2009 Calendar
2009 Annual Benefits Fair and Trade Show
Successful Strategies for Tough Times
Never before have "benefits" been so prominently positioned on so many agendas. Health care and retirement issues are being hotly debated on political, social, economic, and business platforms. The merits and faults of new benefit ideas are being discussed with passion in board rooms and living rooms. And benefit professionals are caught in the middleÉ trying to maintain reasonable health care and retirement programs with shrinking budgets, while keeping an eye on the future and the changes that will inevitably come.
In the midst of so much change and uncertainty, how can you be sure that your benefit strategy will work for your organization today and carry you through to the future?
Join us at NEEBC's 2009 Annual Benefits Fair and Trade Show and learn
firsthand how your benefits colleagues are helping to guide their own organizations through these unprecedented times. You'll hear about retirement and health care strategies designed to control employer costs and maintain employee value. You'll gain insight into the change management issues that can make or break a new benefits approach. And you'll have a chance to share your own ideas and experiences with others who are living and breathing the same challenges as you.
Who Should Attend This Conference
The Annual Benefits Fair and Trade Show is designed to meet the needs of NEEBC's entire membership. The keynote address and multiple workshops will appeal to both large and small employers. Human resource and employee benefit professionals, whether they buy or sell services, will learn important lessons at this all-day conference.
Conference Sponsors
NEEBC would like to thank the following organizations for their support as sponsors of the 2009 Benefits Fair and Trade Show:
Gold Sponsor:
Colonial Life
UnitedHealthcare
Silver Sponsors:
Buck Consultants, An ACS Company
John Hancock
Mercer
MetLife
Bronze Sponsors:
CAPTRUST Financial Advisors
Cassidy Retirement Group, Inc.
Crosby Benefit Systems, Inc.
GreenWood International Insurance Services, Inc./Integrated Healthcare
KGA, Inc.
Kinloch Consulting Group
Parents in a Pinch, Inc.
Protector Group Insurance
The Segal Company
Watson Wyatt Worldwide
Program Agenda
8:00 - 8:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION AND CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:30 - 9:45 a.m.
WELCOMING REMARKS AND INTRODUCTION
Karen Hunter
Compensation & Benefits Manager, Keystone Dental
William Hubert
Manager, Health and Welfare Plans, Partners HealthCare System, Inc.
 KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Christopher L. Foote
Senior Economist and Policy Advisor
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
The Economic Situation in New England and the United States
This presentation will discuss the current economic trends affecting New England and the nation, with particular attention paid to employment and compensation levels as well as housing markets. Christopher L. Foote, a Senior Economist and Policy Advisor in the Research Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, currently serves as Acting Director of the Center for Behavioral Economics and Decisionmaking. He received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan in 1996. From 1996 to 2002, Mr. Foote taught at Harvard University's department of economics, where he also served as director of undergraduate studies. In July 2002, he accepted a position as senior staff economist with the Council of Economic Advisers, becoming chief economist at the CEA in February 2003.
9:45 - 10:30 a.m.
BREAK AND TRADE SHOW
10:30 a.m. - Noon
EMPLOYER RESPONSE PANEL: STRATEGIES AND INNOVATIONS
Our panel of experts will provide informed perspectives on the themes raised by the keynote speaker. Join them for a timely and insightful look at what a diverse group of employers is doing to cope with the economic downturn, including ways in which they engage and motivate employees.
Moderator:
Sue Cann
Senior Vice President, Boston Local Market Leader, Aon Consulting
Panelists:
Mary Ann O'Brien
Director of Communication, University Office of Human Resources, Harvard University
Ward Kraemer
Vice President, Retirement Plans and Compensation, Ahold USA, Inc.
Sarah Calabria
Director, Compensation, Benefits, HRIS, and Payroll, Ocean Spray
Noon - 1:15 p.m.
LUNCHEON AND SCHOLARSHIP AWARD PRESENTATION
1:15 - 2:00 p.m.
DESSERT AND TRADE SHOW
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
C O N C U R R E N T S E S S I O N S
Join local and national experts for a look at how some employers are beginning to address the issues raised during the morning sessions. Our speakers will discuss solutions to many of the key issues that confront benefit practitioners during these troubled times.
SESSION A - BENEFIT EFFICIENCIES: THE EXPERTS SPEAK
Everyone's concerned. How can we do more with less? What are cost effective strategies that save money without creating further damage to an already anxious workforce? Listen to the experts explore strategies such as tiered networks/value based plans, renewed focus on CDHP, population health management, retiree health care, coalition purchasing, and maximizing vendor services.
Moderator:
Nan Maley
Nan Maley and Associates
Speakers:
Randy Abbott
Senior Consultant and Practice Leader, Watson Wyatt Worldwide
Peter Kilmartin
Principal, Mercer
Mark Abate
Principal, Strategic Benefit Advisors
SESSION B - AFTER MADOFF: PROTECTING YOUR 401(k) INVESTMENTS
The Madoff scandal has badly shaken investor confidence. Litigation has followed, and fiduciaries of retirement plans are concerned about potential risk exposure. Our panel of experts, which includes an ERISA lawyer, defined contribution expert, and investment professionals will explore fiduciary responsibility under ERISA, covered plans, and practical ways to minimize risk.
Moderator:
Jonathan Flitter, Esq.
Vice President, Aon Consulting, Retirement
Speakers:
Leslie Smith
Senior Vice President, Aon Defined Contribution
Joseph Mongelli
Director, Retirement Programs, Covidien
Geri Carroll
Principal and Market Leader, Mercer Investment Consulting
3:00 - 3:15 p.m.
BREAK
3:15 - 4:15 p.m.
C O N C U R R E N T S E S S I O N S
SESSION A - HEALTH CARE: THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY
Learn how you can use technology to successfully engage your workforce to improve their health and quality of life. See how this can translate into a more effective employee and contribute to reduced health cost increases and fewer major health cost events in your population.
Moderator:
William Hubert
Manager, Health and Welfare Plans, Partners HealthCare System, Inc.
Speakers:
Douglas J. McClure
Corporate Manager, Technology and Operations,
Center for Connected Health at Partners HealthCare
Steven Fox
Vice President, Provider Network Management, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA
Heidi Rothenhaus, JD, RN
Vice President, Health Dialog
SESSION B - THE GREAT DEBATE: CAN RETIREMENT DATE FUNDS WORK IN RETIREMENT?
This session will focus on the use of target date funds for participants near and during retirement Ñ the distribution phase. The two biggest risks these participants face are inflation and longevity Ñ and there is considerable debate about how effective current target date funds are in handling these issues. Hear from three providers of target date funds and learn how they construct their portfolios for this particular segment of your participant base.
Moderator:
Dan Cassidy
President, Cassidy Retirement Group, Inc.
Speakers:
Wyatt Lee
Investment Analyst, T. Rowe Price
Scott Donaldson
Senior Investment Analyst, Vanguard Investments
Robert Jenkins
Vice President and Investment Director, Fidelity Investments
2009 Trade Show Exhibitors
NEEBC would like to thank the following organizations for their support as exhibitors at the 2009 Benefits Fair and Trade Show:
Abacus Employer Health Solutions
Advanced Resources Marketing
AEGON Global Pensions
Aetna
AllOne Health
Altus Benefit Administrators
Altus Dental Insurance Company, Inc.
Aon Consulting
Archimedes Systems, Inc.
Avesis
BeneCom Associates, LLC
Benefit Resource, Inc.
BeneTemps, Inc.
CAPTRUST Financial Advisors
Cassidy Retirement Group, Inc.
Center for Connected Health at Partners HealthCare
Colonial Life
Combined Services LLC
Crosby Benefit Systems, Inc.
EBPA
Fitness Works at Work
Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP
GreenWood International Insurance Services, Inc./Integrated Healthcare
Hanscom Federal Credit Union
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Health Advocate, Inc.
John Hancock
MassMutual Financial Group
Mercer
MetLife
Millerwood Communications
Minnesota Life Insurance Company
Munich Re America Health Care
Parents in a Pinch, Inc.
Partnership for Healthcare Excellence
PayFlex Systems USA, Inc.
Protector Group Insurance
R.E. Moulton, Inc.
Reliance Standard
Renaissance Dental Plan
SageView Advisory Group
Spitfire Communications, LLC
Spring Consulting Group, LLC
Symetra Financial
Towers Perrin
Tufts Health Plan
UnitedHealthcare
Unum
Vision Service Plan (VSP)
Workscape
XL Communications, Inc.
Getting to the Conference
THE WESTIN BOSTON WATERFRONT HOTEL
From the East: Follow signs out of Boston Logan International Airport to Interstate 90 West/Massachusetts Turnpike West by way of the Ted Williams Tunnel. Take Exit 25 to South Boston. Keep right at the fork and exit onto Congress Street. Turn right on D Street. Turn right on Summer Street and the hotel is on the left.
From the North: Take Interstate 93 South to Exit 20A towards South Station. Turn left at the light onto Summer Street. The hotel is approximately 0.7 miles ahead on the right just past the convention center.
From the West: Take Interstate 90 East to Exit 24A (South Station). Go straight onto Atlantic Avenue. Turn right onto Summer Street. The hotel is approximately 0.7 miles ahead on the right, just past the convention center.
From the South: Take Interstate 93 North to Exit 20 (South Station). Turn right at the end of the ramp on Kneeland Street and then turn at the 2nd left onto Atlantic Avenue. Turn right on Summer Street and the hotel is ahead approximately 0.7 miles ahead on the right.
How to Register
Registration for this conference is $240* for NEEBC members, $199* for 3 or more members from the same organization, and $315 for non-members. The fee includes continental breakfast, luncheon, refreshments, trade show, reception and all conference materials.
* NEW: Reduced "tough times" pricing for members.
Note: If you will require a special meal or other services at the conference please call the NEEBC offices at 781-684-8700.
Cancellation Policy: To be refundable, cancellations must be made by telephone at least 72 hours prior to the event. You may designate a replacement if you are unable to attend a program. Program "no shows" will not receive a refund.
Ways To Register:
- Click here to download a brochure with registration form
- Call:781-684-8700
- Members Secure On-line Registration
- Non-Members Secure On-line Registration
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