CatIQ’s Canadian Catastrophe Conference (C4 2017) Call for Topic Suggestions

C4 Connect 2016

Toronto (May 11, 2016) – Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ) is pleased to announce that after a very successful inaugural conference in 2016, CatIQ’s Canadian Catastrophe Conference (C4) will be returning as an annual event. The goal of the conference remains the same, to bring together Industry, Academia, and all levels of Government to discuss natural and man-made catastrophes.

Taking into account the feedback received from delegates, there will be improvements made to ensure that the conference can continue to provide engaging sessions, speakers and a diverse crowd with multiple networking and learning opportunities. Breakout sessions and workshops at C4 2017 will provide delegates with further engagement and discussion on key topics of interest.

The recent devastating wildfire in Fort McMurray has highlighted the need to discuss strategies and preparation before, during and after a catastrophic event. The resiliency, strength and courage of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the Alberta Government, the public, and the insurance industry have reframed our discussions at work, at home, and here at C4.

In order to create a dynamic conference which touches upon topics of most interest to past and prospective delegates, CatIQ is providing an Open Call for Topic Suggestions.

Overall themes for C4 2017 will include:

  1. Natural & Man-Made Catastrophes
  2. Catastrophe Response & Communication
  3. Data, Technology & Standards
  4. Additional Perspective & Impacts

Past participants and those with interest in attending C4 2017 are invited to share their opinions on Topic Suggestions using the following survey link: Call for Topic Suggestions Survey no later than June 3, 2016.

Additionally, topic suggestions and additional feedback can be sent directly to CatIQ’s Managing Director, carolyn.rennie@catiq.com.

C4 2016 Emcee Glenn Gibson, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be returning again for C4 2017. Feedback from delegates included his positive energy, the very interesting relation of football to Catastrophe Management, updates on Groundhog Day forecasts and the creation of the “Best Sock” competition for speakers.

2017 Steering Committee

  • Jim Abraham Director, Canadian Climate Forum
  • Paul Cutbush SVP Catastrophe Management, Aon Benfield Analytics
  • Paul Kovacs President & CEO, PACICC and Executive Director, ICLR
  • Shawna Peddle Director, Partners for Action (P4A), University of Waterloo
  • Pat Van Bakel President & CEO, Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc.
  • Nathalie Bleau Coordinator, the Built Environment Program, Ouranos
  • Glenn Gibson President & CEO, The GTG Group
  • Megan Meaney Canadian Director, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
  • Carolyn Rennie Managing Director, CatIQ
  • Rebecca Wagner Manager, Prediction Services Operations – Central Region, Meteorological Service of Canada, Environment and Climate Change
  • Claudette Cantin SVP, Chief Risk Officer, Munich Re of Canada
  • Steve Johnston Director, Reinsurance The Co-operators Group
  • Mazdak Moini VP Commercial Lines & Reinsurance, Aviva Canada Inc.
  • Jason Thistlethwaite Director, Climate Change Adaptation Project Canada,
    University of Waterloo
  • Kyle Winston President, Catastrophe Response Unit (CRU) Group Inc.

C4 2017 will take place on February 1-3, 2017 at the Allstream Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The full conference program will be released and registration will open in September. Additionally, CatIQ will also continue the C4 2017 Student Delegate Program which will award five students with the opportunity to share their research related to natural & man-made catastrophes at the conference.