The Move through Adolescence to Maturity

If the period between 1992 and 1995 can be regarded as ALARM's formative years then the period between 1996 and the present can be regarded as the Association's growth toward adulthood. 

Membership numbers have continued to grow, with the most significant growth during 1997, to the present day, 1700.  This has been mirrored by increasing conference attendance which has grown in each of the fourteen years.

The 1999 Conference saw the launch of our website providing the opportunity to access and share information electronically.  The following year electronic networks enabling easy and speedy communication between members was introduced.

Conference was utilised in 1999 to share the outcomes of the major consultation exercise and the Association's subsequent visioning initiated by David Fleetwood during his chairmanship.  The document details a development plan, including the appointment of ALARM's first Chief Executive (a post subsequently held by Sheila Boyce and currently Dr Lynn Drennan).

The Association has recently sought to gather the experience and knowledge of members through topic based special interest groups.  The expertise of ALARM sought after by conference and seminar organisers is being inwardly focused to develop an education programme of it's own through the Managing Risk course and national seminar events.

Seen as crucial to educational information provision and networking opportunities our annual conference has also produced an essential income stream.  For the majority of its fourteen year history the Association has been dependent upon sponsorship from insurance and risk management providers - a factor which has greatly contributed to ALARM's present position.

Partnership and selective sponsorship on topics of mutual interest will remain beneficial, but ALARM in establishing itself for the future has, with members agreement, broadened the membership base and lifted subscription income so as to fund further development.

Celebrating the tenth anniversary in 2002 the Conference in Manchester  witnessed further increased delegate and exhibitors attendance over an extended two and a half days of workshops and plenaries with a dedicated awards dinner to recognise the work of our peers.  Bigger is not necessarily better and no such comparative claims were made between 2002 and 1992.

Any event does however exhibit the distance travelled and the need to record our gratitude to so many members, past and present.