How important are insurance conferences?

AFTER a three-year hiatus, insurance industry conferences are back with a vengeance. Although during those years, virtual conferences were held by various groups and associations. Technology was at its best. Participants just opened their laptops and or computers and they were brought to the simulated halls of Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore, a favorite conference venue. But it was not the same as in-person meetings and conferences. We missed the warm handshakes and hugs from friends and business partners.

My former job as a reinsurance player made me attend those conferences where I met almost everybody who I needed to deal with. I cannot remember anymore how many cups of coffee and glasses of wine went into my system during those meetings and the socials that came with them. But why are there so many conferences that you have to attend? My former boss from our holding company, a banker, used to ask me that every time I sought approval to attend one. What do you guys talk about? He missed the point that insurance is not a stand-alone business. Sharing and reinsuring risks mitigate the possible losses that may be incurred by these companies.