Invincible Vincent Vitkowsky has taken the reins of the International Insurance Law Societys U.S. Chapter and is setting the groups first get together for November 3 in New York City. The program covers intellectually challenging topics " rare at conferences these days, where entertainment and cheerleading often masquerade as substance. Topics range from solvency and regulatory questions to trends underlying the whole profession. We will have more on this shortly in this column.

New York Economic Development Chairman Charles Gargano has a lot to his credit over 11+ years in the post, including the revival of 42nd Street (the place, not the play) and the Ground Zero downtown area. Upstate, his office has overseen the Centers of Excellence and high tech development. If he had his way, there would be a lot more business to insure in the state and a stop on the population exodus from upstate cities. We admire the job hes done and hope that a new administration in January will get the vision part of development right.

Speaking of upstate, TomSuozzi has said, Its not underdeveloped up there just because its cold. How to heat it up? No one really has the answer, although Senator Brunos ultra high speed rail idea could turn cities like Binghamton and Utica into commuter suburbs of New York City. How? Think Bullet Train or the French TGV, going 175 MPH. That puts each of the two locations within one and a quarter hours of a Manhattan terminal. It takes that long to get across a mile of the Cross Bronx Expressway, or from 10th Avenue and 48th Street to Park Avenue, some days! The reverse concept works, as well. If the truly fertile second home market " that is, the real buy market is to develop, it should be easy to get from New York to Hancock, Oneonta, Chatham and Hornell. Someday, maybe.

Pension powerhouses like Price, Raffel & Browne on Park Avenue are praising the Presidents signing of the Pension Reform Act, and are using the mails and e-mails to get the word to brokers: Theres opportunity in the pension field, often a minefield for the novice.

TechAssure, the alliance of independent agents across the U.S. and elsewhere who specialize in writing high tech risks, celebrates its fifth year with a conference in London. The Lloyds backdrop will serve John Moccia, the groups president, to remind members of the evolution of risk type, depth, and peril in the new world of computer-centered commerce. These are bright professionals whose clients are fortunate to have their concentrated focus.

Congratulations to Justin Foa, just married to lovely Tiffany McFerrin. Hes scion of the Foa and Sons Brokerage, a long-standing New York organization with roots back to Genoa. The wedding took place in Puerto Rico.

Sprechen sie Deutsch? Ja, especially if you work at the Princeton, N.J. headquarters of American RE, just acquired by giant Munich Re. By the time Oktoberfest rolls around, shotsie, the ink will be quite dry and the corporate cultures mixing " at least thats the hope.

Careful and creative Keith Minella keeps coming up with concepts that work. His Subrogation Partners Group is now buying subrogated claims from insurers, state funds, comp carriers, and national corporations in the rent-a-car and other fields. Hes got the pen and lots of ink. They are in Westport, Conn. if you are interested.

And, speaking of interested, your number one target market, baby boomers, probably is interested in retirement planning " although not the retiring lot they were once anticipated to be. Heres a profile of the best market for the sale of your products:

Demographics " born 1946-1964, 78 million total; 77 percent employed; Two-thirds work full-time;

Psychographics " Me generation; selfish but optimistic and idealistic; want to have fun, while seeking balance and simplicity; believe that 50 is the new 40;

Workstyle " Internet savvy; attitude toward work " a career for 59 percent; just a job for 24 percent.

Their needs are many " life insurance for their children; LTC (for their parents, too); DI " a real need in the formula for security; planningbut you already know that.