CICA conference declared a no handshake zone

The Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA) Conference has been declared a “no handshake” event by its organisers, in order to protect delegates from the possibility of COVID-19 contagion.

With California declaring a state of emergency following new cases of coronavirus infections, there have been questions about whether the conference should go ahead.

But in an email to delegates, Dan Towle, president of CICA, stressed the declaration is not meant to stop travel or business. Rather, an emergency declaration loosens up regulations to allow state agencies to procure medical supplies and resources faster.

Towle noted that other insurance organisations are also going ahead with large conferences in coming weeks, including the Risk Management Society (RIMS), the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Insurance Innovators, the PLRB Claims Conference and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC).CICA’s preparations are in line with those of these other conferences, he said.

CICA advised all delegates attending the conference to take all precautions to avoid the spread of the virus, and asked anyone who had been planning to attend, who felt sick, to stay away.

Conference organisers will provide hand sanitisers for staff and guests, and clean highly touched objects and surfaces regularly throughout the conference to minimise risk, CICA added.

“The Westin has implemented rigorous housekeeping practices in all areas and a zero-tolerance regarding associates and leaders who are not feeling at their best reporting to work,” added Towle.