The BIBA 2019 Show is just around the corner, so IE Editor Alastair takes a look at what’s in store for brokers, insurtech specialists, MGAs, app developers and thousands of other industry professionals who are going to this flagship event in Manchester.
THE ESSENTIAL INFO
BIBA runs Wednesday 15th May to Thursday 16th May opening at 8.30am on the first day and 9am on the second. If you haven’t booked accommodation by now, then be prepared to travel in from Didsbury or beyond as most hotels are fully booked.
Download the Manchester MetroLink tram service app, as it’s often faster than trying to book an Uber and then get to a meeting or aftershow event. The app isn’t perfect as regards journey planning but coupled with Google Maps you should be able to navigate the city centre fairly easily. Bars on Deansgate/King St are all walkable from Manchester Central, but the Northern Quarter is a bit of a hike.
If you need to park a car all day then Piccadilly station Long Stay is one of the best value options at £3.50 for 24 hours, you can pay via the app too.
People in Manchester may well speak to you. It’s a Northern thing. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for directions as this isn’t a criminal offence, unlike the South East of England.
THE EXHIBITION
For many people the networking, plus new products and services showcased at the Exhibition section are much more interesting than the speeches.
What’s worth checking out, apart from Huw Edwards’ weight loss tips obviously?
Well NMU are promising a product launch to UK brokers and intermediaries on Stand B30, and as they’re backed by Munich Re you can bet it’s a biggie. The Chartered Insurance Institute will be telling brokers how they can future-proof their business and in an increasingly online world we say listen up or get left behind. They’re on Stand E50 by the way.
Meanwhile on Stand C70 Sedgwick have some free cordless phone chargers – yes, big news! Even more useful is the Sedgwick Fringe Session at 3.30pm on the Wednesday when cyber expert Dr Mark Hawksworth will be on hand to take questions. You can book a space here.
Arch Insurance are launching Cyber Searchlight on Stand D71 at the show, and happy to take questions on any aspect of cyber cover and how the product can get businesses back online securely and trading normally ASAP after a data breach or attack.
AMTrust Underwriting are on Stand C71, with details on how their travel insurance app can store policyholder info digitally, offer country advice, features a Mayday button and most importantly adds value to your broker proposition, enhancing your 21st century image and marketing tone.
British Engineering Services will be at BIBA 2019, ready to talk about their range of market leading solutions, helping broker partners provide the very best and most efficient service to their customers. Find out more regarding major construction, property and commercial cover on Stand E68.
DOWNTIME AND SCHMOOZING – YEAH, WHY NOT?
If you need to escape the madding crowd then Coplus are organising a quiet space at the Bridgwater Hall – directly opposite the Manchester Central venue – where you can have a quick meeting or have a drink. That’s happening on the Wednesday ONLY as far as we know.
Think you’re handy on the arrows? Come and have a go at the Close Brothers Premium Finance (CBPF) stand F10 joined by some very special guests from the world of darts, Bobby George, twice winner of the World Darts Championship, and Dennis Priestly, two times world champion and the first player to win both the BDO and WDC World Championships.
Insurance industry teams are welcome to try and set a winning score, anytime during Wednesday 15 May. Each member of your team will throw three darts at the oche. Close Bros will record your scores, and the team with the highest score (which will be taken from the top three scores from each team) will win a trophy. The highest score by one individual contestant will also win a prize.
The winners will be announced at 13.00pm on Thursday.
Also on Wednesday breakdown and recovery specialists ALPS have an invitation only drinks reception at Alberts Schloss from 3.00pm onwards.
Premfina are giving away an Apple iWatch, just leave a biz card at Stand E58 to enter this comp. DAS UK have an Amazon Echo to give away and Vasek on Stand C60 have a comp to win free mini bottles of Prosecco on the go during both days.
THE HACKATHON
For me, this is the main event.
Whoever devised this competition to develop a new insurance product in one day is a genius. Such a great showcase for all that’s right about the new UK insurance landscape. Goodbye stuffy old men from the Pru in raincoats and brogues, say hello to PAYG cover, bespoke policies, companies that listen and monitor via social not call centres on the other side of the world.
Teams will be busy hammering keyboards, with staff drawn from various companies, including Aviva, Vasek, Konsileo, CFC Underwriting, Towergate, Kingsbridge, AXA, Romero Brokers, Insurance Revolution, AON and more. Thursday morning will see the teams present their ideas, and the winners announced at 12.10pm.
Have we missed something? Message Insurance Edge at editorial@insurance-edge.net or on Twitter @InsEdgeOnline and we will add your product launch or presentation info to this feature.
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