Global Insurance Symposium Announces Final Keynote on General Data Protection Regulation and the European Union

DES MOINES, Iowa, April 23, 2018 -- The 2018 Global Insurance Symposium (GIS) today announced Aegon Global Chief Technology Officer and Member of the Management Board, Mark Bloom, as the final keynote speaker of this year’s conference. Bloom’s keynote will focus on the emergence of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the European Union (EU), an effective data privacy regulation with significant impact on the insurance industry.

“Insurance is a global industry, and it is critical we take the opportunity to study how others are addressing consumers’ questions. Consumers all around the world have been asking about use of their data and safety of their data,” said Kay Godfredsen, co-chair of the Global Insurance Symposium. “Mark Bloom is a welcome addition to this year’s conference, and his keynote will provide valuable insight to attendees from nearly 20 different countries about experiences in implementing the GDPR, effective late May.” 

The EU GDPR was passed out of EU Parliament in order to align data privacy laws across European nations. The regulation is designed not only to protect the data privacy of all EU citizens, but also restructures how organizations in the European footprint approach data privacy overall.

Bloom has more than 30 years of experience in information technology. At Aegon, Bloom is responsible for leading the company’s global technological and innovation activities, including leadership of Aegon’s digital initiatives, leveraging technology to drive efficiency, and focusing on improving the customer experience.

The 2018 GIS, held in Des Moines from April 24-26, will feature numerous opportunities for global thought leaders to discuss innovation and challenges in the insurance industry. Attendees will hear from commissioners, CEOs, startups, and more. The full symposium schedule may be accessed here.

GIS attendees will also have the opportunity to connect during both the opening reception at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates on April 24, and the social reception held in the American Enterprise Group’s outdoor sculpture garden on April 25.

Innovator’s Edge Productivity Tool
The 2018 GIS has partnered with Insurance Thought Leadership to make the Innovator’s Edge Productivity Tool the exclusive innovation intelligence platform of this year’s conference. Users of the Innovator’s Edge Productivity Tool will be able to easily schedule meetings with other conference attendees, take and share notes, and find relevant GIS information.

“Making connections with colleagues in the insurance industry is the most meaningful part of a conference like the Global Insurance Symposium,” Godfredsen continued. “We’re eager to bring attendees the Innovator’s Edge Productivity Tool and believe they will find this platform to be an asset to their conference experience.”

For more information on Innovator’s Edge, click here: https://www.innovatorsedge.io//events/global-insurance-symposium.

Smart Home
This year’s symposium will offer attendees the chance to interact with a smart home exhibit featuring various smart technologies. Built by students from Waukee Aspiring Professional Experience (APEX), a local high school training program, the smart home will be on display throughout the conference at the Iowa Events Center. This interactive home will showcase Internet of Things technology, designed to positively impact consumers, businesses, and insurers while also making residences safer and more efficient.

Sponsors of the GIS smart home include the Global Insurance Accelerator, AuthorityData, Sureify, RemodelWorks, and Waukee APEX.

Media Registration
Media are invited to attend the Global Insurance Symposium. To register at no cost, contact Kaity Patchett at [email protected] or Andrew Bates at [email protected].

About the Global Insurance Symposium
Established in 2014, the Global Insurance Symposium is the premier symposium for insurance professionals and regulatory authorities to hear from the world’s most renowned insurance experts and to interact with fellow insurance industry colleagues from around the world. The Global Insurance Symposium is presented by the Iowa Insurance Institute, the Federation of Iowa Insurers, Iowa Economic Development Authority, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Global Insurance Accelerator, Insurance Thought Leadership, and the Iowa Insurance Division. For more information, visit www.GlobalInsuranceSymposium.com. To register for this year’s event, visit https://globalinsurancesymposium.com/register/.

Media Contact:
Andrew Bates
515-201-5860 (cell)
[email protected]