Welcome to the first of frequent ramblings and updates from us at VCIA! The VCIA blog “Captivated” aspires to be a quick source of the week’s information on issues and activities around the captive industry. So much is happening in the world of captives, these days, whether it is a new captive law being promulgated in Vermont or news coming from any number of places, we will keep you posted!   Now, as many of you know, I am not necessarily a tech-luddite, but I still do get surprised when my son tries to Face-Time me, so wish me luck as I take another step toward the 21^st century!

The 29^th Annual Conference is fast approaching – be sure to register before June 30^th for the best rates!  Our theme for 2014 is “Major League Captive Education” and we are excited to see you all there. Our Keynote Speakers are Frank Deford, well known writer and sportscaster, and Theresa Payton, Cyber Risk Specialist. Both will be excellent and entertaining. More seminars than ever will allow attendees to explore creative uses for captives.  Please help us spread the word and encourage others who may benefit, to join us.

The Cyber Risk webinar that VCIA presented in May is now available as a high quality digital recording. So if you missed it, call VCIA to order your copy for just $100 (and $150 for non-members) Soon, VCIA will launch our first ever Resource Center!  The Resource Center will allow you to purchase much of VCIA’s valuable educational content and materials. Look for the launch soon!

VCIA continues to be a leader in monitoring and responding to captive issues from Washington DC and elsewhere. As VCIA’s Board Chair Bill Riley so succinctly put it, the captive industry is facing a three-fold threat developing over the next few years:
(1) excessive regulation resulting from insufficient knowledge;
(2) the weakening of sound regulatory structures based on a desire to attract business; and
(3) efforts to impose new or increased taxes.

We are putting into place a new legislative tracking system which will be central to monitoring legislation and regulations from around the country, but we  still need an active membership to be the eyes, ears and especially voices when we face a threat. We will be using the blog to get timely information out to you.

We really enjoy hearing from you —  please let us know of  news affecting our great industry, or ideas you  have to better serve you. Thank you, and enjoy your weekend!