Travelers Institute to Host Cybersecurity Symposium for Business Owners in Tempe, Arizona

February 11, 2016

U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Michael Echols to Deliver Keynote Address

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) will bring its Small Business – Big Opportunity℠ symposia series to the Tempe Center for the Arts today to address cybersecurity risks and provide tips to help local businesses prepare for, prevent and respond to a cyber breach. The Tempe Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Women Business Owners’ Phoenix Chapter and Brown & Brown Insurance of Arizona, Inc. will join the Travelers Institute in hosting the event.

“Cyber risk is a major concern for smaller businesses that may not have security systems in place to protect their sensitive data and customer information,” said Joan Woodward, President of the Travelers Institute and Executive Vice President of Public Policy at Travelers. “Small Business – Big Opportunity events provide information to entrepreneurs on how they can help secure their operations and safeguard their customers’ privacy.”

Michael Echols, Director of the Joint Program Management Office, Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will deliver keynote remarks on cyber preparedness for small and midsized businesses.

A panel discussion, moderated by Woodward, will address cyber concerns and other challenges, including access to capital, the economic outlook and business continuity planning.

“The Phoenix area has a dynamic entrepreneurial culture with a diverse small-business community that contributes significantly to our local economy,” said Nancy Sanders, President of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Phoenix Chapter, and Regional Center Director of the Maricopa Small Business Development Center. “Our small-business owners need the right resources and tools to help them succeed in an increasingly competitive environment.”

Sanders will join Echols for the panel discussion, which also will include John Esposito, President of Brown & Brown Insurance of Arizona, Inc. and Andrea Drozdowicz, Vice President, Principal Relationship Manager, at Wells Fargo Tempe Business Banking.

The Travelers Institute has held more than 20 Small Business – Big Opportunity events around the country since launching the series in 2011. For more information, visit www.travelersinstitute.org/smallbusiness.

About the Tempe Chamber of Commerce

The Tempe Chamber of Commerce strengthens the local economy through advocacy, professional development, influence and networking. It regularly advocates for a favorable business climate through interactive public policy engagement and provides ongoing representation in government at local, state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.tempechamber.org.

About the National Association of Women Business Owners, Phoenix Chapter

NAWBO is an organization that works to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development; create innovative and effective changes in the business culture; build strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and transform public policy and influence opinion makers. For more information about the Phoenix Metro Chapter, founded in 1985, visit www.nawbophx.org.

About Brown & Brown Insurance of Arizona, Inc.

Brown & Brown Insurance of Arizona, Inc. is part of the sixth-largest independent insurance agency in the United States, with local roots dating back to 1937. Our clients enjoy local expertise, as well as the strength of support teams that can only come with being part of a National Broker. Brown & Brown of Arizona is available to help place your Commercial Property and Casualty Insurance, Worker’s Compensation, Group Health Insurance and Personal Insurance with one of our many partner companies. At Brown & Brown, client satisfaction is our top priority. The Company’s Web address is www.bbinsurance.com.

About the Travelers Institute

The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc., engages in discussion and analysis of public policy topics of importance to the insurance marketplace and to the financial services industry more broadly. The Travelers Institute draws upon the industry expertise of Travelers’ senior management, as well as the technical expertise of many of Travelers’ underwriters, risk managers and other experts to provide information, analysis and solutions to public policymakers and regulators. Travelers is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.

Media
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
Judy Senechal, 860-277-2366
jlsenech@travelers.com

Source: The Travelers Companies, Inc.