Bermuda Angle, and the 10th International Reinsurance Congress, presented by Coopers & Lybrand in association with Hawksmere.

The Bermuda Angle will feature the hosting of more than 100 mostly North American (buy and sell side) analysts for an update on publicly traded Bermuda companies.

Typically, the meetings, on Monday and Tuesday, include hour-long presentations from companies such as ACE, XL, Mutual Risk Management and Mid Ocean Re.

The Tenth International Reinsurance Congress is at the Princess Hotel from Wednesday to Friday, a significant event for insurance and reinsurance professionals, brokers, underwriters, regulators lawyers, accountants and other market participants from around the world.

It is being opened by Premier David Saul, who is heading an impressive panel of speakers. Last year's Congress was a sell out, with participants from at least 23 countries.

This year it will include new themes, such as the CEO's perspective, a session focusing on the strategic visions needed to enhance operations.

Evolution of Lloyd's includes a discussion of their solutions to recent problems, a review on why new investors believe in Lloyd's future, and what the competition believe that future is.

There will also be a debate on government's role in catastrophe reinsurance funding.

Questions to be explored include: If as a result of the overwhelming potential for loss from catastrophic events, is the only real solution a government catastrophe reinsurance fund to provide protection for these types of events? Another issue is the strengthening of capital through mergers, acquisitions and capital raising. Insurers and reinsurers have been increasingly active in the capital markets, through IPOs, attracting large sums from financial investors. This session will discuss why Wall Street and private investment funds are so interested in the insurance industry.