Shop Talk Community Created to Keep Insurance Technology Conversation Going

PARK CITY, UT--(Marketwired - Apr 16, 2013) -  Continuing the conversation started last year with the publication of Shop Talk, CastleBay Consulting Corporation (CastleBay) is pleased to announce the creation of the Shop Talk Community, a thought-leadership series -- for the insurance industry. This online forum will focus on the core themes of the book -- the vendor marketplace, vendor selection, and insurance core system transformation projects -- through eNewsletters, webcasts, podcasts, and a one-day conference.

"Our intent in forming the Shop Talk Community is to give something back to the insurance industry," said George Grieve, CEO of CastleBay. "These events are meant to be practical, helpful and -- despite the industry and subject matter -- fun."

Along with publication partners at Summit Business Media, TechDecisions and PC360, CastleBay will present three webcasts in 2013:

• "Not Your Father's Software Market" on April 17 (Register now for this event.)
• "Software Selection: The Same but Different" on June 12
• "Implementation: Updates from the Trenches" on July 17

Each webcast will be hosted by a CastleBay practice leader and will feature thought-leading clients and partners from the industry. Following the webinars will be a series of ten podcasts offered from August through November. Each will feature Q&A sessions with five leading vendor executives and five leading carrier executives. They will be published and archived on the PC360 and CastleBay websites as well.

The culmination of the 2013 series will be a one-day conference held on November 12. Built around the core themes of the Shop Talk book, as well as industry conversations started during the webcasts and podcasts, this event will present industry-leading speakers sharing practical, impactful insights, advice and real-life experiences.

"I look forward to the important discussion that will take place throughout the year," Grieve said, "and I thank all of those who believe as I do that it's important to share and learn from each other."

Sponsors and partners of the Shop Talk Community include Guidewire, ISCS, Maple Technologies, Xuber Insurance Software, and TechDecisions.

About CastleBay Consulting Corporation (CastleBay)
Park City, Utah-based CastleBay Consulting Corporation was founded in 1998 to provide high-impact consulting services to the insurance market. Services include strategic systems planning and acquisition; quality management; program and project set up, management and assessment; business process and requirements analysis; and related software implementation services. CastleBay's consultants average more than 25 years of insurance industry experience and represent a wealth of experience as executives and officers from world-class vendor and insurance carrier companies. To learn more about CastleBay's services, contact Don MacFarland at 513-218-2473 or don.macfarland@castlebayconsulting.com, or visit the CastleBay website, www.castlebayconsulting.com.