RIMS 2000: Year of the Internet.

Insurers say they're putting technology talk into action.

A record number of participants at the Risk & Insurance Management Society Inc.'s annual conference and exhibition in San Francisco grappled with changes in risk management, especially the impact of rapidly advancing technology and the "firming" of commercial insurance rates.

Preliminary numbers confirmed that the 2000 conference, which was held April 30 to May 5 and celebrated RIMS's 50th anniversary, had the largest number ever of attendees and exhibits, said Susan Meltzer, assistant vice president, insurance and risk management, Sun Life Financial of Canada, and former RIMS president. The previous record was set at the 1990 conference in Boston, she said.

The 2000 conference was characterized by a growing interest in new technology, including the Internet and risk-management systems, and a substantial presence of technology offerings on the exhibition floor.

"Last year, risk managers were talking about the Internet," said John F. Ryan, vice president of commercial marketing, Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., Boston. "This year they're doing it." A survey conducted by Liberty Mutual and released at the conference revealed that four out of five risk managers surveyed said they spend at least two hours a week on the Internet in their jobs, and 25% reported they spend more than five hours a week online.

Although the official theme of the 2000 RIMS conference was "Building a Stronger Future From a Rich Past," it probably should have been the "Conference of the Internet," Ryan said.

Risk managers at the conference were also talking about rising commercial insurance rates. Liberty Mutual's survey showed increased rates and changes caused by insurance company mergers and acquisitions was the biggest issue risk managers think they will face in 2000.

Risk managers …