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Mancini's Musings...The SCCIA Spring Forum

The skies are dreary, and the rain hasn't stopped falling all week in Connecticut -- back to reality after three whirlwind days at the South Carolina Captive Insurance Association Spring Forum at the Hilton Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island.

Beyond the beauty of the conference venue, excellent educational sessions, great golf (or so they told me....I'll learn to play golf when I grow up, but that won't be for a while), and the ever-present networking opportunities that most captive conferences offer, this particular forum and the people who made it happen left me with an impression that I wanted to share with you.

I have had the pleasure of working with Clayton Ingram and the good folks at the South Carolina Department of Insurance for over a year now. From the moment it became clear that South Carolina was going to pass a captive law, I found myself watching this group far more closely than I've watched other domiciles as they unfolded. There was something special about this bunch. What were apparent innovators doing in government positions anyway? And how could they be so doggone excited about what they were doing? Heck, it's just a job -- right?

Wrong! Right from the opening reception, I was swept into the excitement that permeates South Carolina. Jim Kinder from SCCIA opened the proceedings with a few brief but enthusiastic remarks, and introduced The Honorable Ernst Csiszar, Director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance.

Look out, folks. This guy is unlike anyone you've ever met. With his trademark sense of humor and forthright honesty, Ernst proceeded to knock the socks off of everyone in the room. The next day, his presentation picked up where he left off the night before. As Christie Lauranzon from Johnson & Lambert remarked after his presentation, "I feel like I've been to church." That says it all!

Governor Jim Hodges only reinforced my positive impression of the South Carolina domicile. The best leaders surround themselves with the best people in the business, then get out of the way and let great things happen. Governor Hodges has done just that to ensure that his commitment to innovative, flexible captive and reinsurance laws are carried out. Any politician who even implies that his government supports taking a step back and minimizing government intrusion and regulatory complexity is a rare find these days. What a concept -- doing everything one needs to do to be the best. The "American way" still lives!

Relaxed, southern hospitality made even "conference newbies" feel at home. Fine food, great entertainment and down home friendliness was ever-present from arrival to departure. The final reception featured a kickin' blue grass band that had everybody fired up -- if they didn't get your toes tapping, you'd better check your pulse. This was my first visit to Hilton Head Island, but it won't be my last.

Will South Carolina succeed, despite numerous states passing captive laws -- some of them quite similar? Who will succeed and who will fail?

Scrutinize the players. In South Carolina, they're honest, bright, enthusiastic, flexible, and innovative. Heck, they're not even paralyzed by the possibility of making a mistake or two! What's more, they seem to understand the old adage that "The Good Lord gave us two ears and one mouth to remind us that we should LISTEN twice as much as we SPEAK." They're listening in South Carolina.

Watch this team for a while and everything becomes clear: failure is simply not an option! Congratulations, South Carolina...you're on the way!