Podcast appearances and mentions of irving convention center

Al Gordon urges listeners to attend the upcoming Wealth and Passive Income Expo at the Irving Convention Center, emphasizing its unmatched educational value. He highlights a variety of breakout sessions tailored to all levels of real estate investors—from absolute beginners to experienced multifamily owners. Key sessions cover topics such as avoiding first-time investor mistakes, leveraging tax strategies, utilizing DSCR loans without a job, and analyzing deals using Lifestyles Unlimited's proprietary Quest tool. This is a can't-miss, high-impact educational opportunity for anyone serious about building wealth through real estate. Click to Listen Now

Al Gordon and Expo Coordinator Lauriana take an in-depth look at the upcoming Lifestyles Unlimited Wealth & Passive Income Expo, set for May 7-10 at the Irving Convention Center. Lauriana highlights the transparency within the group, where members openly share their financial journeys and strategies, creating a unique environment for learning and collaboration. The event caters to all levels of investors, from beginners exploring passive income opportunities to seasoned investors managing multiple assets. She encourages listeners to attend, emphasizing that this expo is a game changer for those serious about transforming their financial future. Click to Listen Now

Al Gordon broadcasts live from the Irving Convention Center, where the Wealth and Passive Income Expo is underway. With 60 classes available, including a key course on "How to Retire in Five Years or Less," Al encourages beginners to leverage these resources. The Expo serves as a vital platform for networking and learning, aimed at fostering financial independence. Don't miss the opportunity to transform your approach to investing! Click to Listen Now

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.   This episode of RIMScast is proudly sponsored by Hillwood. Hillwood is a leading multinational real estate development company and part of the Perot family of companies. For more information, visit Hillwood.com.   In the spirit of #InternationalPodcastDay on Sept. 30, RIMScast was produced live and onsite at the DFW RIMS Fall Conference in Irving, Texas on Sept. 19. You can hear the electricity on the floor of the Irving Convention Center as RIMS members, risk professionals and vendors from the greater Dallas Fort Worth area convened to learn, share knowledge, and network.   Former and current DFW RIMS Presidents join RIMScast today to discuss the state of risk in DFW, Safety, and ERM trends they are noticing, and why this event marks the closing chapter in one book and prepares for an all-new one in 2025.   Key Takeaways: [:01] About Hillwood, the proud sponsor of this episode of RIMScast. [:15] About this episode, coming to you live from Irving Texas at the DFW RIMS 2024 Fall Conference and Spa Event. This is the Texas risk roundup; we're juggling risks and lassoing opportunities. [:46] This episode is sponsored by Hillwood, a Perot company. Learn more at Hillwood.com. [:52] It's an exciting event. It's also the end of an era for the DFW RIMS Chapter and we'll talk about that. [1:07] Events! Visit GreaterBluegrass.RIMS.org to learn more about the Greater Bluegrass Chapter of RIMS and their upcoming annual conference and meeting event, on October 8th and 9th. They've got some great speakers lined up. Check out their website and LinkedIn. [1:35] Last call for the RIMS Western Regional Conference, September 29th through October 1st at the Sun River Resort in Oregon. Register at RIMSWesternRegional.com. [1:47] The RIMS Canada Conference 2024 is coming up, October 6th through the 9th in Vancouver. Visit RIMSCanadaConference.ca to register. [1:57] The 2024 RIMS ERM Conference will be held in Boston, Massachusetts on November 18th and 19th. Visit RIMS.org/ERM2024. [2:10] Interviews! My first guest is the Ex Officio of the DFW RIMS Chapter, LaToya Lee. She is Vice President of Crew Safety at Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers. LaToya Lee, welcome to RIMScast! [2:33] The DFW RIMS 2024 Fall Conference and Spa Event at the Irving Convention Center is Texas-themed with a carnival. It is electrifying! Justin and LaToya met at the Risk Manager Exclusive Forum Lunch at the conference. It was a lunch for risk managers to speak freely. [3:43] At the luncheon, LaToya raised an excellent point about an emerging risk from social media. Raising Cane's has so many employees who are young people on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Raising Cane's has great policies and procedures to prevent employees from posting. [5:01] Most employees don't bring their phones to the restaurant, but if they do, they must store them in their lockers. Raising Cane's has about 840 locations in the U.S. About 800 are corporate-owned with a few franchise partners. LaToya is the Vice President of Crew Safety. [5:57] As a fast-casual. Quick-service restaurant, with four menu items, Raising Cane's is a people business. The Raising Cane's culture is a fun, cool culture, with disco balls and smiling faces. The crew is in shorts. It's a family-oriented business. They cater to all. [7:29] The growth of Raising Cane's is astronomical. When LaToya started, there were 248 restaurants. LaToya will soon be celebrating her 9th anniversary with Raising Cane's and there are 800-plus restaurants now. [8:04] As DFW RIMS Ex Officio, LaToya says the conference turnout is simply amazing. The attendees, vendors, and speakers are phenomenal. The topics of ERM, Work Comp, Property Damage, and Nuclear Verdicts, are everything you want in a one-day conference. [8:37] What excites LaToya for the next year's conference is the growth. Having all of the Texas Chapters coming together for one conference in San Antonio is going to be amazing! [8:55] LaToya, it has been such a pleasure to meet you! I look forward to seeing you in San Antonio and at RISKWORLD 2025! Thank you so much! [9:10] We are joined by former DFW RIMS Chapter President and a RIMS Global Board Director, Penni Chambers. Hello, Penni! [9:46] Penni grew up in Texas and has lassoing skills! She moderated a session with the State Office of Risk Management. It was one of the favorite sessions she has moderated. It was lassoing the panelists, keeping them on track, and not going over time, with audience questions! [10:40] Justin notes that it is International Podcast Day, and this is a special live episode. There's electricity here at the Conference! [11:09] Penni thinks the growth of risk management in Texas is in part because of the economic growth in Texas, with big Fortune 500 companies coming into the region. North Texas has grown. The Dallas membership for the DFW RIMS Chapter grows with the companies coming in. [11:35] Their risk managers want to get to know other risk managers. There is a camaraderie among peers. The marketing effort of the chapter spans decades. The fall conference gives everyone a chance to reconnect and meet new people at events leading up to the conference. [12:36] It's exciting to Penni as a seasoned professional to see these young faces and new faces at the Conference. It's incredible! It's also bittersweet to Penni that this is the last DFW RIMS Fall Conference, after decades of conferences. [13:22] Next year, DFW RIMS will team up with the Huston, San Antonio, and Central Texas RIMS Chapters to host the first-ever Texas Regional RIMS Conference, August 4th through 6th, in San Antonio near the Alamo, on the river walk. San Antonio is a beautiful place to kick it off! [14:21] Penni is excited because she will get to meet members from other chapters. She says the collaboration that's going to come from this is going to be phenomenal! [14:53] Penni says they are planning this conference in collaboration with Global RIMS. It's super exciting. It's the first time Global RIMS has done something like it for a regional conference. It's going to be a “drop-dead stunner” of a conference! [15:17] It has been such a pleasure to sit with you in person to do one of these interviews for International Podcast Day! You did a wonderful job moderating this morning. I want to thank you and thank Hillwood for being our sponsor for this episode! I'll see you at RISKWORLD 2025! [15:44] I wanted to close out this RIMScast episode with some symmetry. We had two former DFW RIMS Presidents on the show today. We will close it out with the current DFW RIMS President, Emily Casso Ford, who has been fantastic to work with. [16:05] Emily has led sessions and in many ways has been the face of the conference. I wanted to hear from her directly, not just about DFW RIMS but also to discuss her experiences in the ERM space. She leads ERM at Globe Life. [16:23] We're also going to talk about her experience with the RIMS-CRMP and how it is impacting her overall organization. Let's get to it! [16:37] I'm joined by the President of the DFW RIMS Chapter, Emily Casso Ford! Welcome to RIMScast! We have had such a great time for these last 36 hours or so! We're talking at the very end of the final DFW RIMS Annual Conference. How does it feel, now that you're done? [17:06] Emily says she feels fantastic! She gives a shout-out to the Conference Chair, Chapter Vice President Marissa Holland, who did an outstanding job! This conference is our best yet! [18:12] Emily gives an overview of her work at Globe Life for the last two-and-a-half years. She started as an island of one leading an ERM function, explaining to C-Suite and board why risk management matters. The board believed in it and demanded that the ERM function expand. [18:41] Emily started hiring. She had great buy-in from the top. She spearheaded a program in a company that just needed to get around a table and talk about what the risks are and what they look like. Emily refers to ERM as getting comfortable talking about the elephant in the room. [19:18] Emily started a Risk Liaison Program to work with areas of the organization that weren't represented on the ERM Committee. She asked the members of the ERM Committee to identify the leaders on their teams who understand the emerging risks on the horizon. [19:52] These people, the Risk Liaisons, would come together to have good conversations about what those emerging risks look like. They are up to 43 Risk Liaisons, from all across the enterprise of over 3,000 full-time employees. Globe Life is a $6 billion company. [20:30] All the functions of the company are represented among the Risk Liaisons. Emily's goal was to pass the mic and give people a voice who hadn't had a voice or a seat at the table to share the insight and perspectives they have. They are closer to the work that's being done. [21:02] They sometimes see the risks coming faster than the folks in upper leadership do. Emily wants to champion that and give them a voice. [21:21] Emily says the ERM team wants to make sure they share the risks with the board in the right way, giving them the information they need and desire. That changes from quarter to quarter. They are constantly on a trajectory or increased maturity. [22:16] Some of you listening may recognize Emily Casso Ford as one of our more recent RIMS-CRMP Story interviewees. Emily has an update. Her entire ERM team at Globe Life has now earned the certification of RIMS-CRMP. She's very proud of each member of the team. [23:00] Emily's boss, the SVP of Risk at Globe Life, provided the impetus for the team members to obtain the RIMS-CRMP. The Globe Life Chief Risk Officer fully supported the ERM team members each getting the RIMS-CRMP certification. It showcases their expertise in the industry. [23:39] The Make-a-Wish Foundation received at least $5,500 in donations at the DFW RIMS Conference this year. A match is expected from a generous benefactor. [24:04] This has been a great way to close out a wonderful tradition and start a new one. I want to thank you for inviting me! It's a real privilege to be here! I want to thank Hillwood, a Perot Company, for sponsoring this episode. [24:26] Emily, you're doing a great job as President of the DFW RIMS Branch! We look forward to more great work from you! [24:36] Special thanks to all of my RIMScast guests here who attended the DFW RIMS Annual Fall Conference and Spa Event. A very special thank you to Marissa Holland, DFW RIMS Vice President. As Emily said, she was the unsung hero of this year's event. She's fantastic! [24:55] Visit DFWRIMS.org for more information and to learn more about the Texas RIMS Regional 2025 Conference, which will be held in San Antonio from August 4th through the 6th. [25:06] We are very grateful for our sponsor, Hillwood, a Perot Company. Visit Hillwood.com for more information. A link is on this page. [25:18] It's RIMS Plug Time! The RIMS App is available to RIMS members exclusively. Go to the App Store and download the RIMS App with all sorts of RIMS resources and coverage. It's different from the RIMS Events App. Everyone loves the RIMS App! [25:50] You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in our show notes. RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate and help you reach them! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [26:31] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [26:48] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [27:04] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. [27:17] Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. You can email Justin at Content@RIMS.org. [27:24] Thank you for your continued support and engagement on social media channels! We appreciate all your kind words. Listen every week! Stay safe!   Mentioned in this Episode: About our sponsor, Hillwood: Hillwood.com RIMS ERM Conference 2024 will be in Boston, MA Nov. 18‒19 | Register Now RIMS Western Regional — Sept 29‒Oct 1, Oregon | Registration is open! RIMS Canada Conference 2024 — Oct. 6‒9 | Registration is open! RIMS Greater Bluegrass Chapter Annual Meeting & Conference — Oct 8‒9 | Last call for Registration RIMS DEI Council RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center NEW FOR MEMBERS! RIMS Mobile App Spencer Internship Grants — Deadline Oct. 15 The Strategic and Enterprise Risk Center RIMS-CRMP Stories — New interviews featuring DFW RIMS President Emily Casso Ford!   RIMS Webinars: The Future of RMIS: Beyond Traditional Approaches | Sponsored by Archer | Sept. 26, 2024 Mastering ERM: Leveraging Internal and External Risk Factors for Strategic Advantage | Sponsored by Diligent | Oct. 3, 2024 Long-Term Property Strategies for a Resilient Future | Sponsored by Zurich | Oct. 10, 2024 From AI to the SEC: The Future of D&O Litigation and Regulatory Exposures | Sponsored by Hub International | Oct. 24, 2024 Lessons from Veterans on Strategic Risk Leadership | Presented by RIMS | Nov. 4, 2024 Risk Perception and Management: Insights for a Changing Landscape | Sponsored by Marsh | Nov. 14, 2024 RIMS.org/Webinars   Upcoming Virtual Workshops: Applying and Integrating ERM | Sept 25‒26 and Dec 4‒5 Fundamentals of Risk Management | Oct 3‒4, 2024 Fundamentals of Insurance | Oct 9‒10, 2024 See the full calendar of RIMS Virtual Workshops RIMS-CRMP Prep Workshops   Related RIMScast Episodes: “Bigger Risks with the Texas State Office of Risk Management” | Sponsored By Hillwood   Sponsored RIMScast Episodes: “Weathering Today's Property Claims Management Challenges” | Sponsored by AXA XL (New!) “Storm Prep 2024: The Growing Impact of Convective Storms and Hail” | Sponsored by Global Risk Consultants, a TÜV SÜD Company (New!) “Partnering Against Cyberrisk” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Harnessing the Power of Data and Analytics for Effective Risk Management” | Sponsored by Marsh “Accident Prevention — The Winning Formula For Construction and Insurance” | Sponsored by Otoos “Platinum Protection: Underwriting and Risk Engineering's Role in Protecting Commercial Properties” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Elevating RMIS — The Archer Way” | Sponsored by Archer “Alliant's P&C Outlook For 2024” | Sponsored by Alliant “Why Subrogation is the New Arbitration” | Sponsored by Fleet Response “Cyclone Season: Proactive Preparation for Loss Minimization” | Sponsored by Prudent Insurance Brokers Ltd. “Subrogation and the Competitive Advantage” | Sponsored by Fleet Response “Cyberrisk Outlook 2023” | Sponsored by Alliant “Chemical Industry: How To Succeed Amid Emerging Risks and a Challenging Market” | Sponsored by TÜV SÜD “Insuring the Future of the Environment” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Insights into the Gig Economy and its Contractors” | Sponsored by Zurich “The Importance of Disaster Planning Relationships” | Sponsored by ServiceMaster   RIMS Publications, Content, and Links: RIMS Membership — Whether you are a new member or need to transition, be a part of the global risk management community! RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RISK PAC | RIMS Advocacy   RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model® RIMS Events App Apple | Google Play   Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information.   Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org.   Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.   About our guests: LaToya Lee, Vice President of Crew Safety at Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and DFW RIMS Ex Officio Penni Chambers, Vice President of Risk Management at Hillwood. Penni is also a former DFW RIMS President. She is currently a RIMS Board Director. Emily Casso Ford, Esq., RIMS-CRMP, VP of Enterprise Risk at Globe Life. Emily is also the DFW RIMS President. Postables (Edited For Social Media Use): Kids like to be on their cell phones. They like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. At Raising Cane's, we have good policies and procedures to help guide our young crew to be the best fry cook cashiers they can be, put their cell phones up, and stay off social media. — LaToya Lee   It's exciting to me as a seasoned professional to see these young faces and new faces at the DFW RIMS Conference. This is incredible! — Penni Chambers   The people who are in that first line are closer to the work that's being done and they sometimes see the risks coming faster than the folks in upper leadership do. We want to champion that. We want to give them a voice. — Emily Casso Ford, Esq.   As our function grows, we are constantly on a trajectory of increased maturity. — Emily Casso Ford, Esq.  

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.   This episode of RIMScast is proudly sponsored by Hillwood. Hillwood is a leading multinational real estate development company and part of the Perot family of companies. For more information, visit Hillwood.com.   Justin Smulison interviews four guests today, SORM Executive Director, Stephen Volbrecht, SORM Division Chief of Strategic Programs, James Cox, SORM Chairman of the Board of Directors, Gerald Ladner, Sr., and DFW RIMS Chapter Board Member Penni Chambers. The discussion covers the various roles of Stephen, James, and Gerald in SORMS, the purpose and development of SORMS over the years, and how SORMS manages risks for all the state of TEXAS. They also speak of the upcoming RIMS DFW 2024 Fall Conference on September 19th at the Irving Convention Center in Irving Texas and what they will present there.   Listen in for ERM wisdom and a preview of the RIMS DFW 2024 Fall Conference. Key Takeaways: [:01] About our sponsor, Hillwood. [:13] About this episode of RIMScast, coming to you from RIMS Headquarters in New York. Our guests are from the Texas State Office of Risk Management. [:37] First, let's talk about RIMS Virtual Workshops. The full calendar of virtual workshops is at RIMS.org/VirtualWorkshops. August 15th kicks off the three-part series, Leveraging Data and Analytics for Continuous Risk Management. Other dates for the Fall and Winter are available on the Virtual Workshops full calendar at RIMS.org/VirtualWorkshops. [1:01] Let's talk about prep courses for the RIMS-CRMP. The next virtual offering will be on August 7th and 8th, a RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep along with Utah Valley University. [1:13] The next RIMS-CRMP-FED Exam Prep course will be hosted along with George Mason University on December 3rd through 5th, 2024. Links to these courses can be found on the Certification Page of RIMS.org and in this episode's show notes. [1:28] Registration opened for the RIMS Canada Conference 2024 which will be held from October 6th through the 9th in Vancouver. Visit RIMSCanadaConference.ca to register. All RIMS regional conference information can be found on the Events page at RIMS.org. [1:47] We would like to extend a big “Thank You” to today's sponsor, Hillwood. Hillwood is a leading multinational real estate development company and part of the Perot family of companies. Hillwood's diverse portfolio includes industrial, logistics, corporate offices, retail, aviation, and multi-family housing developments. [2:05] Notably, Hillwood's Alliance Texas project has generated over 66,000 jobs and a $120 billion economic impact. Hillwood operates in 65 markets across North America and Europe, constantly seeking opportunities to create vibrant communities and deliver value to its partners. [2:23] Hillwood specializes in e-commerce industrial development, serving some of the world's largest retailer brands. Its residential communities division is dedicated to creating truly unique, master-plan communities. In 2023, Hillwood sold 2,141 homes in its communities and delivered nearly 1,500 lots to builders with more than 3,800 lots in the pipeline for 2025. [2:45] Hillwood is also leading the development team for Goldman Sachs's new facility in uptown Dallas. As a privately owned company, Hillwood prioritizes long-term sustainability: social, economic, and environmental. For more information, visit Hillwood.com. [3:05] Today we will be joined by leaders of the Texas State Office of Risk Management. They will participate in a panel discussion on September 19th at the DFW RIMS Annual Conference and Event. [3:18] They're a fabulous chapter and that event will be held at the Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas. A link is in this episodes' show notes. Visit DWWRIMS.org for sponsorship opportunities and registration information. [3:31] Our guests today will discuss what it takes for the Texas State Office of Risk Management to function, how they prepared and reacted to Hurricane Beryl in July, and we'll talk ERM and how some of their military experiences have enabled them throughout their risk careers and at the Texas State Office of Risk Management (SORM). [3:55] SORM Executive Director, Stephen Volbrecht, Division Chief of Strategic Programs, James Cox, and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Gerald Ladner, Sr., welcome to RIMScast! [4:54] Stephen Volbrecht is the State Risk Manager for Texas and Executive Director of SORM. The office administers the Enterprise Risk Management Program, the Insurance Management Program, the self-insured Workers' Compensation Program, and the Continuity of Government Operations Program. Those are the four key missions of the Texas SORM. [5:58] Gerald Ladner, Sr. has been in the industry for 42 years and successfully navigated four hard markets. He has played roles with global and domestic U.S. insurance companies and is still engaged with the industry even though he's semi-retired. [6:29] Gerald has also served as a broker. He has insured prominent clients like the Coca-Cola Company, the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, and The Southern Companies. He quoted on the Boston Artery Tunnel Project, which capped the global reinsurance industry supply. Gerald's last assignment was as a Regional President at State Auto Insurance Company. [6:52] Gerald is involved today in independent board work, as well as serving his Alma Mater, and has served as Insurance Commissioner Appointee for the Texas Property and Casualty Guarantee Insurance Association, as well as the Texas Medical Liability Joint Underwriting Association. Gerald's turn as Chairman of the Board at SORM expires in 2027. [8:01] James Cox is the Division Chief of Strategic Programs at SORM. His job is to take the vision that Gerald has and the strategic view that Stephen has and make them applicable to the Texas state agencies. He does the daily work that supports their vision and mission. He has an insurance adjuster license, an agent license, a notary, and a risk manager license. [9:40] Stephen Volbrecht has been with SORM for more than 20 years in various roles. He joined in 2001, just before 9/11. The office was created in 1996 and went into operation in 1997. It was created to get workers' compensation costs under control for Texas state employees. [10:37] At that time, The Office of the Attorney General, Workers' Compensation Division, paid Workers' Compensation claims while the Department of Insurance, Division of Health and Safety, had the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission. The two agencies didn't communicate directly. [11:38] Texas combined the Attorney General's Workers' Compensation Division and the Department of Insurance's Workers' Compensation Commission and created the State Office of Risk Management. [11:49] Within two years, they had dropped Workers' Compensation costs by over $30 million, and not by denying claims or cutting corners. They paid claims more timely, stopped disputing claims, and prevented injuries from happening through risk management. [12:30] They continually put pressure on costs, even as medical inflation rises. Texas pays about $40 million a year for accidents and injuries. Because of success with Workers' Compensation, SORM now has three additional missions, the Enterprise Risk Management Program, the Insurance Management Program, and the Continuity of Government Operations Program. [13:42] SORM worked with the Federal government to design the Texas Continuity of Government Operations Program, helped the State Legislature adopt it, and then was tasked with implementing it. Gerald Ladner and James Cox use their industry knowledge to develop procedures and frameworks for the Insurance Management Program. [14:58] SORM is a fundamentally different agency than the office Stephen joined in 2001 because the scope of its mission set has expanded greatly over the 20-plus years. [15:32] SORM is a fairly large office compared to what other states might have. It's an office of specific subject matter experts over each of the domains it covers. It has a broad scope, including Enterprise Risk Management. [16:02] Gerald says SORM has a small board of five members responsible for strategic guidance, governance, innovation, leadership, risk management, stakeholder engagement, performance monitoring, and mentorship to the executive team. The board can decide quickly and anticipate the areas of risk they need to look at and how the organization will address them. [16:45] Justin takes a brief break and thanks Hillwood for sponsoring this episode. Hillwood operates in 65 markets across North America and Europe, constantly seeking opportunities to create vibrant communities and deliver value to partners. Visit Hillwood.com for more information and to seize those opportunities. [17:08] Justin also dives deeper into the RIMS DFW 2024 Fall Conference and Spa Event that will be held on September 19th and 20th in Irving Texas. Here to tell us a little bit more about it is an omnipresent force among DFW RIMS members; Penni Chambers, welcome back to RIMScast! [17:34] This episode is airing almost four years after Penni made her RIMScast debut. A lot has changed in four years! [18:20] Penni is Vice President of Risk Management at Hillwood. She is in charge of a team of two that maintains, procures, and does all things insurance for all of Hillwood and its enterprise companies, including land and cattle, oil and gas, and aviation. [18:52] Penni's role at RIMS has changed. She is serving the constituents of the RIMS chapters and members by being a proud board director. Penni is a lifelong member of DFW RIMS and a former president, serving a term in 2019. [19:30] Penni will moderate the kick-off session of the RIMS DFW 2024 Fall Conference on September 19th at the Irving Convention Center in Irving Texas. She will be moderating a panel with today's guests, from the Texas State Office of Risk Management, Stephen Volbracht, Gerald Ladner, and James Cox. There will be so much talent and knowledge on that panel! [20:09] Penni is so excited to moderate this panel. They will go through the who, what, when, where, and why for this panel. They will talk about governance and the legislative process, and how they manage and procure their liabilities and assets. Texas is huge. These gentlemen have a great responsibility. Penni is excited to get to interview them! [21:04] Besides this panel, attendees can also expect workshops, a risk managers' luncheon, and other speakers and presenters. On Friday, the 20th, they have a Spa Day. The Spa Day is one of the things that sets the DFW annual conference apart. Chill out a bit at the DFW RIMS Annual Conference. They go big on this deal! [22:04] Registration is open to members and non-members. Join the DFW RIMS for two days of fantastic events! Enticed? Go to DFWRIMS.org for more information and to register. [22:42] Penni says they are so excited to have everyone who is joining them for this event. This is going to be one of the best DFW RIMS Annual Conferences they have ever had! [22:52] Justin thanks Penni and looks forward to seeing her at the 2024 Fall Conference and Spa Event hosted by the DFW RIMS Chapter on September 19th and 20th! Visit DFWRIMS.org for more information. A link is in this episode's show notes. [23:10] Let's return to Justin's interview with the Texas State Office of Risk Management. [23:22] Gerald compares the challenges of his current position to those of the senior leadership roles he has held at insurance companies. It's an opportunity to educate and inform the public in terms of what they do to deal with the issues that emerge in a new area of risk. Gerald says that fortunately, he has been able to survive all the challenges of a very tough business. [24:02] The leadership at SORM focuses on retention, making sure that the team's service to the state is valued and that they have unique growth opportunities. SORM is essentially an insurance company with brokered services. [24:38] They have to make sure the products that are offered are current and forward-leaning, with the metrics in place for timely delivery of services for injured employees. Gerald speaks of how quickly SORM responded to the pandemic. [25:10] Stephen Volbrecht adds that it's important to understand that SORM is, at the foundation, a service organization. They exist to offer support to state agencies for their risk management concerns and objectives. SORM operates as a consultant, assessor, and advisor. SORM is not a regulatory agency, enforcement agency, or auditor. It's 100% about service. [27:13] Beryl was a Category 1 hurricane. James Cox says he joined SORM when Harvey was hitting the coast. That's where the preparedness started for Beryl. Before Beryl hit land, SORM was implementing the things they did post-Harvey. [28:05] Stephen speaks of resilience. You can't prevent an Act of God. He cites the 9/11 Commission. Their primary finding was that the most important failure was one of imagination. Leadership failed to appreciate the gravity of the threat. SORM has the approach never to underestimate what can happen. Uncertainty is at the basis of all risk. [29:41] Anticipate the worst-case scenario, prepare for that, and go from there. SORM ensures that every state entity under its jurisdiction has an updated and validated Continuity of Operations Plan. You can't prevent a disaster but you can mitigate it. There are lessons learned not just from Harvey but from the freeze events that hit Texas for three years running. [30:34] There are mitigation efforts that get put into place after we learn our lessons. Use after-action reports. What failed? Don't do that again. What succeeded? Do more of that! Texas put in dams to prevent inundation of water. They put in automated systems for dampers on air conditioning for the freeze events. [31:07] They went steps further in responding to situations based on risk management reviews and assessments to have product and service contracts and materials pre-staged for when these events happen so that you can bring up your services within hours, not weeks. That has a direct cost impact and an impact on the individuals that are being affected. [31:38] SORM has saved hundreds of millions of dollars in downtime and both direct and indirect expenses compared to where they found themselves as recently as Harvey. You can value the ROI in cost avoidance by comparing years without risk management controls and the years after risk management controls have been implemented. [32:56] James comments about Hurricane Beryl and after-action reports. An internet provider in the area went down, causing restaurants to only take cash. Agencies need the ability to switch from one carrier to another depending on if the carriers are operating. [34:04] Gerald says the board looks forward to the strategic plan that the executive director shares with them and they have the opportunity to acid-test it to make sure they are covering all the areas so they don't have a failure of the imagination. The board maintains the culture and listens to the employees. They invite employees to attend board meetings. They get a full house. [34:56] It shows the employees an alignment between the board and the leadership team. The board gives the executive performance review and the employees will hear areas of outstanding work and areas to focus on in the future. The board seeks to maintain that alignment. [35:32] It's RIMS plug time! Webinars! Servpro makes its RIMS Webinars debut on August 8th with Hurricane Preparedness in 2024: Innovations and Strategies to Protect Your Organization. On August 27th, Riskonnect returns to discuss How To Successfully Deploy AI in Risk Management. [35:57] On September 12th, Hub International returns to deliver the third part of their Ready for Tomorrow series, Pivot and Swerve Staying Agile During Shifting Market Dynamics.  More webinars will be announced soon and added to the RIMS.org/Webinars page. Go there to register. Webinar registration is complimentary for RIMS members! [36:20] We would like to express our thanks to Hillwood for sponsoring this episode of RIMScast. Hillwood is a leading multi-national real estate development company and part of the Perot family of companies. Their diverse portfolio includes industrial, logistics, corporate office, retail, aviation, and multi-family housing developments. [36:43] Hillwood operates in 65 markets across North America and Europe, constantly seeking opportunities to create vibrant communities and deliver value to partners. Seize those opportunities by visiting Hillwood.com. [36:59] Let's return to my interview with Gerald Ladner, Sr., Stephen Volbrecht, and James Cox of the Texas State Office of Risk Management. [37:28] James is a veteran of the U.S.A.F. Stephen is a Captain in the Judge Advocate General Corps. Justin thanks them for their service and asks how those experiences lend themselves to effective risk management. [38:02] James says no matter the specialization in the military, the military does very well operating in high- or higher-risk environments. They drill mission and safety in equal parts. The military mindset is understanding the chain of command, codes, and standards, and what you are basing your risk on. If you don't know the accepted way to do a thing, it is a risk nightmare. [38:49] James has found that using his military background, he knows where to look for how to treat a type of risk. That background transitions easily to risk management. [39:18] Gerald's father did three tours in Vietnam. His daughter went to West Point and was in Iraq. He understands the military mindset. It reflects the strengths we now find in the SORM organization with clear chains of command but also an environment where associates can come forward and bring their issues and opportunities. [40:18] Stephen and James are on the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for ISO 31000. Stephen says the ISO 31000 framework and other ERM frameworks are essential for SORM. Risk management is about decision-making. The ISO model is that risk is always negative. What you are trying to do is avoid the bad things. [42:43] Stephen says the effect of uncertainty on objectives can be positive, negative, or neutral, whether it's an opportunity, an obstacle, or an obligation. That's where ISO 31000 comes in. For some time, Texas was the only state to adopt ISO 31000 as the state ERM standard. They did it through the utilization of guidelines written in collaboration with contributors. [43:29] They're called the Texas Enterprise Risk Management Guidelines. They don't tell people what to do but they give people a framework for how to answer questions of risk and make decisions. The meta-framework of the guidelines is called Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), developed by OCEG, the Open Compliance and Ethics Group. [44:23] The meta-framework of GRC is that enterprise risk is about critical disciplines. That's the true enterprise risk model. It deals with governance and oversight, Gerald's role; and strategy and performance, James's role. Risks and decisions, compliance and ethics, security and continuity, audit and assurance; each of these domains has to be integrated into an ERM model. [45:00] SORM uses ISO 31000 as it is sufficient to their needs, but they still pull from other standards, such as COSO or SERM. [45:58] James says it's not necessarily the brand of framework you choose that is important. It's the vocabulary that you need to understand. SORM picked ISO 31000 and all the state agencies they work with took a course in it so they all had the same vocabulary. As long as everyone understands the standard, they can apply it. [46:44] The Texas Enterprise Risk Management Guidelines are known as the TERM-G or TERM Guidelines. [47:24] Gerald has a degree in psychology. It was a soft skill that was sought when he entered the workforce. There's a lot of stress on employees and it's important for the leadership team to have the right skill set to work with stressed employees and meet some of their needs. Gerald recalls Enron and the need to make hard choices about ethical behavior. [51:03] Gerald has had an extensive relationship with RIMS. He reminisces about attending RISKWORLD many times when he was with Zurich and cutting deals on the floor. We're in a world where change is increasing and the ability to get fresh, insightful information allows organizations like SORM to think through the next round of strategies to manage the risks. [52:23] Gerald knows the value in RIMS and looks forward to participating in this upcoming panel at DFW. [52:33] Gerald, Stephen, and James will be at the RIMS DFW Conference in September. Gerald will discuss the macro forces at work that have the potential to impact loss cost for SORM, and the state of the reinsurance market which is linked to SORM's ability to get property capacity. [53:06] Gerald says they want to talk about the interplay between risk managers and the boards they report to. Boards are taking a harder look at risk managers. Boards don't like surprises. It takes quality communication with the board. There also has to be strong orientation of new board members so they can act as proactive business partners as they face the challenges. [53:56] Also, the an ongoing discussion about broadening risk appetite and tolerance. The importance of parametric insurance, understanding how the market is behaving. Capacity is being contracted in Florida and the Gulf states and there have to be additional ways of dealing with risk. SORM provides good advice-based education on the proper coverages needed. [55:09] James will talk about how, when he was a new risk manager years ago and risks were new to him, through RIMS, he was connected with a host of individuals who had seen the same risks every day and were veterans of it. RIMS is a support system for a new risk manager. [55:22] He will speak of the tools RIMS provides, like the benchmark surveys, white papers, and articles, like the Hurricane Preparedness 2024 article, that came out 15 days before Beryl was approaching across the Gulf. SORMS is similar to an insurance carrier in Texas, except they want to look at your risk model, policies, and procedures. If there's a gap, then get insurance. [56:31] SORMS is not in it for profit but for protection and what's best for the state of Texas. [56:43] Stephen will talk about the relationships with RIMS over the years the relationships established and the outstanding resources that are available. He finds the compensation report a bit of a downer, though, personally, working for the State Government! [57:32] RIMS and associations like RIMS are essential for upholding high ethical standards and integrity in the profession and are also important for self-governance. When professionals agree on high standards of operation, that keeps the government out of your business. Stephen also talks about other aspects of SORM that people may not know about. [59:41] There are big risks on the horizon that could be talked about, like climate change, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, political risk, civil unrest, inflationary pressures, global market volatility and alternative risk financing, and the pandemic moving into endemic with massive economic and societal impacts. [1:01:20] Justin thanks Gerald Ladner, Sr., Stephen Volbrecht, and James Cox for being on RIMScast. Anyone who wants to hear more from SORM will travel out to Dallas on September 19th for the DFW RIMS Annual Meeting! Justin will be there and looks forward to seeing them in person, hearing what they have to say, and shaking their hands for a big group shot! [1:01:57] Special thanks again to all of our guests from the Texas State Office of Risk Management, Gerald Ladner, Sr., Stephen Volbrecht, James Cox, and of course, former DFW RIMS President, Penni Chambers, who was also on the RIMS Board of Directors. The DFW RIMS Fall Conference and Spa Event will be held on September 19th and on the 20th is Spa Day. [1:02:24] Visit DFWRIMS.org to register. [1:02:27] Extra special thanks to our sponsor Hillwood. Hillwood is a leading multi-national real estate development company and part of the Perot family of companies. Hillwood's diverse portfolio includes industrial, logistics, corporate, office, retail, aviation, and multi-family housing developments. [1:02:43] Notably, Hillwood's Alliance Texas project has generated over 66,000 jobs and a $120 billion economic impact. Hillwood operates in 65 markets across North America and Europe, constantly seeking opportunities to create vibrant communities and deliver value to its partners. Visit Hillwood.com for more information. [1:03:07] It's Plug Time! The RIMS App is available to RIMS members exclusively. Go to the App Store and download the RIMS App with all sorts of RIMS resources and coverage. It's different from the RIMS Events App. Everyone loves the RIMS App! [1:03:42] You can sponsor a RIMScast episode for this, our weekly show, or a dedicated episode. Links to sponsored episodes are in our show notes. RIMScast has a global audience of risk and insurance professionals, legal professionals, students, business leaders, C-Suite executives, and more. Let's collaborate! Contact pd@rims.org for more information. [1:04:26] Become a RIMS member and get access to the tools, thought leadership, and network you need to succeed. Visit RIMS.org/membership or email membershipdept@RIMS.org for more information. [1:04:43] Risk Knowledge is the RIMS searchable content library that provides relevant information for today's risk professionals. Materials include RIMS executive reports, survey findings, contributed articles, industry research, benchmarking data, and more. [1:04:59] For the best reporting on the profession of risk management, read Risk Management Magazine at RMMagazine.com. It is written and published by the best minds in risk management. Justin Smulison is the Business Content Manager at RIMS. You can email Justin at Content@RIMS.org. [1:05:21] Thank you for your continued support and engagement on social media channels! We appreciate all your kind words. Listen every week! Stay safe!   Mentioned in this Episode: DFW RIMS 2024 Fall Conference and Spa Event | Sept 19‒20 About our sponsor, Hillwood: Hillwood.com RIMS Canada Conference 2024 — Oct. 6‒9 | Registration is open! RISKWORLD 2025 will be in Chicago! May 4‒7 RIMS DEI Council RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RIMS Strategic & Enterprise Risk Center NEW FOR MEMBERS! RIMS Mobile App Spencer Educational Foundation — Funding Their Future Gala 2024   RIMS Webinars: Hurricane Preparedness in 2024: Innovations and Strategies | Sponsored by ServPro | Aug. 8, 2024 How to Successfully Deploy AI in Risk Management | Sponsored by Riskonnect | Aug. 27, 2024 HUB Ready for Tomorrow Series: Pivot and Swerve — Staying Agile During Shifting Market Dynamics | Sept. 12, 2024 RIMS.org/Webinars   Upcoming Virtual Workshops: Leveraging Data and Analytics for Continuous Risk Management (Part I) 2024 — Aug 15 See the full calendar of RIMS Virtual Workshops RIMS-CRMP Prep Workshops   Sponsored RIMScast Episodes: “Partnering Against Cyberrisk” | Sponsored by AXA XL (New!) “Harnessing the Power of Data and Analytics for Effective Risk Management” | Sponsored by Marsh “Accident Prevention — The Winning Formula For Construction and Insurance” | Sponsored by Otoos “Platinum Protection: Underwriting and Risk Engineering's Role in Protecting Commercial Properties” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Elevating RMIS — The Archer Way” | Sponsored by Archer “Alliant's P&C Outlook For 2024” | Sponsored by Alliant “Why Subrogation is the New Arbitration” | Sponsored by Fleet Response “Cyclone Season: Proactive Preparation for Loss Minimization” | Sponsored by Prudent Insurance Brokers Ltd. “Subrogation and the Competitive Advantage” | Sponsored by Fleet Response “Cyberrisk Outlook 2023” | Sponsored by Alliant “Chemical Industry: How To Succeed Amid Emerging Risks and a Challenging Market” | Sponsored by TÜV SÜD “Insuring the Future of the Environment” | Sponsored by AXA XL “Insights into the Gig Economy and its Contractors” | Sponsored by Zurich “The Importance of Disaster Planning Relationships” | Sponsored by ServiceMaster   RIMS Publications, Content, and Links: RIMS Membership — Whether you are a new member or need to transition, be a part of the global risk management community! RIMS Virtual Workshops On-Demand Webinars RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP) RIMS-CRMP Stories — New interviews featuring RIMS Risk Management Honor Roll Inductee Mrunal Pandit!   RIMS Events, Education, and Services: RIMS Risk Maturity Model® RIMS Events App Apple | Google Play   Sponsor RIMScast: Contact sales@rims.org or pd@rims.org for more information.   Want to Learn More? Keep up with the podcast on RIMS.org and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.   Have a question or suggestion? Email: Content@rims.org.   Join the Conversation! Follow @RIMSorg on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.   About our guests: Stephen Volbrecht, Executive Director for the State Office of Risk Management (SORM) James Cox, Division Chief of Strategic Programs (SORM) Gerald Ladner, Sr., Chairman of the Board of Directors (SORM) Penni Chambers, former DFW RIMS president and RIMS Board Chairperson   Tweetables (Edited For Social Media Use): The cheapest injury that you ever have is the one that doesn't happen. — Stephen Volbrecht   Our approach is never to underestimate what can happen. Uncertainty is at the basis of all risk; not understanding what the consequences may be. So what you do is you anticipate the worst-case scenario, you prepare for that, and then you go from there. — Stephen Volbrecht   No matter the specialization in the military, the military does very well operating in high- or higher-risk environments. They drill mission and safety in equal parts. — James Cox   We're in a world where change is increasing and the ability to get fresh, insightful information allows organizations like SORM to think through the next round of strategies so that we can manage the risks. — Gerald Ladner, Sr.  

Well folks, after months of preparation we are proud to inform you all of our newest endeavor, the Business Transitions Summit! Tune in to find out what it's all about, and how you can get your tickets! We hope to see you there at the Irving Convention Center on May 2nd for the very first Business Transitions Summit! GET YOUR EARLYBIRD PRICED TICKETS HERE: https://businesstransitionssummit.com/ Tom Bronson is the founder and President of Mastery Partners, a company that helps business owners maximize business value, design exit strategy, and transition their business on their terms. Mastery utilizes proven techniques and strategies that dramatically improve business value that was developed during Tom's career 100 business transactions as either a business buyer or seller. As a business owner himself, he has been in your situation a hundred times, and he knows what it takes to craft the right strategy. Bronson is passionate about helping business owners and has the experience to do it. Want to chat more or think Tom can help you?  Reach out at tom@masterypartners.com or check out his book, Maximize Business Value, Begin with The Exit in Mind (2020).Mastery Partners, where our mission is to equip business owners to Maximize Business Value so they can transition their business on their terms.  Our mission was born from the lessons we've learned from over 100 business transactions, which fuels our desire to share our experiences and wisdom so you can succeed.

Host Gregory Hallows, founder of the Halloween Preservation Society, discusses his trip to Texas and the Beware! of the Square event in Celina, why did Halloween get here so quickly this year, and so much more...Intro Music: Excerpt from Pink Fink - Fear the Night (approved by artist)Find more at https://pinkfink.bandcamp.com/Outro Music: Excerpt from Satin Danger by Kevin MacLeodFind more at https://freepd.com/horror.phpOutro Song: My daughter NIMH singing It's HalloweenPreserve Halloween Festival is coming up on November 19-21 in Irving, TX at the Irving Convention Center : www.preservehalloweenfest.comPink Fink Dark analog funk straight from the horror boogie overlords and the depths of the underworld itself.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/1031365)

Host Gregory Hallows, founder of the Halloween Preservation Society, discusses the best, worst, and his favorite Halloween candy (spoiler alert - it's Snickers), and so much more...Intro Music: Excerpt from Pink Fink - Fear the Night (approved by artist)Find more at https://pinkfink.bandcamp.com/Outro Music: Excerpt from Satin Danger by Kevin MacLeodFind more at https://freepd.com/horror.phpPreserve Halloween Festival is coming up on November 19-21 in Irving, TX at the Irving Convention Center : www.preservehalloweenfest.comI'll be at the Celina, TX Beware of the Square Celebration on October 23rd. Come out and say hello and grab some candy : https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/bewarePink Fink Dark analog funk straight from the horror boogie overlords and the depths of the underworld itself.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/1031365)

Host Gregory Hallows, founder of the Halloween Preservation Society, discusses / rambles about what's going on so far in October, listens to one of his favorite people explain the history of Halloween in his own words, and so much more...Intro Music: Excerpt from Pink Fink - Fear the Night (approved by artist)Find more at https://pinkfink.bandcamp.com/Outro Music: Excerpt from Satin Danger by Kevin MacLeodFind more at https://freepd.com/horror.phpPreserve Halloween Festival is coming up on November 19-21 in Irving, TX at the Irving Convention Center : www.preservehalloweenfest.comI'll be at the Celina, TX Beware of the Square Celebration on October 23rd. Come out and say hello and grab some candy : https://www.lifeincelinatx.com/bewarePink Fink Dark analog funk straight from the horror boogie overlords and the depths of the underworld itself.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/1031365)

Host Gregory Hallows, founder of the Halloween Preservation Society, discusses Elvira, Ricou Browning, the autumnal equinox, the Salem Witch Trials, rambles on about the USPS, and so much more...Intro Music: Excerpt from Pink Fink - Fear the Night (approved by artist)Find more at https://pinkfink.bandcamp.com/Outro Music: Excerpt from Satin Danger by Kevin MacLeodFind more at https://freepd.com/horror.phpPreserve Halloween Festival is coming up on November 19-21 in Irving, TX at the Irving Convention Center : www.preservehalloweenfest.comCheer up the Universal Monsters icon from Creature from the Black LagoonRicou Browning5221 SW 196 LaneSouthwest Ranches, FL 33332Pink Fink Dark analog funk straight from the horror boogie overlords and the depths of the underworld itself.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/1031365)

Host Gregory Hallows, founder of the Halloween Preservation Society, discusses a few books, rambles on and on like always, and so much more...Intro Music: Excerpt from Pink Fink - Fear the Night (approved by artist)Find more at https://pinkfink.bandcamp.com/Outro Music: Excerpt from Satin Danger by Kevin MacLeodFind more at https://freepd.com/horror.phpPreserve Halloween Festival is coming up on November 19-21 in Irving, TX at the Irving Convention Center : www.preservehalloweenfest.comBooks Mentioned:Black Cats and Evil Eyes by Chloe RhodesAn Old School Halloween by Jason YoungThe Halloween Moon by Joseph Fink Pink Fink Dark analog funk straight from the horror boogie overlords and the depths of the underworld itself.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/1031365)

Host Gregory Hallows, founder of the Halloween Preservation Society, discusses his latest Halloween shopping spree, Spirit Halloween (again), why he loves Texas, and so much more...Intro Music: Excerpt from Pink Fink - Fear the Night (approved by artist)Find more at https://pinkfink.bandcamp.com/Outro Music: Excerpt from Satin Danger by Kevin MacLeodFind more at https://freepd.com/horror.phpPreserve Halloween Festival is coming up on November 19-21 in Irving, TX at the Irving Convention Center : www.preservehalloweenfest.comPink Fink Dark analog funk straight from the horror boogie overlords and the depths of the underworld itself.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/1031365)

Host Gregory Hallows, founder of the Halloween Preservation Society, discusses his vintage ad purchase, Spirit Halloween, rambles (again) for a while, and so much more...Intro Music: Excerpt from Pink Fink - Fear the Night (approved by artist)Find more at https://pinkfink.bandcamp.com/Outro Music: Excerpt from Satin Danger by Kevin MacLeodFind more at https://freepd.com/horror.phpPreserve Halloween Festival is coming up on November 19-21 in Irving, TX at the Irving Convention Center : www.preservehalloweenfest.comPink Fink Dark analog funk straight from the horror boogie overlords and the depths of the underworld itself.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/1031365)

Host Gregory Hallows, founder of the Halloween Preservation Society, discusses imposter syndrome, what he has been up to, rambles for a while, and so much more...Intro Music: Excerpt from Pink Fink - Fear the Night (approved by artist)Find more at https://pinkfink.bandcamp.com/Outro Music: Excerpt from Satin Danger by Kevin MacLeodFind more at https://freepd.com/horror.phpPreserve Halloween Festival is coming up on November 19-21 in Irving, TX at the Irving Convention Center : www.preservehalloweenfest.comPink FinkDark analog funk straight from the horror boogie overlords and the depths of the underworld itself.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/1031365)

Big Tex Talk episode 13, a great podcast this week as we visit ACL PRO Adam Hissner and discuss the great success he has had playing cornhole as a longtime professional. We also visit with  Chad Jacobson owner of TCL and talk about the Signature event coming up at Irving Convention Center and other TCL thoughts. 

This week on the Future of Tourism, David is joined by Maura Gast, Executive Director at Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau. Not only is Maura the brilliant mind behind The Destination Management Cycle, but she was also one of the driving forces behind the innovative Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, which averages almost 300 events per year. Tune in to hear her thoughts on strategic vision and destination development.

If you're looking for something fun to do with the entire family today, Dallas Fan Days is exactly what you want! From nerdy toys & art to costumes of all kinds, you & your kids can all find something to enjoy. So, come join us today at the Irving Convention Center!

If you're looking for something fun to do with the entire family today, Dallas Fan Days is exactly what you want! From nerdy toys & art to costumes of all kinds, you & your kids can all find something to enjoy. So, come join us today at the Irving Convention Center!

For those of you looking for something fun to do this weekend, Dallas Fan Days has just started over at the Irving Convention Center at Los Colinas!

For those of you looking for something fun to do this weekend, Dallas Fan Days has just started over at the Irving Convention Center at Los Colinas!

Larry Hama! - The man & myth & my lifelong hero that has given so much joy to kids of the 80s & still going strong with GI Joe: A Real American Hero on IDW Publishing. Special co-host Melissa Hatfield joins us for the discussion of the man who topped our wishlist when this show began in 2015. Excited to have them both on + new music from the Sword & much more!Recorded Live on location at Irving Convention Center at North Texas Comic Con - 

The Two Gems Panel at North Texas Comic Book Show 2018 Amazing Heroes Interviews Recorded live at the Irving Convention Center on February 11, 2018. Edited for clarity. Topics include Adam Warlock, Thanos, Bronze Age Marvel Comics, and film adaptations. If you enjoyed this podcast, check out others in the Rolled Spine Network… The Marvel Super Heroes Podcast DC Bloodlines Podcasts Diana Prince Wonder Woman Podcast The Idol-Head of Diabolu, a Martian Manhunter Podcast Spawnometer, a podcast covering Todd McFarlane's Spawn & the Image Comics Universe The Under Guides Graphic Novel Podcast rolled spine special DC Special Podcast One Song Each Friend us on Facebook Tweet us @rolledspine Email us at rolledspinepodcasts@gmail.com Rolled Spine Podcasts WordPress blog. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/diabolu-frank/message

The Two Gems Panel at North Texas Comic Book Show 2018Recorded live at the Irving Convention Center on February 11, 2018. Edited for clarity. Topics include Adam Warlock, Thanos, Bronze Age Marvel Comics, and film adaptations.If you enjoyed this podcast, check out others in the Rolled Spine Network…The Marvel Super Heroes PodcastDC Bloodlines PodcastsDiana Prince Wonder Woman PodcastThe Idol-Head of Diabolu, a Martian Manhunter PodcastSpawnometer, a podcast covering Todd McFarlane’s Spawn & the Image Comics UniverseThe Under Guides Graphic Novel Podcastrolled spine specialDC Special PodcastOne Song EachFriend us on FacebookTweet us @rolledspineEmail us at rolledspinepodcasts@gmail.comRolled Spine Podcasts WordPress blog.

In this on-location episode, Derek is at the Dallas Comic Con for this year's “Fan Days” event, which was held at the Irving Convention Center. There he was able to talk with several creators, including Joe Eisma (of Morning Glories fame), Michael Lark (Lazarus, The Scene of the Crime), Elizabeth Breitweiser (Fatale, The Fade Out, Outcast) and Mitch Breitweiser (Captain America, Immortal Iron Fist), Nick Pitarra (Manhattan Projects), and Cal Slayton (Shades of Blue, Digital Webbing Presents). This was a smaller event than other Dallas Comic Cons, and there was a smaller Artists' Alley than they've had in the past. But what the con lacked in artist numbers, the creators definitely made up for in fun and substantive conversation.

Another Dallas Comic Con was held this past weekend, October 4-6, at the Irving Convention Center. Derek was there looking through comics, taking in the sights, and talking with a variety of creators and publishers. He recorded his conversations, and you'll find the fruits of his labor in this new episode. This con was filled wtih celebrities, cosplayers, and comics sellers, but Derek headed straight for the people who are actually the heart and soul of the event: the writers, artists, and publishers of comics. While on the floor Derek was able to get brief interviews with Joe Eisma, Cary Nord, Robert Wilson IV, Josh Howard, Andy Hirsch, Richard Dominguez, Michael Golden, Steve Niles, and comics legend Neal Adams. He also took the time to engage with folks at several independent publishers such as Terror Comics (where you can find Life Is Brutal and Thought Nog), Overground Comics (home of Absent Captain and Graduate), Space Gun Studios (publishers of The Old Ones and Dash Bradley), Comic Book Divas (with Miss Misery's A Haunting Desire and Penny Dreadful's Cauldron of Terror), and the local distributors of Vamplets. There's lots of fun talk and interesting insights, so listen along as Derek meanders the convention floor.

This past Saturday, Derek attended the Dallas Comic Con, which was held at the Irving Convention Center, and ran from May 17-19. There, he spoke with a variety of creators and publishers, asking them about their comics and encouraging them to share with The Comics Alternative listeners their various projects, both recent and future. This was a heavily celebrity-ladened con — William Shatner and Brent Spiner were there, Nathan Fillion was supposed to be there (but didn't make it), and Derek's daughter, Zoe, was completely mesmerized by Adam Baldwin, who actually signed her homemade Jayne hat — and that part was fun. But Derek focused mostly on getting to the comics folk themselves. In his peregrinations around the convention floor, he was able to speak with Robert Wilson IV (artist of Knuckleheads), Jackie Cannon and Erik Reeves (writer and artist of Hoodratz in Space), creator Terry Moore (of Strangers in Paradise and Rachel Rising fame), Hunter S. Zombie (writer of Stillborn), Scott Chitwood (publisher of Red 5 Comics), Danny Allain and Paul Soileau (creator and publisher of Dead Reckoning), Dave Johnson (illustrator and cover artist for 100 Bullets), Amanda Conner (covers for My Little Pony and artist and co-writer of Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre), Kerry Gammill (publisher and editor-in-chief of Monsterverse Entertainment), and Steve Erwin (illustrator of the upcoming graphic novel version of Robert A. Heinlein's Citizen of the Galaxy). It was a lot of fun all around — the artists, the celebrities, the cosplay, the weirdness — and in this Point One episode, Derek shares with you his talk with several fascinating individuals. Listen and enjoy, won't you?

In this special video podcast from Star Wars Fan Days 2011, see highlights from ForceCast Live with guests Steve Sansweet, Ashley Eckstein, and Stephen Stanton. Plus, footage from the Billy Dee and Clone Wars Panels, and an exclusive clip from J.C. Reifenberg's Hughes The Force. It's all here, live from the Irving Convention Center in Dallas.

In this special video podcast from Star Wars Fan Days 2011, see highlights from ForceCast Live with guests Steve Sansweet, Ashley Eckstein, and Stephen Stanton. Plus, footage from the Billy Dee and Clone Wars Panels, and an exclusive clip from J.C. Reifenberg's Hughes The Force. It's all here, live from the Irving Convention Center in Dallas.

It's been a busy month for the ForceCast Collector's Edition team! James and Dan were together in the same place once again for Fan Days IV at the Irving Convention Center in Texas, then Dan heads back to the Big Apple with Justin LaSalata for New York Comic Con with a lot of new reveals from Hasbro, Kotobukiya, Hallmark, and more. Then tune in for an exclusive interview with Sideshow Collectibles' Matt Bischof who discusses the 1/6 scale line with a special reveal of the just-announced Utapau Shadow Clone Trooper figure. If that's not enough, Steve Sansweet returns with his monthly spotlight...this time on Japanese collectibles, tune in for a review of The Vintage Collection wave 9 action figures, and get the scoop on how to cast your vote for the next Fans' Choice Figure from Hasbro.