Every two years, the feedback we receive from our Biennial Conference always highlights one thing… the ICMIF Conference is “more than a conference”. It is more than a convention or gathering, but a pinnacle event which facilitates transformation, innovation, and strategic alignment for leaders in the mutual/cooperative insurance sector. This Conference provides a unique platform where CEOs and other senior executives from ICMIF members around the globe come together, share insights, and draw inspiration from each other to advance their own businesses in their respective local markets. In this blog, published just 100 days before the 2024 Biennial Conference, we take inspiration from the testimonials from a number of member CEOs and discuss why the ICMIF Conference is considered indispensable by many industry leaders in our sector and highlight how attending the event provides unrivalled strategic value.
A confluence of shared experiences and strategic insights
Mark Palmberg Steele, CEO of GF Forsikring in Denmark, encapsulates the essence of the ICMIF Conference’s impact, saying: “The Centenary Conference in Rome (2022) was my first ICMIF Conference and I was, to be honest, literally blown away by the event, with all the similarities between my organisation and other ICMIF members and the fact that we are all experiencing the same things,” Steele remarked. This sense of shared experience is a cornerstone of the conference, allowing leaders to realise that despite regional differences, their challenges and opportunities are remarkably similar and that there is much they can learn from each other.
Steele continues, “Following the Conference in Rome, I came home and more or less within a half a year we started to create a new strategy process for GF Forsikring which then started on 1 January 2024 and which we will use going forward.” Thus illustrating the immediate, actionable insights which leaders gain from the Conference, further underscoring its strategic value for ICMIF member organisations.
Inspiration and practical takeaways
For Ylva Wessén, President and CEO of Folksam in Sweden, the ICMIF Conference serves as an ongoing source of inspiration. “When I engage with our Young Leaders at ICMIF Conferences and witness their understanding of the broader ICMIF community and their recognition of Folksam’s role within it is truly invaluable,” she states. For Ylva and other members, the Conference not only reaffirms the role of each organisation within the global mutual/cooperative community but also members tell us it fuels leadership inspiration across all levels.
Seada van den Herik, CEO of Onderlinge ‘s-Gravenhage in the Netherlands, says she found the Conference particularly enlightening regarding strategic priorities and global trends. “Meeting mutuals from around the world enriched my perspective, providing valuable insights that we have integrated into our strategy. Our aim is to position ourselves as the leading financial institution in the Netherlands for seniors (50+),” van den Herik shares. This is feedback we regularly hear from members who attend the Conference, that the ability to learn from peers from around the world and then apply the insights that have been gained at a local level is further testament to the Conference’s strategic impact.
Addressing global challenges locally
Many members tell us one of the most profound aspects of the ICMIF Conference is its focus on global issues such as sustainability and climate change, and how these can be addressed by mutual insurers. “It was impressive to observe how these insurers collaborate and partner with the United Nations to address major issues like climate change,” van den Herik adds. This global perspective, combined with practical examples from regions already facing severe weather challenges, underscores the Conference’s relevance in terms of current and future strategic planning for member companies wherever they may be based.
Darin Lord Nessel, President and CEO of Mutual Fire Insurance in Canada, echoes this sentiment. “While attending the ICMIF Conference in Rome, I was more than enlightened by the speakers/leaders from all over the world. The takeaways from this Conference more than exceeded my expectations, so much so that I actually learned something important about myself. Sustainability matters!” Nessel’s experience highlights the personal and organisational transformations inspired by the Conference, again leading to concrete actions and strategic initiatives back home.
Building a network of peers for mutual collaboration
The value of networking at the ICMIF Conference cannot be overstated. Mark Palmberg Steele notes, “I was able to bring insights back to put to use at GF and I would like to be able to give back to other ICMIF member companies. So I’m definitely looking forward to Argentina later this year to meet up with the connections from Rome and to network more because those relationships and the ICMIF network is very, very valuable for us in GF.” The enduring connections and ongoing dialogues fostered by the Conference create a supportive community of leaders across our sector who continuously learn from each other.
As the flagship ICMIF event, attending the Biennial Conference is a pivotal experience that provides strategic value unparalleled by other industry gatherings. Through shared experiences, inspirational insights, practical takeaways, and a robust network of mutual collaboration, leaders are equipped to drive their businesses forward to thrive in the ever-evolving insurance landscape of the future.
The next ICMIF Biennial Conference will take place in Buenos Aires (Argentina) from 12 to 15 November 2024. Visit the Conference website for full information on the agenda and speakers, more testimonials from senior leaders on the benefits of attending, the conference hotel and local area, and how to register to join us.
