Geoff Colvin, Fortune Magazine

Attendees at the Financial & Insurance Conference Planners Annual Conference in Toronto, set for November 15–18, will get the inside scoop on the economy from one of the most knowledgeable insiders in Corporate America: Geoff Colvin.

As editor-at-large and columnist for Fortune magazine; business commentator on the CBS Radio Network, PBS, CNN, and other broadcast outlets; and moderator for such high-level gatherings as the Fortune Global Forum and the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum in London, Colvin is an astute observer of how this economic recession has been different—and how hasn’t.

He will show attendees how to position themselves to be stronger when the recession ends, taking tips from the business leaders he interviewed for his new book, The Upside to the Downturn: Ten Management Strategies to Prevail in the Recession and Thrive in the Aftermath.

In a departure for the FICP opening session, Colvin will be joined by co-keynoter Bill Kavanaugh, senior vice president, Individual Distribution Management, Securian Financial Group, and Thomas Storey, president, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, to talk about how the economy has affected meetings at their companies—and what they expect for the future. Then, in a subsequent “fireside chat” breakout session, Colvin will dig deeper into the economy’s effect on meetings and lead an interactive discussion that encourages attendees to share their experiences. It’s a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the leading business experts of our time.

Attendees can register online for the State of the Industry Fireside Chat and choose among 30 other breakout sessions on hot topics: additional “State of the Industry” discussions from planners and suppliers, clues for demystifying supplier pricing, and answers to the age-old question, “BlackBerry, Friend or Foe?” Breakouts are organized in six tracks: Best Practices, Increase Your Value, Industry Knowledge, Speaker Showcase, Strategic Management, and Technology.

Among other firsts for the FICP Annual Conference this year: a program that has been shortened to three nights, and the opportunity for meeting planners to buy one-day passes. Non-FICP meeting planners are eligible to attend. Those who register before September 30 will be entered in a lottery to win one of two $500 American Express gift cards.

Find a complete conference agenda and online registration at www.ficpnet.com.