Q. What is the E-Fusion Conference?
A. E-Fusion is the name for A.M. Best’s Insurance and Technology conference. In the 15 years since that series began, the focus has shifted to keep up with emerging issues in insurance operations, regulation, management and information, all from a technology perspective.

Q. What does “E-Fusion” mean?
A. E-Fusion refers to the powerful implications of the electronic revolution for the insurance industry--implications that, like the power of atomic energy, carry with them risk as well as opportunity. The goal of the E-Fusion Conference is to help insurance professionals harness the potential of today’s technology while adhering to sound business principles and fiscal good sense.

Q. Who attends E-Fusion?
A. We draw a diverse group. In descending order of turnout, they include people representing insurance carriers, insurance distributors such as brokers and independent agencies, investment bankers and technology providers.

Q. Why should I attend?
A. Attendees should expect to gain a clear understanding of the approach to technology-as-strategic-advantage employed by a selection of leading insurers, technology providers and technology experts. Our philosophy is to invite speakers who will focus on ‘execution’ issues and ask them to draw heavily from their own experience in making presentations. Attendees will also mingle with peers from technology, marketing, distribution and leadership positions across the insurance industry. It’s a hands-on conference that focuses on real-world issues of implementation, strategy and justifying investment in technology, not on abstract concepts.

Q. Just how technical is the information presented at E-Fusion?
A. Much of the discussion involves technology, but from the point of view of real-world insurers and those in various facets of insurance. We do not assume our attendees are software engineers, programmers or IT professionals. In fact, many of our attendees are from management, marketing, finance, underwriting, competitive intelligence and other fields within the insurance industry. We do ask our speakers to include information about the technology used, and we focus very much on emerging technology-based standards that will dominate the insurance environment.

Q. How many people attend?
A. Over the course of the past 15 years we have typically drawn between 250 and 300 attendees, depending on the location and capacity of the hotel. In 2000, the last year this was held, we drew nearly 350 attendees and had to halt registration two weeks prior to deadline.

Q. How can I become a speaker or presenter at E-Fusion?
A. Through our activities in the insurance industry, and especially by examining our own news coverage in Best’s Review, BestWeek and BestWire, we identify and invite people who are engaged in interesting activities or have unusual expertise. However, we welcome inquiries from organizations and individuals who believe they would have something of interest to present to a sophisticated insurance audience. Presenting at our conference is an excellent way to raise visibility in the insurance industry; for that reason, we screen carefully to make sure our presentations are not overtly promotional or sales-oriented. If you have an idea for a presentation, send it to lee.mcdonald@ambest.com.

Q. Do you pay speaker honorariums?
A. No. All speakers receive complimentary admission to E-Fusion. In unusual or extenuating circumstances, A.M. Best may be able to assist with arrangements or suggest an alternate solution; please contact us to discuss if you feel this applies to your situation.

Q. Do you have an exhibit area?
A. Because our conference is focused primarily on information, we don’t have an exhibit hall. We don’t have separate opportunities for companies to showcase products or services. However, companies that attend the conference are free to make available hospitality areas for socializing and networking opportunities.

Q. Where are your future E-Fusion events?
A. We typically plan one year in advance. Our 2003 conference is tentatively slated for Philadelphia, Pa. We will announce full details at our 2002 event.

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