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September 2026 Newsletter
President's Report
Dear CPCU Atlanta Members & Friends,
Labor Day and the end of summer are upon us, the college football season is just getting underway, and it is time for us to think about risk.
I've been thinking about a distinction we deal with professionally but rarely apply personally: frequency versus severity. How likely is something to go wrong, and how bad is it when it does? Early this summer I listened to a talk by Dr. Zeke Emanuel, author of Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life. His first rule was "Don't be a schmuck." By this he means avoid risky, stupid things: smoking, skipping routine vaccines, or taking unnecessary physical dangers. His yardstick was whether an activity is safer or riskier than driving a car (~0.05 deaths per 100,000 hours). For example, flying in a commercial plane is 16x safer than driving, but riding a motorcycle is 500x deadlier.
On my vacation to Alaska this summer, we took a sightseeing flight near Denali, landing on a glacier. When I shared photos with some co-workers, one, an avid road cyclist, expressed concern about the risk, so I looked into it. According to the NTSB, air tours crash at a rate of 2.3 per 100,000 hours flown, with an average of 3.5 fatalities per crash. That sounds alarming next to routine driving, until you factor in severity as well as frequency. So I also looked into cycling crash data, since that's a risk my co-worker takes on regularly: crash rates run 30-50 per 100,000 miles, and the large majority of those crashes result in some injury, though only 2-2.5% are fatal. Cycling carries the higher frequency, and most of those accidents cause some harm, while flying as a passenger on a glacier tour is a lower-frequency risk that carries greater severity when it does occur. I pointed this out to my co-worker: given the choice, I'll take the lower-frequency risk, even with the higher severity if things go wrong.
That's exactly the kind of thinking our speakers will push us toward at Atlanta Risk Focus 2026, on September 17 at Roam – Perimeter (same location as last year). I've read through all of the presentation materials, and I'm genuinely torn about which sessions to attend, a good problem to have. I'm especially looking forward to our noon session, "Jumpstart Your Career," where experienced HR professionals will share career pro-tips, offer resume reviews, and a professional photographer will be on hand for free headshots.
Hope to see you there as we kick off another year of thinking harder about risk, professionally and personally.
Warmly,
Elizabeth
President, CPCU Atlanta Chapter
Atlanta Risk Focus 2026
Atlanta Risk Focus 2026
Thursday, September 17
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Roam - Perimeter Center
1151 Hammond Dr, NE, Suite 240
Atlanta, GA 30346
Join us for Atlanta Risk Focus 2026, CPCU Atlanta’s annual I-Day, bringing together risk and insurance professionals from across the Atlanta community for a day of learning, connection, and professional growth.
This year’s program explores the forces shaping the future of our industry, with perspectives on emerging risks, rapidly evolving technology, better decision-making, and leadership in a changing environment. It’s an opportunity to hear fresh ideas, learn from industry experts, and connect with colleagues from across the insurance and risk community.
Our special Jump Start Your Career lunch session will add a hands-on career development experience, with practical advice from HR professionals, one-on-one résumé reviews, and complimentary professional headshots. During lunch, we’ll also celebrate and recognize our 2026 CPCU designees and welcome them to the CPCU community.
Whether you’re a longtime CPCU member, a new designee, or simply interested in the issues shaping our industry, we hope you’ll join us for Atlanta Risk Focus 2026.
Diversity & Inclusion Spotlight
September invites us to reflect on heritage, faith, language, equity, and connection across generations. This month’s Diversity & Inclusion moments highlight the many ways identity, culture, and lived experience shape how people move through the world and belong within it. As we move through September, we’re reminded that inclusion grows when we honor different histories, make room for meaningful access, and recognize the value each community brings.
- Hispanic Heritage Month — observed in the U.S. from September 15 through October 15, this month celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. It’s an important opportunity to recognize the richness and diversity of these communities and the lasting impact they have across every part of society.
- Intergenerational Month — recognized in the U.S. during September, this observance promotes understanding and connection among people of all ages. It reminds us that different generations bring distinct strengths, perspectives, and experiences that can deepen learning, collaboration, and belonging.
- Rosh Hashanah — September 11–13 marks the Jewish New Year, a time of reflection, renewal, and hope. It highlights the importance many people place on faith, tradition, and beginning again with intention.
- International Equal Pay Day — September 18 represents the long-standing effort toward equal pay for work of equal value. It invites reflection on fairness, opportunity, and the systems that influence equity in workplaces and communities.
- International Day of Sign Languages — September 23 raises awareness about the importance of sign languages in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf. It’s a meaningful reminder that accessibility and inclusion depend on communication being valued in all its forms.
- Native American Day — September 25 honors Native American cultures while also recognizing the history of violence against Indigenous peoples in the United States. It creates space for reflection, respect, and a deeper commitment to learning from Native communities and histories.
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — September 30 honors the Indigenous children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. It is a solemn reminder of the importance of truth, remembrance, and accountability in building a more just future.
As we recognize September’s Diversity & Inclusion highlights, let’s keep building workplaces and communities where heritage, language, faith, accessibility, and lived experience are treated with respect. Inclusion grows when we listen well, stay open to learning, and make belonging something people can feel in real ways.
Dive In
Registration is now open for Dive In Festival 2026.
Dates: September 22-24, 2026
This year's theme, The human gAIn: Powering culture & connection, explores how can we harness technology while strengthening the human skills that matter most—trust, creativity, belonging and collaboration.
Whether you're interested in leadership, workplace culture, AI, wellbeing, innovation or personal growth, Dive In offers something for everyone.
What to expect?
- Inspiring speakers
- Fresh perspectives
- Interactive discussions
- Practical takeaways
- Opportunities to connect with people from around the world
