ICCIE's 20 Years of Captive Insurance Education: Insights from Mitch Cantor

Editor's Note: Captive.com recently caught up with Mitch Cantor, executive director of the International Center for Captive Insurance Education (ICCIE), following the organization's 20th-anniversary celebration at the Vermont Captive Conference. Mitch shared his thoughts on the milestone, the evolution of captive insurance education, and ICCIE's lasting impact on the industry.

The 20th-anniversary celebration of the International Center for Captive Insurance Education (ICCIE) at the Vermont Captive Insurance Association Annual Conference marked a significant milestone. What were some of the standout moments for you during the event, and how did they showcase ICCIE's influence on the industry?

For me, it was incredible to see a crowd of about 300 people, knowing that so many had contributed to ICCIE—whether by teaching, providing leadership, or completing our courses. It was both humbling and gratifying to reflect on the number of people who have played a role in our success. The importance of ICCIE in the industry is clear, especially as we continue to educate current practitioners and train the next generation of captive professionals entering the captive insurance industry in the coming years.

Looking back over the past 20 years, how has the educational landscape for captive insurance professionals evolved, and what role has ICCIE played in shaping this evolution?

When ICCIE was first conceived by the Vermont Captive Insurance Association (VCIA), there was some skepticism in the industry that it might primarily benefit the Vermont domicile or only onshore domiciles—though that was never the intention. However, it was very gratifying to see that concern fade in the early years as all domiciles vigorously supported the official education program of the industry. We now collaborate closely, conducting live webcasts with many domiciles and incorporating their educational sessions into our program. It's a synergistic relationship. We've also had professionals from various domiciles and industry segments participate in teaching our courses and guiding ICCIE, which has provided a broad and valuable perspective on captive insurance within the industry's education program.

As someone who has been deeply involved in the industry, what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for captive insurance education today?

Honestly, one of the biggest challenges ahead will be educating the influx of new talent quickly enough to fill future industry openings. With a wave of retirements on the horizon, we expect a surge of professionals transitioning from the traditional side, along with recent graduates from college programs. This will certainly keep us busy. Additionally, the industry is constantly evolving, and while our instructors and advisers have done an outstanding job keeping our courses updated, it's a continuous challenge and essential for ICCIE to maintain its reputation.

You've mentioned plans for expanding ICCIE's reach internationally, such as potentially offering Associate in Captive Insurance (ACI)-Euro and ACI-Asia-Pacific designations. Can you provide any updates on these initiatives and what they could mean for the global captive insurance community?

We're in the very early stages of these two potential initiatives. While we've always had students from Europe and Asia-Pacific, expanding those numbers significantly will require a substantial effort. In Asia-Pacific, we've taken an initial step by partnering with the Singapore College of Insurance, and we're continuing to promote that opportunity.

As for the ACI-Euro option, it's currently being discussed and potentially developed by a European advisory committee, but it's still in its infancy. We're addressing many big-picture questions before we can move on to the details of creating and developing the program, so it's still quite a way off.

ICCIE has established strong partnerships with major industry conferences over the years. How have these collaborations enhanced ICCIE's offerings, and what do you foresee for the future of these partnerships?

It's true that industry conferences have been crucial for promoting and validating ICCIE, and we've also done our part to support them. We conduct live webcasts from some conferences and offer CE credits for many of their educational sessions, creating a strong, synergistic relationship.

We're considering some potential new collaborations with these conferences, but they're still in the development stage. However, one recent initiative that's been particularly successful is the All Captive Conference Ticket raffle. For the past 2 years, it has been a great way to raise funds for ICCIE and promote captive conferences. The raffle winner receives a transferable admission to 17 captive domicile and industry conferences. Those interested can learn more on our website.

As someone who has witnessed the growth of ICCIE from its inception to its 20th anniversary, what has been the most rewarding aspect of your journey with ICCIE, and what are your hopes for its future?

It's been incredible to see the organization grow and thrive with the support of hundreds of captive industry professionals. While I'm excited to see ICCIE expand with new initiatives in the coming years, I'm confident that even after I've stepped away, ICCIE will continue to flourish, thanks to the many dedicated captive practitioners committed to ensuring this essential industry resource endures.