On the eve of one of the world’s largest gatherings of captive insurance professionals — the Bermuda Captive Conference (BCC) — organisers have been dealt a huge bonus. The Conference begins on Monday at the Fairmont Southampton Resort.

The anticipated speech next Tuesday morning, by insurance industry luminary Brian Duperreault, has led to a surge of special registrations from Bermuda-based executives — all of whom are women.

By yesterday, more than 80 who are not even registered for the conference, agreed to pay a $25 fee just to hear the speech by Mr Duperreault, chief executive officer of Hamilton Insurance Group — a speech entitled “Where Are the Women?”

Billed as the Market Industry Speaker, Mr Duperreault will discuss the status of women in executive positions in the insurance and reinsurance sector.

It is just one aspect of the good news for this year’s captive conference, but BCC president Thomas McMahon said: “Mr Duperreault’s speech has generated a lot of local interest among women’s groups and over 80 individuals have registered specifically for his speech at a fee of $25. The response has been so great that the funds raised will be matched by the BCC, and the total will be donated to the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies.”

BCC coordinator Rhona Emmerson said that with the special registrations available at www.bermudacaptiveconference.com, the speech venue at the hotel had to be moved from Poinciana Room to the much larger Mid Ocean Amphitheatre.

The Conference — in its tenth year — is facing the potential for a number of records, as hundreds of executives arrive from overseas, many bringing their families to enjoy the Island.

Ms Emmerson said, “This has become a huge event for Bermuda — people here doing real business. It’s exciting with a huge amount of income generated for the Island, and a lot of international exposure through the insurance press.”

Mr McMahon said: “We have a record number of room nights this year, approximately 1,000 at last count. Based on the number of rooms reserved, we have over 240 staying at the hotel from overseas — which is great. I have not done a country breakdown but I expect we will have delegates from more than a dozen different countries.

“We are on target to break last year’s record of registrants of around 700, excluding those who have registered specifically for Duperreault’s speech.

“We have a record number of exhibitors and sponsors this year — 49 at last count — so many that we had to move the registration desk.”

Mr McMahon said that in addition to Mr Duperreault, there are a number of key speakers who will be a huge attraction — including the president of the Risk & Insurance Management Society, Inc (RIMS) Carolyn Snow, the director of risk management for Humana Inc.

“We are delighted that Carolyn Snow is attending the event and her contribution to the business discussions will be useful,” he said.

“This conference is an education opportunity. Delegates come to our event to learn more about the industry and the markets, so they can be more effective risk managers or more effective in whatever their corporate role entails.

“But it showcases Bermuda as a captive domicile and as an insurance and reinsurance domicile — and also as a destination.

“I am hoping that those who already have their captive here will have the decision to domicile here reaffirmed. And I hope those considering the formation of a captive will choose Bermuda as their default domicile. Bermuda is where they should be.”