The Annual Meeting of the World Services Group was held on the 17th and 18th of September 2004 at the LeParker Meridien Hotel in New York City and was hosted by the WSG NY Member
Nixon Peabody LLP. The meeting with its largest attendance to date brought together participants representing over 50 firms from all over the world providing them the opportunity
to participate in global development discussions, interact with WSG members and gain knowledge of the way WSG has already been beneficial for member firms and the developments
being planned to further facilitate in creating profitable collaborations.
Speakers included the keynote speaker Ambassador Philip Lader, Chairman WPP PLC and Partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Robert Vastine,
the President of Coalition Service Industries and Roger Kubarych, President of Hypovereinesbank Inc. WSG programs also included panel discussions on Global Strategy in the EU,
WSG Multidisciplinary Development and WSG Networks.
For the first time, this year's meeting featured "Member to Member" sessions, where participants got the opportunity to discuss one-on-one with firm representatives
of their choosing. Regional meetings were held for North America, South / Latin America & the Caribbean, Europe & Africa and Asia Pacific;
which allowed members within each region to begin developing an overall strategy of cooperation and knowledge exchange for mutual benefit.
The WSG Board of Directors elected Jaime Carey, Managing Partner of Carey y Cia, as the new Chairman for the year 2004-2005, succeeding Tim Powers, Partner at Haynes & Boone LLP.
Harvey Sorensen, Partner at Foulston & Siefken LLP, was named Chairman Elect and Bruno Ciuffetelli, Partner at Hoet Pelaez Castillo & Duque, was appointed as Treasurer.
Two new directors were elected to the board, Peter Bartlett, National Chairman, Minter Ellison and Lawrence Anga, Partner,
AELEX Corporation expanding the Board representation to 11 directors and spanning all major regions of the world.
On a lighter note, the meeting participants thoroughly enjoyed a dinner reception overlooking a panoramic view of the NY skyline and the lush greenery of
Central Park in an ambience created by a melodious jazz quartet. Overall, the meeting generated great interest & enthusiasm.
Since its completion, WSG has learned about several collaborations created as a direct result of the meeting and usage of the website tools increased 10 times.
The 4th Annual Meeting has already been planned for November of 2005 in Mexico City, Mexico. Be on the look out for updates in the "Meetings and Events" section of the WSG website:
www.worldservicesgroup.com/ny2004.asp
