Hello, this is Shelley Ridgewell, calling in from the 35^th annual RIMS Canada conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The RIMS Canada conference is the second largest risk management conference in the world. Held annually, the conference and its exhibit hall attracts over one thousand risk managers and business communities from across Canada and around the world.

It’s been a very busy couple of days here at the Delta Hoteland people are still arriving to attend the conference.We had a few minor delays with flights coming in this morning due to weather – wind, rain and fog – but I think we’re caught up now.

General R.J. Hillier was one of the keynote speakers today to discuss corporate and military risk management strategies. The former Chief of Defense staff for Canadian Forces was born inNewfoundland and Labrador so there was a warm, fuzzy St. John’s welcome for him today.

Dr. Richard LeBlanc also presented a session on enabling and empowering the risk manager, which was also very well-received.

Another session that was generating a lot of buzz with the delegates today was the "Ten Things that Keep a Risk Manager Up at Night", presented by Robert Patzlet, Q.C. senior Vice President, Risk Management and General Counsel from Scotia Investments Limited.

Delegates I’ve spoken with are rating the caliber of presentersvery high and all of the topics seem to be of interest to just about everyone.

Exhibitors here are also in their second day, with over 72 companies represented including Zurich, GCAN Insurance Company, Wills Canada, On Side Restoration, Investigations Canada, Claims Canada and A.M. Best Company, just to name a few.

In addition to all of the meeting and greeting going on in the exhibitor hall, there are, as always, fantastic freebies and great prizes to be won, including a trip to Barbados which I am keeping my fingers crossed for!

One thing that I’m particularly amazed at by the conference organization is the companion program provided for spouses of the delegates. The conference planning committee has really gone out of its way to ensure that the spouses are well-taken care of. Some of the tours are going to Cape Spear, the harbor and other events throughout the week.

For anyone who’s ever hesitant about attending the RIMS conference, or has any worries or concerns about entertaining their spouses, you don’t have to worry about it with this conference. It’s quite an amazing service and program that the spouses can take advantage of.

St. John’s is an absolutely stunning backdrop for the RIMS conference. The hospitality has been phenomenal and everything’s run like clockwork so far.

Tonight there are a few pub crawls planned, as well as a cocktail reception hosted by Barbados Delegation at the Sheraton Hotel. And no doubt that delegates will also partake in the local “screeching” ritual. Screeching someone visiting Newfoundland for the first time is a long-time custom of many of the bars in the province, in which a person has to drink a shot of screech,kiss a cod fish on the mouth and answer the question of "Is ye an honorary Newfoundlander?" with the phrase "'deed I is me old trout, and long may your big jib draw." After completing these tasks, you receive an official screecher certificate.

So we’re all having a fun time here in St. John’s and I’ll be in touch again tomorrow with another daily report from the RIMS Canada conference.

For ILSTV, I’m Shelley Ridgewell.