next week to Atlanta for the annual conference of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM), this year themed "Bringing Home the Gold: Risk Management Excellence.'' The organising body for ASHRM `97 represents more than 2,000 North American risk management professionals working in the US health care sector. About 100 health care captive insurance companies are domiciled in Bermuda. Captive managers and commercial insurers here regard the health care industry as a potential source of much new business.

An exhibit booth is being set up at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the site of the conference October 26-29, the second year that Bermuda will be featured in the exhibition. The Bermuda market will also have a presence on the conference programme -- a presentation by president of the Bermuda Insurance Management Association Alan Cossar, representing more than 40 Bermuda-based captive management companies.

Mr. Cossar will be on an ASHRM panel of experts reviewing alternative risk financing vehicles for the health care industry. The panel will compare risk financing vehicles and domiciles in relation to their flexibility, ownership, cost and administration.

The panel is one of 35 sessions, educational forums, special interest group workshops and seminars at the four day conference. The Bermuda insurance industry's presence at ASHRM is being run by the marketing committee of the Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC). The marketing committee's tactical marketing responsibilities include the annual RIMS (Risk & Insurance Management Society, Inc.) conference and other international meetings.

Bermuda's team includes Registrar of Companies Kymn Astwood, Skandia International's Rob Rosser, Bank of Butterfield's Pell Price, Independent Management Group president Peter Strong, Triangle Insurance Management president Bruce Fenton, Price Waterhouse's Richard Patching, law firm Smith, Barnard & Diel's John Cunningham, Aon Risk Services' George Blee, Cox & Wilkinson lawyer Marty Brandt, Ernst & Young's Jeff Webb and director of information for the Bermuda insurance market, Roger Scotton. ASHRM delegates who visit the Bermuda booth in Atlanta will be eligible for a draw for two round trip airline tickets on USAir and a four day stay at the Marriott Castle Harbour Hotel.