The Bermuda Business Development Agency is to travel to New York City next month for its first executive forum in more than two years - a half-day event with senior decision makers.

The BDA said its activities on May 11 at Convene, One Liberty Plaza, Liberty Street in the heart of the city’s financial district will begin with a series of closed door, business development meetings with NYC prospects focusing on climate resiliency, technology, high net worth services and asset management.

Open event proceedings follow in the afternoon, beginning with a keynote fireside chat between Bermuda’s Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason Hayward, and BDA CEO, David Hart.

Mr Hayward said: “This event builds upon the BDA’s climate risk road shows in NYC which took place late last year.

“During these road shows, the Bermuda delegation engaged with leading global capital allocators, with combined assets under management of nearly $11 trillion, and these are among the individuals we are seeking to engage with again, at this upcoming executive forum.”

Mr Hart said: “We thank our partners in government and the private sector who are coming to New York City ready to share the many attributes of investing in and operating a business from Bermuda.

“And we are also grateful for the generous sponsorship support from Ocorian and Bittrex Global, which enables us to put together such an important event in New York City.”

The forum's first thought leadership panel is “Why Bermuda? Cross-Sector Solutions” and will be moderated by Suzanne Williams-Charles, director of policy and regulation, corporate secretary and data privacy officer at the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers.

Panellists include Patrick Tannock, chairman, Association of Bermuda International Companies; Elizabeth Denman, vice-president, Alternative Investment Management Association; Stafford Lowe of Next Bermuda; and Michael Neff, chairman, Bermuda Bankers Association.

The second panel focuses on innovation in Bermuda and will be moderated by Lauren Berry, managing editor, deputy NYC bureau chief, Bloomberg News.

Panellists include Stephen Weinstein, chairman of the BDA; Fiona Beck, BDA board member; Brian Dusek, VP, head of Americas, cyber, Mosaic; and Joe Ziolkowski, CEO and co-founder, Relm.

Mr Hayward said: “Bermuda continues to deliver innovative products and services to market quickly yet safely in a sandbox environment. This second panel will show just how far ahead Bermuda is in the areas of climate resiliency and innovative technology.”

The BDA will host a c-suite networking reception following the forum.

Forum attendees will be entered for a chance to win a weekend getaway for two to Bermuda, staying at The Loren at Pink Beach.