17th ANNUAL CONFERENCE San Francisco 2015
A shot of the famous Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco from the Marin Headlands on a foggy day. THiA EXECUTIVE TEAM CONFERENCE COMMITTEE PRESIDENT Alex Bittner TREASURER Lambert Boenders Nordic Insurance Software Conference Co-Chairman VICE-PRESIDENT Will McAleer PAST PRESIDENT John Thain DAVID EWING Manulife Travel Insurance Travel Underwriters SECRETARY Richard Ollier Allianz Global Assistance Assurant Solutions Canada MICHAEL CAMACHO CSI Brokers Inc. Skyservice Air Ambulance Inc. Conference Co-Chairman WARREN BROWN THiA Executive Administrator PAULETTE FOSTER RSA RYAN LEE Olympus Managed Health Care WENDA MONTGOMERY Park Re Canada MARTHA TURNBULL RBC Insurance
President s Message 2015 Conference It is not very often that you find yourself involved in something truly special. I expect THiA s upcoming annual conference in San Francisco to be one of those opportunities. We have arranged for an action packed lineup of speakers and events that will contribute to an exhilarating conference experience. Our conference committee continues to be challenged year after year to find the perfect venue. Our demands are significant exceptional learning opportunities, great weather and a fun environment. The committee has done us proud. Their professionalism, dedication, and hard work researching and attending to many painstaking details make our conferences the envy of the industry. For those of you who have not been to San Francisco before, you are in for a treat. The area boasts some of the most famous tourist attractions in the United States. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge or journey up to the famous Twin Peaks for a breathtaking view of the city by the bay. Jump on a cable car to Fisherman s Wharf or head over to Chinatown for a first class meal. I encourage you to check out Lombard Street which has claimed the moniker of being the crookedest street in the world. And, if you have been to San Francisco before, I hope you share my enthusiasm for another opportunity to explore this vibrant city. The Conference hotel is the Westin St. Francis, a historic building right in Union Square, a tourist attraction in itself. I look forward to seeing you at the cocktail reception on Sunday, April 12th, 2015 to kick-off a conference of a lifetime! Cheers, Alex Bittner President, Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada
The Benefits of Sponsorship THiA 2015 Conference Participation in the THiA Annual Conference speaks to your commitment to the travel health insurance sector. This conference will be your opportunity to connect with leaders and decision makers from across North America. Sponsorship is a great way to show off your company s brand and support of the association, but there are limited opportunities available! For Conference 2015 Event Sponsorship Information, please contact: Ryan Lee via e-mail at rlee@omhc.com Locally in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) 647.317.5730 Ext. 268 or toll-free at 1-800-250-3271 Ext. 268 A shot of Seals/Sea lions at San Francisco s Pier 39. THiA Gives Back Charitable Project Sponsorship This year, we will be continuing the social responsibility project that was kicked off last year in Nashville. Instead of promoting show bag Sponsorships for our conference, we are using those resources to help the homeless and less fortunate residents of San Francisco. The THiA conference committee has partnered with Clean the World Foundation, Inc. (http:// cleantheworld.org/) a US-based nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization dedicated to reducing the waste created by discarded soap and shampoo products. Clean the World provides individual kits to those in need that consists of soap, shampoo, conditioner, a toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, razor, washcloth along with an inspirational note. These items have been re-purposed from hotels left over products. THiA is committed to making a positive impact on our host community. Clean the World not only saves lives but also eliminates millions of tons of hotel waste from polluting local landfills.
Conference Schedule THiA 2015 Conference Registration: Sunday, April 12th, 2015 Monday, April 13th, 2015 4:00 pm 6:00 pm 8:00 am 8:30 am Sessions: (Includes refreshment breaks) Monday, April 13th, 2015 Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 Wednesday, April 15th, 2015 8:30 am 12:00 pm 8:30 am 12:00 pm 8:30 am 12:00 pm Networking Breakfasts: Breakfast (Daily) 7:30 am 8:30 am Special Events: Kick-Off Cocktails Closing Night Event Sunday, April 12th, 2015 6:00 pm 8:00 pm Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 6:00 pm 10:30 pm Optional Events: Annual Golf Tournament Sights and Sounds of San Francisco Tour Napa Valley Wine Tour Monday, April 13th, 2015 1:00 pm 6:00 pm Monday, April 13th, 2015 1:00 pm 5:00 pm Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 12:45 pm 6:15 pm
Confirmed Speakers THiA Conference 2015 David Foot, Author of the number-one bestseller Boom Bust & Echo: How to Profit from the Coming Demographic Shift Tod Maffin, Digital Technology and Marketing Guru Ron Tite, Branding and Creativity Expert Brian Price, 2012 Olympic Silver & 2008 Olympic Gold medalist, Men s Eight Coxswain, Canada Tom Roth, Community Marketing Inc. Jill McCutcheon, Partner Borden Ladner Gervais, LLP Nadine Nasr, Partner, Thomas Gold Pettingill LLP In addition, former THiA President Martha Turnbull, will moderate a panel on the topic of Voice of the Customer from three different perspectives: media, the insurance advisor community and the regulator. Joining Martha on stage will be: Tassie Notar, former Producer, CBC Marketplace Mark Halpern, Illness Protection.com Brigitte Goulard, Deputy Commissioner, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Daniel Durazo, Director, Communications, USA, Allianz Global Assistance A shot of the North beach district in San Francisco - the prominent San Francisco Landmark Transamerica building is placed on the right. To the left, lights of the Bay Bridge and Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral can be seen.
The Host Hotel The Westin St. Francis on Union Square More than just a hotel, The Westin St. Francis on Union Square has been a celebrated destination since 1904. The Westin St. Francis is a fixture among the city s hotels and its landmark lobby has been a popular gathering spot for generations of travelers with its white marble columns, ornate balconies and intricate woodwork which transports guests back to the elegance of yesteryear. In addition, the hotel features include: Classic accommodations, with amenities including the revolutionary Heavenly Beds and Heavenly Baths Attentive service and amenities, with a commitment to guest renewal and relaxation Spectacular onsite cuisine, including the renowned BOURBON STEAK restaurant Proximity to exciting attractions, including shopping and theaters, with a cable car stop outside the front door Located in the heart of San Francisco on Union Square, a short walk from the Financial District, Chinatown and Moscone Convention Center
Conference Registration & Fees Early Bird Rates for THiA & UStiA MEMBERS ONLY are available until Monday, February 17th, 2015. Fees (CAD) THiA Early Bird for THiA & UStiA Members Only $895 (on or before Monday, February 16th, 2015) THiA & UStiA Members Only $995 (after Tuesday, February 17th, 2015) Non-Members $1,295 Special Events for Guests Fees Spouse/Non-Business Guest (All Social Events) $150 (includes Kick-Off Cocktail reception on Sunday, April 12th, access to Networking Breakfasts, and Closing Night Event on Tuesday, April 14th) Spouse/Non-Business Guest (Closing Event) $100 (includes the Closing Night Event on Tuesday April 14th only) Please note: Business partners or business guests are not permitted access to the Special Events as noted above. Spouses and non-business guests are not permitted access to educational sessions. Optional Events for Registrants & Guests Fees (CAD) Golf (Monday, April 13th, 2015) $170 Golf Club Rental $56 Sights and Sounds of San Francisco Tour $125 (Monday, April 13th 2015) Napa Valley Wine Tour (Tuesday, April 14th 2015) $200 Delegate Registration Fees (Per Person) Based on CAD$ Delegate fees include Educational Sessions, Networking Breakfasts, Refreshment Breaks, Kick-Off Cocktail Reception, & Closing Night Eve REGISTRATION REFUNDS: The following cancellation penalties apply: Up to Monday March 2nd, 2015, 100% REFUND LESS 50$ ADMINISTRATION FEE PER REGISTRANT From Tuesday March 3rd, 2015 to Friday March 27th, 2015, 50% REFUND OF CONFERENCE FEES After Friday March 27th, 2015 NO REFUNDS AVAILABLE We strongly encourage you to ensure you have appropriate travel insurance coverage as we will not consider registration refunds outside of the above noted policy. HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Special Hotel Conference Rates: Room Rate: $239 USD per night plus applicable taxes. To ensure availability at this rate, please reserve your hotel room early. Reservations can be made by following the special link at: www.thiaonline.com.
Conference Events Special & Optional Special Events Our 10th Annual THIA Golf Classic will be played at the Presidio Golf Course. One of the oldest courses on the West coast, the Presidio has a storied history dating back to 1895 and is located within a national park. At one time, the Club was restricted to military officers and private club members. It has been open to the public since 1995. Located just minutes from downtown San Francisco, this 18-hole course plays 6,500 yards from the blue tees. Optional Events Our Sights and Sounds of San Francisco Tour tour will allow you to experience the sights and sounds of this unique and breathtaking metropolis. To mention only a few highlights, we will take in such famous icons as the Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, Lombard Street, Fisherman s Wharf, the Palace of Fine Arts, Grace Cathedral, the Japanese Tea Garden as well as Chinatown. Our day would not be complete without the inclusion of Alcatraz which was the site of the first lighthouse in the Western United States but became a federal penitentiary from 1934-1963, housing famous convicts such as Al Capone and George Machine Gun Kelly. Lunch will be included. Napa Valley Wine Country Tour will take us north of San Francisco enjoying the scenic drive over the Golden Gate Bridge savoring the views of San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz before making our way into wine country. We ll enjoy the rustic scenery as we travel down roads where vineyards and lush landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see. Our guides will share stories as we meander through the picturesque valleys of grapes to our selected wineries for tasting and lunch. The wine extravaganza is a unique and memorable opportunity to experience the best of the Napa wine country first hand! Register on-line at www.thiaonline.com and follow the link to THiA s 2015 Conference Event. Refunds for all registered events are not available after Friday, March 27th, 2015 A shot of the Palace of fine arts, San Francisco.
Brochure Design: Courtesy of Olympus Managed Health Care A shot of Cable Car going up hill, with Alcatraz in the background