CPCU Society Names Tom Peters Keynote Speaker for 2004 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles.

MALVERN, Pa. -- The CPCU Society, the premier association for more than 27,000 CPCU-credentialed insurance industry professionals, has named author, business thinker, and management "guru" Tom Peters keynote speaker for its 60th Annual Meeting and Seminars. Peters will deliver the keynote presentation, entitled "Leadership," Monday, October 25, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m., with a Q&A session. The Annual Meeting and Seminars will take place in Los Angeles, California, at the Westin Bonaventure, October 23-26.

Tom Peters will provide leadership insights into living in crazy, chaotic times in what he calls a "Brawl With No Rules." Peters will share his passion for and instinctive understanding of leadership, helping Annual Meeting attendees to learn how to respond to today's rapidly changing realities. Peters will share examples of his leadership heroes, explain what he considers to be the new leadership paradigm, and inspire attendees to open their eyes, hearts, and minds, and inspire them to redefine radically their leadership skills. As Peters has noted, "Developing a vision and, more important, living it vigorously are essential elements of leadership."

"Tom Peters' presentation will be an excellent addition to the educational and professional development opportunities at the Annual Meeting," says Hugh B. McGowan, CPCU, president, CPCU Society. McGowan is owner and principal of the McGowan Insurance Group, Inc., and will preside over the 60th Annual Meeting and Seminars.

About Tom Peters

Peters is well known for his seminal book In Search of Excellence (1982), a collection of case studies on some of the best-run companies and a review of how to inspire excellence in the workplace. Peters authored a number of books after In Search of Excellence, including four best-selling hardback books. He published his most recent book, Re-imagine! Business Excellence in a Disruptive Age, in October 2003. Peters describes his new ground rules for the current uncertain times in the business world--where screwing up, destroying, and thinking weird is the rule of the day.

Tom Peters is an international speaker, conducting more than 80 presentations per year. In addition to his books, he has written for many newspapers and popular academic journals.

60th Anniversary Celebration

Peters' keynote speech is one of the many educational and professional development opportunities taking place during the CPCU Society's 60th Annual Meeting and Seminars. The Annual Meeting will include a celebration of the Society's 60th Anniversary. To learn more about the Society and the 60th Annual Meeting and Seminars, go to www.cpcusociety.org.

Note to Editors: Electronic photos of Tom Peters are available upon request. To request a copy, send an e-mail to [e-mail].

The CPCU Society (www.cpcusociety.org) is a community of credentialed insurance professionals who promote excellence through ethical behavior and continuing education. The Society's more than 27,000 members hold the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU(R)) designation, which requires passing rigorous undergraduate- and graduate-level examinations, meeting experience requirements, and agreeing to be bound by a strict code of professional ethics. The CPCU designation is conferred by the American Institute for CPCU. The CPCU Society is celebrating its 60th Anniversary during 2004.