| Welcome from Thrivent Financial |
It’s my distinct pleasure, on behalf of all of us who work at Thrivent Financial, and our nearly two million members, to welcome you to the 2015 ICMIF Biennial Conference and the city of Minneapolis.
Between the glitz of Los Angeles and bustle of New York spans the American Midwest, and Minneapolis sits at its northernmost reaches like a shining jewel in its crown. From vast forests to our north to the rich farmland in the south, Minneapolis stands at a crossroads that welcomes all visitors.
Here begins the vast Great Plains—breadbasket to the nation. Here also lie the roots of industries that helped weave our abundant natural resources into the material of a new nation.
Yet from the very beginning, it has been the rhythms of our lakes, rivers, and streams have best defined the allure of Minneapolis. Indeed its very name means, “City of Waters”. The rushing water of the Mississippi River powered the mills of old that helped build cities across our nation and fed the hungry around the world.
Today, Minneapolis has evolved to a centre for technology, research, innovation and the arts. Even so, in the ancient lakes that continue to adorn the city, you still might hear the haunting cries of loons if you are lucky.
There is a reason why many consider this unique place our nation’s heartland. In the American imagination, it’s a place of hard-working people—thrifty, strong in character and devoted to family. The same cooperative spirit that binds us together as members of ICMIF was a birthright for those who founded our city.
That spirit continues to thrive here to this day, and it’s why we at Thrivent have called this city home for almost 100 years.
For these reasons, and more, it is altogether fitting that Minneapolis serve as the backdrop for our 2015 Conference. We extend our hands to you in friendship, knowing your presence here enriches us. And it’s our sincerest hope to return the favour!
Brad Hewitt
CEO, Thrivent Financial
| Welcome from ICMIF |
Welcome to the 2015 ICMIF Biennial Conference in Minneapolis, USA. Perhaps surprisingly, this is only the second ICMIF Conference to be held in the USA in the Federation’s 93-year history.
It’s thanks to the foresight of Brad Hewitt and his team at Thrivent Financial that in 2015 we are bringing the best of the mutual and cooperative insurance sector’s leaders to Minneapolis, a beautiful city in the cooperative heartland of the USA.
This year’s ICMIF Conference has a lot to live up to after the 2013 Cape Town Conference which attracted record delegate numbers and our highest ever delegate feedback scores. But records are there to be broken and we are determined to make this conference bigger, better and even more dynamic.
The Conference is an opportunity for us to showcase the great work that the sector is doing in the three key focus areas of the new ICMIF strategy which was launched at the beginning of 2015: influence, knowledge and networking.
The conference slogan ‘More than insurance’ reflects the difference and added value that cooperative and mutual insurers offer their markets. They go beyond what is normally expected of an insurer for the benefit of their customer-members; putting them at the centre of the business; from product development, underwriting and investments, to sales, service and claims. They also demonstrate a far wider level of responsibility by supporting local communities, combating climate change and alleviating poverty. It is these aspects of mutual and cooperative businesses that make them ‘More than’ just insurers.
This year’s Conference will be unlike any other. On the first day, we focus on global market influences and the leading role that ICMIF now plays. World-renowned speakers and key influencers from organizations including the United Nations, the G20, the OECD and the IAIS will also feature.
The momentum is maintained on the second day as we focus on leadership with contributions from internationally recognized business thought leaders including Mike Pritula, head of McKinsey & Company’s global insurance and financial services practice, looking at the latest trends and innovations in our industry. On day three, we look at our competitive differentiation, including a presentation from entrepreneur and 2014 Co-Chair of the Youth 20 (Y20), Holly Ransom.
All ICMIF member organizations are encouraged to participate in ICMIF’s governance, exercise their voting rights and hear from the Chairman and Chief Executive by attending the ICMIF General Meeting which this year will take place before the Conference, on Tuesday 6 October. The 2015 ICMIF Conference really is the must-attend event of the year and a great opportunity for our sector to demonstrate how it provides more than insurance. See you in Minneapolis.
Shaun Tarbuck
Chief Executive, The International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF)
