LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR VARGRAVE RICHARDS ANNOUNCES THAT THE U.S. VIRGIN
ISLANDS WILL HOST THE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION OF THE CARIBBEAN'S 24TH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN JUNE 2004
Lieutenant Governor Vargrave Richards in his capacity as the territory's
Commissioner of Insurance and David C. Ridgway, president of the Virgin
Islands Insurance Association (VIIA), are pleased that the Insurance
Association of the Caribbean has chosen the Virgin Islands as the site
for its next annual conference.
St. Thomas will be the venue and Marriott Frenchman's Reef Resort will
host most of the conference activities. More than 500 insurance industry
professionals and interested business partners are expected to attend
the IAC's 24th Annual Conference, scheduled for June 6-9, 2004.
The campaign to draw the 2004 conference to the U.S.V.I. began during
the 2003 IAC Conference last May in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic,
when the Lieutenant Governor and Banking and Insurance Director Deverita
Sturdivant presented the territory as an ideal venue. The IAC Board
of Directors subsequently paid two visits to the Virgin Islands and
were impressed by the campaign coordinated by Director Sturdivant and
Sheila Jasper, chair of the Virgin Islands Insurance Association's Conference
Hosting Committee.
The effort to host the IAC Conference was made in keeping with the
Lieutenant Governor's promise to expand the territory's insurance capacity
and in showcasing the Virgin Islands as a viable site for expanding
the base of insurance clientele.
The most recent reception for IAC Board members was held September
12 at Government House on St. Thomas showcasing the island as an ideal
conference location.
Lieutenant Governor Richards joined in the sentiment expressed by VIIA
President David Ridgway who stated, "Extraordinarily positive things
can happen when we marshal our energies in teamwork."
Richards thanked the campaign team for the tremendous pitch they gave
on behalf of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Virgin Islands
Insurance Association.
The Lieutenant Governor commented, "I believe this is indeed an
exciting coup for the Virgin Islands. It demonstrates that the relations
amongst insurance industry officials are improving such that shared
goals are the focal priority. It also shows that we are now once again
a viable force and attractive destination to grow the insurance industry."
