The Latin American Risk and Insurance Managers Association (ALARYS), meeting in Buenos Aires this week, will convene in Bermuda next year, Premier and Minster of Tourism Dr. Ewart F. Brown announced today.

Premier Brown is in Argentina promoting Bermuda as an international business jurisdiction to Latin American leaders in the public and private sector.

“I am very pleased we’ve been able to attract this important convention to Bermuda next year,” the Premier said. “I think this decision proves we are constructing a strong bridge of commerce between Bermuda and Latin America. Last night I told Jorge Luzzi (ALARYS President) he will have the full support of the Department of Tourism as his organization prepares for 2009 in Bermuda.”

ALARYS has not settled on a date for next year, but expects the event to take place between August and November. The ALARYS Congress has met one other time in Bermuda. That was in September of 2004.

ALARYS executives say attendance at the 2004 conference was disadvantaged by a lack of time efficient travel options between South America and Bermuda. Airlift from South America is now available to Bermuda through Miami. Therefore ALARYS executives expect attendance to rise.

Mr. Luzzi said: “We are very enthusiastic to have this conference again in Bermuda. The first one was an attempt to make Bermuda and Latin America closer. We have done a lot of work since then, we have the plane now from Miami and interest from Latin America is up. This should be a very good conference for us. We expect a win-win situation for ALARYS and Bermuda.”