The WCI approaches next week in Orlando. It is an August tradition that has evolved over the years. In a post this weekend, I have republished a conference recap I compiled several years ago. The history is interesting on several levels and includes locations like Miami, the Dutch Inn, the Peabody Hotel, and since 2000 the Marriott World Center. I have attended and spoken many times at the WCI.
I have had the opportunity there to share the stage with George Kagan, and will again this year. There are a variety of personalities in Florida Workers' Compensation, but George is unique. His humor is ever-present, as are some other quirks. For example, I suspect George has never met a stranger in his life. He has a welcoming and engaging personality that draws people. And just ask him for a voice impression. Who can forget his crystal ball? So many great memories.
This year, he asked me to participate in "Case Law Highlights from Around the Nation," a title that some might perceive as oversell. The entire nation? There are more than 50 workers' compensation programs, and this area of the law is rich in context, complexity, and sometimes controversy. I initially chalked the title up to good marketing. Then I got the instructions from George - he was not kidding about the whole country approach. He assigned each speaker several jurisdictions. Somehow, I got Florida. In the end, where else matters? (Kidding - hubris, apologies).
The fun comparison is that on Monday afternoon at WCI there will be a "Case Law Update" that covers Florida law. But Tuesday morning 10:30-12:00 in Grand Ballroom 8A, there will be this much broader "Case Law Highlights from Around the Nation." The breadth is amazing. And, with his charm and finesse, George has recruited speakers from around the nation. This includes Chicago, Nashville, Austin, Salem, Philadelphia, Delray Beach, and Paradise. The panel is a significant geographic cross-section.
What do programs all seemingly have in common? There are always a variety of personas, personalities, and styles. But, in all my years of presentations (let's just say hundreds), literally from coast to coast, I have never received instructions akin to those George sent last winter. Essentially, he said "Welcome to the program," and continued with something like "here are your states, prepare an outline of all the noteworthy workers' compensation cases in those states between August 2023 and August 2024."
An outline? Research? Homework? - Unprecedented.
He explained that we would have only 1.5 hours at WCI, and admitted that covering Everything Everywhere All at Once (A24, 2022) would be impossible. With his perennial optimism, that admission had to hurt. But, seriously, 50 American jurisdictions in 90 minutes? Really? So, our homework assignment essentially empowers George to author/edit a comprehensive outline of the highlights for an entire year across the entire country. Herculean? An understatement (maybe George’s dirt initial “H” stands for Herculeas?). A project of that magnitude would be Herculean even if you were not essentially herding cats.
Sure, he has some help from us, but the coaxing ("Where is your homework"), collecting, collating, and coalescing is an amazing undertaking. As a result, the WCI attendees who wander into Grand Ballroom 8A Tuesday morning 10:30-12:00 for "Case Law Highlights from Around the Nation," will get the triple-whammy of an engaging, rapid-fire, panel combined with the wit and wisdom of Dr. Kagan (and, if history holds, a vocal impression or two), and a take-home study guide overview for national reference and review.
The program is going to be intense and engaging. It is designed for the "attorney, claims professional, risk manager, or employer." It is designed and built to help professionals "stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly changing world of workers’ compensation." And there is a George Kagan-edited "Cliff Notes" (R) to memorialize the last year and provide a ready reference. The program says that "we’ve worked hard to afford attendees an unbeatable return on their 90-minute investment." That is an understatement.
"The die is cast" (Alea iacta est, Julius Ceasar, 49 BCE). We are "crossing the Rubicon" with a presentation unprecedented in both the depth and breadth of content. I look forward to it and interacting with the intrepid adventurers who will join us there. This is a "can't miss" opportunity.
