The most authoritative source of
consulting, information, training and conferences on international benefits
and human resources in the world.
Program of Sessions & Events
The 2009 program will be updated as speakers are confirmed. Please check this site regularly for updates.
To view a specific date (11- 15 May), use the clickable tabs beneath the table below. Speaker bios can be found on a separate webpage, and are linkable from the table below by clicking on the speaker's name.
View the "Track" column to determine if a session is part of IBIS Institute (Monday 11 May through Friday), IBIS Conference (Wednesday through Friday), or IBIS Academy (for attendees from both tracks).
A downloadable XLS version of this program can be found here.
Conference/Academy Session Descriptions: ****SESSION NUMBERS BELOW WILL BE UPDATED SOON. PLEASE REFER TO THE TABLE ABOVE FOR ACCURATE TIMES AND SESSION PLACEMENT - 7 MAY 2009****
Please note IBIS Institute sessions are not described below. Please address specific questions to info@ibisacademy.com.
20 – Keynote Address – Kenneth W. Porter, Senior Vice President, International Benefits &
Chief Actuary, American Benefits Council
A new U.S. President and a realigned U.S. Congress came on
board in January, and the “100 day honeymoon” is over. Mr. Porter will discuss
the somewhat competing healthcare objectives of increased quality, access to
coverage, uniform IT standards and affordability. In addition, he will discuss
recent migration from defined benefits plans toward defined contribution plans,
in light of the global economic crisis.
21 – Henk Becquaert, Member of Management Committee, CBFA (Belgian Control Authority)
Pension Funds : Opportunities for Belgium
Increasingly, companies are drawn to Pan-European pension funds, due in part to the risks presented by pensions,and because few companies consider pension funds to be their core business. Belgium offers a solution with a flexible organization of the pension fund, featuring a low rate of taxation and a “prudent person principle” framework that builds on diversity.
The CBFA is an integrated supervisor with years of experience monitoring different financial sectors and evaluating their organization, performance, asset/liabilities management, and compliance with the “prudent person principle.” Pensions institutions falling under the CBFA’s purview include those small and large, mirroring the range of pensions systems available throughout Europe.
22 – Keynote Address – Prof. Yves Stevens, Belgian Occupational Pension Commission (President) and Professor of Social Law, KU Leuven (Belgium)
Governmental Pension Policies in Times of Economic Turmoil: How do Governments React to Economic Uncertainty? Lessons for Employers
In times of economic turmoil, the state plays a major role in shaping the impact on pensions, whether it is through a significant modification of the public system or through changes to the regulations and incentives for the private system (such as funded vs. unfunded systems). Politicians responsible for these changes do not necessarily understand the finesses of the pensions schemes they aim to bolster. As governments return to the"fundamentals," occupational pensions tend to fall out of favor and lose their former state incentives. Depending on past attitudes toward pensions, governments launch various plans -- stabilization plans, rehab plans, guarantee plans, financing plans --all of which will have a lasting impact on the pensions environment.
The global history of social security is a permanently evolving mixture of interconnected forces. Under current conditions, which solutions will be most profitable for the state? What is the best protection for pensioners? Who will pay for which burden?
24 – Robert Chambers, Partner, McGuire Woods, LLP
Legal Framework Benefits in US
This session will provide a broad overview of the legal
framework, legislative and regulatory, for employee benefits provided by
employers in the
United
States. This discussion will be geared
toward those attendees who are either not familiar with the
U.S. benefits environment, or would benefit from
a holistic understanding of the
U.S.
benefits system.
25 – Bob Hartley, VP Global Compensation and Benefits, Sanmina-SCI
Equity Programs in Turbulent Times
With the combination of regulatory changes, investor activism and a turbulent stock market, organizations' employee equity programs are facing unprecedented challenges. This presentation will look at how equity programs have evolved, how changes over the last two years have impacted them, and what companies are doing in response.
A look at the current pensions system in Spain, including social security, occupational schemes, pension design and redesign (moving from DB to DC), the role of trustees, funding requirements, investment strategy, taxation, and pension scheme governance.
28 – Dr. Reinhardt Schink, Vice President, Allianz S.E. Group Economic Research and Development
Impact of the Financial Crisis on the Occupational Pension Market
In this session, Dr. Schink uses the topic to investigate issues of market structure, business models, and strategy.
30 – Pam Enright, Director International Benefit Services, Lockton Companies, LLC
Global Healthcare & Medical Tourism
Has your organization considered offering its employees access to Global Healthcare as an alternative to in-country benefits? In this session, we will cover the pros and cons of this growing trend of accessing medical care outside one's home country, as well as an overview of some leading options available in the market today.
31 – Henry Henkel, Regional Sales Director (Americas), AEGON Global Pensions
De-Risking: Lessons from the U.S.
Coming from a US perspective, Henry will lead us to some insights in other de-risking markets in Europe. He will also talk about the right timing for de-risking in pensions.
Lunch & Learn by AEGON – Heleen Vaandrager, Product Development Manger, AEGON Global Pensions
A Global Approach to Pensions in Today's World
Having given a brief overview of current pension practices in Europe, Heleen will discuss the opportunities for adopting a more global approach to pensions – and the advantages of doing so. The discussion will be placed within the context of today’s difficult business environment and will also address potential developments for the future.
Lunch & Learn by Lockton – Pam Enright, Director International Benefit Services, Lockton Companies, LLC
Cross-Border Benefits
Lunch & Learn by All Net – Dr. Reinhardt Schink, Vice President, Allianz S.E. Group Economic Research & Development
Impact of the Financial Crisis on the Occupational Pension Market
In this session, Dr. Schink will examine such questions as: How will the financial crisis change the market structure? Do governments’ and regulatory responses create a "new game"? What changes can we expect in customer preferences? What challenges and opportunities does the crisis present to the financial industry? What are likely consequences for business models and for the design of pension schemes?
32 – KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Angel Martínez-Aldama, Chairman, European Federation for Retirement Provision (INVERCO)
Framework for EU Legislation
Mr. Aldama will review the current EU legislation framework drawing from experience gained in his multiple roles, including Chairman of the European Federation for Retirement Provision (Brussels), Managing Director of INVERCO (Spain’s Association of Investment and Pension Funds), and board member of additional pensions associations in Europe and the Americas.
33 – PANEL: Fred Thiele (Intel), Duane Olson (Deere & Co.), Ken Porter (American Benefits Council); with Joop Rietmulder (Rietmulder CS); moderator: Lynn Dudley, Senior Vice President, Policy, American Benefits Council
Contrasting Benefits Issues in the US and Europe
This panel discussion will permit presenters and
participants from different countries to focus on a specified set of issues and
how those matters are addressed under laws, regulations and practices in
different countries. These will include
fiduciary responsibilities, financial accounting for employee benefits plans,
pension funding, cross-border equity, de-cumulation of retirement assets and
retiree health care.
35 – Dr. Nicole Beiner, NB Risk Control, GM Beiner Conseil D’entreprises SA
Selected Topics in Risk Management of Pension Funds
Private pensions in the OECD area have registered losses equivalent to USD 5 trillion during the ongoing financial crisis, representing nearly 20% of their assets. These huge losses, with their corresponding funding gaps, highlight once again the importance of strong risk management for people’s retirement savings. This session will review the risks borne by pension funds, focusing then on the elements that are essential to an efficient risk management scheme in both defined benefit and defined contribution systems.
36 – Cassio Giometti (SCIATH, São Paolo) and Wally Bray (IBIS, Buenos Aires)
The Brazilian Private Pension Plan Market & Further Discussions:
Cassio Giometti will discuss pensions in Brazil in its central role in the Mercosur (Southern Common Market) of central/southern South America, including a discussion of Brazil's market size and structure, recent private pension legislation changes, critical issues in complementary pension plans including effects of the world economic crisis, and a look at Brazil's pensions as a piece of the overall benefits package that includes health, life and dental. Wally Bray will round out the session with an update on the liberalization of the Brazilian reinsurance market and will examine multinational pooling as both a threat and an opportunity in this region.
38 – Nicholas Dobelbower, PhD, IBIS Advisors Co.
Legislative Changes Around the World – Critical Updates
This session will highlight major legislative changes and legislative trends occurring in locations and regions worldwide that affect local employee benefits. These include the provision of medical benefits and pensions, changes in labor law, mandatory leave, and the privatization and/or nationalization of pension arrangements.
40 – Rodrigo Quezada, Director General, IBIS Advisors México, S.A. de C.V.
Mexican Health Care
Risk factors associated with lifestyle choices are behind 85% of medical claims and other employer-borne costs and are often preventable and/or reversible. In Mexico, lifestyle is killing thousands of people each year, costing employers millions. While government is starting to see the situation as a national threat,employers are slow to join the cause. Through a review of factual information, this session will attempt to understand the challenging health situation in Mexico and its impact on employers’ bottom lines. Strategically, can the threat of health crisis be seen as an opportunity, both in Mexico and beyond?
41 – Ceri Williams & Marc Duguay, Benefits Project Managers, Philip Morris International
Pension Governance within Philip Morris International
42 & 43 – Andrew Crawford, President, Crawford Consulting International
Against the Backdrop of a Turbulent Economy, is your Benefits Consultant Worth the Money? (Parts I and II)
Engage in a process that helps you determine your ideal consultant, analyze any gaps in your service requirements and work collaboratively with your consultant to close those gaps. Special focus will be given to the question "Is your consultant delivering economic value to your organization's bottom line?"
45 – Andrew Crawford, President,Crawford Consulting International
Positioning the Benefits Function as a Key Strategic Partner to HR and Contributor to Organizational Growth
Through “Appreciative Inquiry,” the benefits function engages key HR and non-HR stakeholders in an organization in order to determine how HR can position itself as a strategic player in driving growth and profitability, while ensuring the benefits function’s importance to the organization, especially in tough economic times.
IBIS is pleased to partner with the following sponsors:
Terms & Conditions