STEP Caribbean Conference - 2006

The 2006 STEP Caribbean Conference completed its 8th year on 10–12 April and was held at Bermuda’s Fairmont Southampton Hotel. With over 250 delegates in attendance, 20 speakers and 24 sponsors this annual event continues to lead the industry as the premier forum for trust professionals. Speakers included the top professionals in their fields, published authors and academics from the US, UK and Caribbean.

Delegates responded with overwhelmingly positive remarks on speaker choices, topic selection and networking opportunities. Day One of the conference began with the “Case Update”, a macro look at significant cases in the trust world followed by a series of sessions that examined private trust companies, latest tax initiatives, conflicts of managing multiple trusts and the challenges of navigating client communication through email transmission. The Hamilton Lecture featured author and academic, Jeffrey Rosensweig from the prestigious Goizueta Business School where he captured the attention of a full house of delegates with his entertaining and informative presentation on the global economy. Conference delegates were enthusiastic in their response to Rosenweig stating—“Excellent presentation. Was able to capture attention of attendees at the end of the day”. “Fantastic presentation. Fascinating extremely relevant. First class delivery”. Following the sessions, delegates were treated to a hospitality evening of casino games, wine, dinner and dancing at the beautiful Southampton Princess. Always a fun filled evening, delegates look forward to Monday’s party which “is ideal for interaction”.

Day Two of the conference included breakout sessions where delegates could choose from a variety topics and participate in sessions that were more practical and interactive. Always popular with the Caribbean Conference audience, delegates enjoyed the informal setting that allows for Q&A. The cocktail reception following the last session on the Tuesday saw a full house with requests from delegates to the reception open longer!

Day Three rounded off the conference with an innovative breakfast session on expert trust drafting, a favourite with participants who requested this topic, and its speaker Ms. Shan Warnock-Smith, be brought back again for a third time in 2007. Following James Turner's informative session on matrimonial disputes, the conference concluded with a lively and provocative session delivered by Richard Levick on reputation management—what you need to know about the media and how to keep your company from brand destruction when in the midst of a high profile litigation case.

“Excellent conference – thoroughly enjoyable and informative”
“Great conference! Yes, I will attend next (year) in Cayman”
“Well done!”
“Excellent conference which has lived up to my highest expectations”

2006 SPONSORS

Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA)
GAM
HSBC Private Bank Bermuda
Butterfield Trust (Bermuda) Limited
Argus and Cidel Bank & Trust
Appleby Spurling Hunter
Appleby Trust
Conyers Dill & Pearman
Codan Trust
FirstCaribbean International Bank
Fleming Family & Partners Limited
Oceanic Bank and Trust Limited
St. Michael Trust Corp.
Rawlinson & Hunter
AP Executive Limited
STEP Recruitment Partner
BIAS
CAPITAL G Trust Limited
CIBC Private Wealth Management
Cooper Gay & Co. Ltd.
Pershing LLC
Westport Trust Company Limited
Bermuda Association of Licensed Trustees (BALT)
Cable & Wireless Bermuda Ltd.
Bermuda Monetary Authority
Coldwell Banker Bermuda
IPBS (International Private Banking Systems)
National Investment Promotions Inc.
Worldcheck (Global Objectives Ltd.)