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It’s hard to gather my thoughts and reflect on the amazing week we just shared at RISKWORLD. RIMS welcomed nearly 11,000 risk professionals from around the world to Chicago for one of the largest and most memorable RISKWORLD’s in recent history.
It started at the RISKWORLD Marketplace with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and, immediately, the energy and enthusiasm in Chicago could be felt around every corner. That excitement was only magnified by the 75 first-time exhibitors. In total, over 300 solution providers were there, ready, and waiting to help this risk community take our programs to new heights.
Each of the 150+ education experiences delivered something unique and gave us all invaluable first-hand accounts on how risks are being addressed globally. And, the conversations and networking at RISKWORLD, as always, were inspiring.
Student interest and engagement was at an all-time-high…a great sign for the future of the profession! Congratulations to the Anita Benedetti Student Involvement Program student scholars and to those students who competed in this year’s Spencer-RIMS Risk Management Challenge (that was won by University of Wisconsin-Madison…Go Badgers!!!). We can’t wait for you to join this profession…and RIMS!
There was so much to celebrate at RISKWORLD including RIMS remarkable 75th anniversary, and the outstanding risk professionals and chapters that won awards (Congrats: Randy Nornes, Jennifer Pack, Mark Saltsgaver, Neil Colclough, Megan Smalter, Dr. Gert Cruywagen, Susan Meltzer, Brad Wood, RIMS Bluegrass, Detroit, Atlanta, and Oregon Chapters).
But I’d like to give a special shout-out to all of the former presidents and leaders who joined us in Chicago. Thank you for all that you have done to advance RIMS, this profession, and for supporting me during my year as president.
As I mentioned on stage during the RISKWORLD Closing Finale, once we walk out of the convention center doors, our next risk management journey begins. And, that journey can start right away with an outstanding lineup of RIMS events and education in 2025.
You can choose to start it with the newly launched “Advanced Enterprise Risk Management Certificate Program.” Led by James Lam – one of the world’s foremost experts in ERM – the 12-week interactive professional development experience designed to help practitioners deepen their strategic risk capabilities and boost their leadership skills. Registration is open and the program begins in July.
RIMS, the Foundation for Risk Management, is also here to support your journey. Officially launched at RISKWORLD, The Foundation will allow the RIMS community to take action and co-create initiatives that will shape the future of the profession, empower rising risk professionals, advance research, expand engagement, and accelerate inclusivity. Be on the lookout for more information about The Foundation soon.
And, last but not least, from May 19 - 22, RIMS and DRI International will deliver a first-of-its-kind program, giving participants the chance to earn both the RIMS-CRMP and the DRI’s Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) certification. Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and show off your commitment to your craft. Learn more about this opportunity to earn two certifications at the same time.
I’ll end with just one more “thank you” and that goes to the entire RIMS community. Whether you were able to join us at RISKWORLD, plan to take part in future RIMS events or education experiences, or engage with RIMS in any other way, thank you for sharing your risk management journey with us.
Sincerely,
Kristen Peed
RIMS 2025 President