2005 National Flood Conference The Sandpaper Reporting all the Nitty Gritty News from the 2005 National Flood Conference Today's Tide Report: Changing Wednesday, June 01, 2005 TODAY’S HGHLIGHTS Exhibit Hall Open 7:00 – 8:30 a.m. Opening General Session 8:30-10:00 a.m. Workshops 10:15 – 11:30 a.m. Lunch—On Your Own Exhibit Hall Open 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Workshops 1:30 – 4:15 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open 4:15 – 5:30 p.m. Welcome to the 22nd Annual National Flood Conference The next 3 days will present you with many opportunities to consider the “Tides of Change” occurring within the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Change is a hallmark of the NFIP. Each year we adjust the NFIP’s insurance rules and rates and tune up flood mitigation activities so that we may better serve the millions of Americans who depend on us to protect them from flood losses. Partnership is another hallmark of the NFIP. FEMA specialists and contractors make up only a small percentage of those who do the daily work of promoting flood protection and response. Thousands of insurance agents and adjusters, Write Your Own insurance companies, floodplain managers and other public officials, lenders, real estate agents, flood zone determination companies, and others represent the NFIP to the public. We rely on you to inform consumers about changes in the program and to make recommendations to us as conditions in your communities change. Our conference theme this year, “Tides of Change,” is a reminder that each of us can influence changes made to enhance the NFIP. I hope you will take every opportunity during this conference to let us know what has worked well and what could change for the better in the work you do to prepare for and respond to flood disasters. Whether this is your first National Flood Conference or you’re a returning conferee, take time to introduce yourself to the people sitting next to you in the general meetings and at workshops. Tell them who you are and what your connection is to flood insurance and mitigation. Ask them about their work and how they interact with the NFIP. Visit exhibitors whose products may be new to you. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and brainstorm solutions. There are many people attending this conference who have a variety of backgrounds and specialties. We have a lot to learn from each other. The success of the NFIP rests on each of us. Together, let’s explore how to make this an even more effective program. David I. Maurstad Acting Director, Mitigation Division Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate Claims Presentation More than 130 claims adjusters attended the last of 26 scheduled and 10 special NFIP claim presentations offered in 2005. These annual presentations are made prior to the beginning of hurricane season each year to ensure that approved flood adjusters are aware of recent NFIP policy language changes and interpretations. PHOTOS-- The Pilots greeted guests as they arrived at the reception (above). The room soon filled with hundreds of new and returning flood conferees (far left above and below). Enormous Gulf shrimp were a hit, as they have been every year for more than two decades (left). Pilot Reception Welcomes Conferees Hundreds of conferees met together last night at the conference’s popular opening reception hosted by Pilot Catastrophe Services. NFIP stakeholders made new connections and greeted old friends while enjoying the delectable hors d'oeuvres provided by the Pilot family’s hospitality. Town Halls Tackle Hot Issues Thursday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., five Town Halls will be meeting to discuss NFIP procedures, policies, and future directions: Floodplain Management/Mapping, Marketing, Lender, Underwriting, and Claims. If you’ve never attended a flood conference before, we recommend attending the Town Hall that represents your area of expertise. However, if you are an experienced conferee, attending a Town Hall in another field will familiarize you with issues that may impact how you interact with the NFIP in the future. All Town Halls address questions and comments from those who attend. Take this opportunity to learn about the NFIP’s hot issues and to make your voice heard about changes you’d like to see in the program. Workshop Updates Workshop W17 (Wednesday, June 1 from 3:00-4:15) “National Paneling Scheme“ has been cancelled. Workshop W34 (Friday, June 3 from 8:30-10:00) “Mapping Questions? Who You Going to Call? “ has been cancelled. Workshop W37 (Friday, June 3 from 8:30-10:00) This workshop has been renamed “Buildings In The Course Of Construction/Condominiums” and will be a discussion and listening session on both topics and their related details. Lenders, regulators, insurance companies, insurance agents, and other interested parties are encouraged to attend. Run or Walk with the NLIC Join us for the 9th Annual NLIC Flood Run (5K Run/1- mile Fun Walk) on Thursday morning. The $20 entry fee will benefit the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Program that serves the Naples area. Funds will be used to serve emergency personnel and survivors of disasters. Register for this event and pick up a race T-shirt at the NLIC table across from the conference registration desk.