Our History

Brand New Day in Risk Management

From our founding as the National Insurance Buyers Association in 1950 to the adoption of the unicorn logo in 1975, RIMS has transformed significantly over the past 60 years. Initially focused on a narrower mission, RIMS has evolved in both mission and scope to keep pace with the changing landscape of risk management and the global economy. Today, it stands as the most influential association for risk managers worldwide, with a brand that reflects its continuous evolution.

Throughout the 1970s, RIMS played a crucial role in developing and defining risk management as a discipline. The success of these efforts was evident in the growing number of professionals in the field. In the 1980s, RIMS broke new ground by becoming the voice of commercial risk managers and expanding its international influence, notably by co-sponsoring the first International Risk Management Conference in Monte Carlo.

Risk management emerged from the traditional field of insurance management, adopting a broader focus to address a wide range of responsibilities. These include product liability, employment practices, environmental degradation, accounting compliance, offshore outsourcing, currency fluctuations, and electronic commerce, among others. During the 1980s and 1990s, risk management became an integral part of organizational planning and strategy, integrating with more company functions as the field evolved. Today, risk management encompasses large-scale, organization-wide programs with an emphasis on enterprise risk management.

The Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS) is dedicated to advancing the practice of risk management. In today's complex economic environment, where businesses are inundated with information about managing risks and creating value for stakeholders, RIMS continues to stand out as a leader in the field.