Friday November 2, 2012

In brief

Lenox: BVB to hold annual meeting, showcase

The Berkshire Visitors Bureau will hold its annual meeting and marketing showcase on Wednesday at Elm Court Estate.

The marketing showcase takes place at 5 p.m., followed by the annual meeting at 6. The event is free for BVB members and their employees. The BVB will also unveil its 2013 Strategic MarketingPlan for the region. The marketing showcase provides an opportunity for businesses take talk one-on-one with members of the national and local media. For more information or to RSVP please call (413) 743-4500 or go to dmossman@berkshires.org.

Boston: State workers' compensation rank low

State employers continue to pay some of the lowest workers' compensation premium rates in the United States, according to the biennal survey conducted by the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. Massachusetts ranked fifth lowest of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., with combined rates of $1.54 per $100 in payroll, the survey found. This contrasts with Montana, the highest-ranked state, at $3.33 per $100 in payroll, and Connecticut, the highest-ranked New England state, at $2.55 per $100 in payroll. Massachusetts is 75 percent of the median of all states.

The Oregon report, which is published every two years, compares workers' compensation insurance premium rates across all states, using Oregon's industry mix

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as the base. The current study, released in October, reviewed a variety of measures from calendar year 2010 and found that Massachusetts' total workers' compensation costs decreased 6 percent after three years of increases. The state also had the largest decrease in total costs per claim of all states examined.

Under the Patrick-Murray Administration, the Division of Insurance has lowered average workers' compensation rates by 19.7 percent since 2007. In addition, the state has made several other changes to the structure of workers' compensation premiums - including reducing the maximum penalty for losses from 49 percent to 25 percent, and lowering charges required to be paid by small employers - to further improve the environment for businesses.

Pittsfield: BHS holds free diabetes health expo

Berkshire Health Systems will hold a free health expo, "Unite for Diabetes Awareness" on Monday, Nov. 12 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Four hour-long lectures on different topics associated with diabetes are scheduled to take place. Several demonstrations are also scheduled. There are 13 exhibitors.

Call (413) 447-2060, or go to www.berkshirehealthsystems.org.