[January 22, 2013]

Hurricane Forecaster Dr. William Gray to Address 2012 Season And His Outlook for 2013 at 14th Annual Windstorm Insurance Conference

The concerns of property insurance and the perils facing the industry and consumers are some of the key issues to be addressed at the 14th Annual Windstorm Insurance Conference, set for January 28 - 31, 2013, at the Renaissance Sea World in Orlando, Florida.

Hurricane season forecaster Dr. William Gray, professor emeritus, Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, will be among the keynote speakers. His presentation, (Wed. Jan. 30, 2013, 8:30 - 9:45am), "Past and Likely Future Variations in Hurricane Wind Damage," will discuss the unusual hurricane season of 2012 (including Hurricane Sandy), and give his outlook for the 2013 season.

In addition, Reed Timmer, star of Discovery Channel's now cancelled "Storm Chasers" television show and current web series, "Tornado Chasers," will present (Tues. Jan. 29, 2013, 8:30 - 10am) his first-hand experience of chasing deadly tornados. His armored storm chaser vehicle, The Dominator, will also be on display at the conference.

More than 1,200 property insurance professionals are expected at the three-day event, which is hosted by the Windstorm Insurance Network, Inc. (WND) (website: www.windnetwork.com.)

The conference is designed to provide a variety of general sessions and workshops for all segments of the windstorm insurance industry, including insurance agents, insurance company claim managers, adjusters, risk managers, attorneys, accountants, contractors, engineers, and other experts and consultants.

By bringing together all segments of the occupations that deal with the aftermath of a windstorm, the 2013 WIND Conference seeks to develop and promote a greater understanding of windstorm issues among property insurance professionals. Approximately 1,500 people attended the 2012 WIND Conference in Orlando, Florida.

In addition to keynote presentations, more than 25 professional workshops will focus on important issues and developments arising out of past hurricane seasons. Topics include building code updates, wind vs. wave, wind and building damage assessments, sinkholes, appraisals, insurance fraud, and property insurance law updates, among others.

The 2013 WIND Conference will offer an expanded continuing education (CE) program with general sessions and workshops that provide credits to insurance agents, adjusters, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and for several professional disciplines in multiple states. Windstorm Insurance Network Umpire and Appraisal Certifications also will be offered.

Log on to www.windnetwork.com for a complete schedule and for instant downloading of the 2013 WIND Conference brochure.

The Windstorm Insurance Network is the first educational member organization for property/windstorm claims industry professionals. It was formed in 1999 with the goal of bringing a diverse industry group together to review and discuss windstorm-related insurance issues and concerns.

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