09.13.2012
The dates for the 68th annual Workers' Compensation Educational Conference are August 18 through 21, 2013. We will return again to our host hotel, the Marriott World Center in Orlando. We are working on speakers and topics now, so watch our website for Conference news as it develops. We hope to see you all in 2013.
08.22.2012
Our final session of this year's conference offers Day 2 of the Breakout on Advanced Mediation Techniques.
The first part of the program, from 8:30 am to 10:10 am on Thursday, will address the unique challenges confronted by a mediator when one or more of the parties to the dispute are a governmental entity such as a city, state, university, public hospital, police department, or other agency.
The discussion will address the problems associated with obtaining settlement authority when many governmental decisions must be ratified by elected officials, legislative bodies or boards, and ways a mediator may deal with the concerns that governmental decision makers have about confidentiality, precedent, re-election, budgetary constraints, and similar considerations. The presentation will weave in a discussion of the implications of politics, the media, interest groups, and how all of these influences affect the ability or willingness of a governmental entity to settle. This session is approved for two credits of “general.”
From 10:20 to Noon, speakers will discuss how breaking impasse in mediation is a process...
08.22.2012
So many sessions, so little time. We know. Our last full day of this year’s WCEC is packed with presentations from 8 am until 4:30 pm.
You can choose from topics as diverse as mediation, Longshore, and medical management and trending. The multi-state session is always a popular session, and we have more states than ever this year. And if you need help navigating the Medicare Secondary Payer world, our breakout on that offers some terrific guides, capped off by a roundtable discussion of even more experts.
The second day of our new Center for Excellence - The Study of Medical Cost Drivers begins at 9 am in the Crystal Ballroom. Today’s topics include chronic pain management, opioid addiction, and curbing cost drivers. Critical issues, expert commentary.
And then there’s the exhibit hall (open today from 9 am to 11 am only), and the Grand Prize drawing at 10:45.
Also, if you’re scouting out new opportunities, check out the Employment Message Board in the main concourse.
08.21.2012
Tuesday was another exceptional day here at the WCEC in Orlando. Dozens and dozens of great sessions, an exhibit hall jammed packed with vendors and “shoppers,” and free time in the evening to visit with friends.
Now it’s on to Day Three!
A few notes about Wednesday: It’s the last chance to visit our vendors in the exhibit hall. They will be there from 8 am to 11 am, then they pack up. Power up first with the Continental Breakfast in the exhibit hall from 8 am to 9 am. The Grand Prize drawing is at 10:45 am, also in the hall.
Over in the meeting rooms, there are lots of great breakouts to choose from, including Medical Management, Medical Issues, Medicare, Mediation, Longshore, Florida DFS, and the ever-popular Multi-State.
Also on Wednesday: the second day of our new Center for Excellence - The Study of Medical Cost Drivers in Workers’ Compensation. Stellar presenters and information.
Have a great day!
08.20.2012
It was a great day at the Conference today! In the Opening General Session industry keynoter Joe Paduda gave his trademark “telling it like it is” talk, and opened quite a few eyes. Then comic Kathy Madigan rocked the room with her jokes, including growing up with a lawyer dad involved in work comp claims. And tonight, Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks the house.
Sessions have been well attended. Standing-room only at some presentations! Tomorrow will be another terrific day. The exhibit hall is open 9 am to 5 pm on Tuesday. Squeeze in a visit between sessions.
If you're taking pictures, send us your photos so we can post them on the website!
Hope you’re all having a great time. We’re glad you’re here.
08.17.2012
We’re very social this year, and we invite you all to be our “eyes” at the conference. Use your smartphones or digital cameras to snap photos and email them to joan@wci360.com. We’’ll post the best ones on our home page at wci360.com. For group and crowd shots, tell us where the photo was taken. For shots of individuals and small groups, send along IDs if you can.
You also can join us on LinkedIn and Twitter. In your conference bag and in specific locations at the registration and information desks you will see flyers with QR codes to connect with the WCI website and our Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. If you tweet about the Conference to your own followers, be sure to use our special #WCI2012 tag.
Our website has the entire program online. We also will continue to update the site with the insurance and workers’ compensation news that is happening on the “outside” during our conference.
08.14.2012
This year the Workers' Compensation Educational Conference is at your fingertips! To provide you with instant access to all event information, we have created an easy way to connect using our new WCEC 2012 smartphone APP!
This APP, customized specifically for WCEC 2012, will provide the full Conference agenda, including a detailed day by day description; important alerts; speaker information; hotel Information including dining & room service and business center. And so much more!
Downloading the APP is easy!
08.08.2012
Just an FYI to those of you who enjoy the water: The pool at our conference hotel, the Orlando World Center Marriott, is getting a facelift. The Falls Pool, their signature large pool, is being renovated to include the addition of 3 water slides and a children’s water play area as well as a new open air poolside bar and grill.
Unfortunately, due to the extensive nature of these enhancements, the Falls Pool and surrounding area will be closed during our conference. Renovations will take close to a year to be completed. However, although the Falls Pool area is closed, the West terrace spa pool area will remain open for everyone to enjoy and has been enhanced to provide food and beverage service.
Looking forward to seeing everyone later this month!
08.02.2012
While the most frequently asked question we receive about the conference each year is, “Who’s the entertainment?” we get quite a few messages asking about the dress code for the conference as well. Our usual response is ”business casual” for the daytime sessions, although we do see many people more formally dressed in suits and “going-to-meeting” clothes. One WCI staffer suggests, “Wear comfortable shoes.”
PS: The answer to the first question, “Who’s the entertainment?” is Lynyrd Skynyrd, with Jill’s Cashbox as the opening band.
07.30.2012
After a full day of educational sessions and exhibit hall visits on Monday, Aug. 20, it will be time to party!
Tickets for the Monday Night Reception featuring rock legend Lynyrd Skynyrd, with Central Florida’s own Jill’s Cashbox as the opening band, will be on sale at the Information Booth at the conference and at the door the evening of the event. (All conference registrants receive a free reception ticket with their paid registration.)
Each additional ticket is $55 and includes 3 drink tickets; complimentary heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. Dress casual, bring a friend, and come enjoy the fun.
(See previous Conference blogs here)
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