Dear members and friends of World Services Group, Lefèvre Pelletier & Associés hosted the European Regional Meeting in Paris in April. Some 80 delegates and guests attended the meeting representing nearly every WSG European member. In addition, we had attendance from India, South Africa, Michigan, New York and Australia. Focusing on Europe over recent months, we have welcomed Altius/Tiberghien from Belgium, Gianni Origoni Grippo and Partners from Italy, ALRUD from Russia, Appleby from Jersey and Polenak law firm from Macedonia as new WSG European members. WSG now has 34 new members in Europe. This is an extraordinary figure when you recognize that WSG has only been in existence for 6 years.

Several networking events have been organized by our members increasing opportunities to develop business and strengthen relationships. PLMJ-A.M. Pereira, Sáragga Leal, Oliveira Martins, Júdice e Associados, WSG law firm in Portugal, organized a networking reception on the occasion of the EELA in Lisbon; Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek, WSG law firm in Germany invited WSG members to a reception during the INTA annual meeting in Berlin; and Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP, WSG law firm for Missouri and Nebraska, hosted a networking cocktail for WSG members in the Washington D.C. area, where the Board of Directors of WSG were in attendance. During the first quarter of the year, WSG successfully organized its first online seminar. This seminar was for the North American and Caribbean regions and focused on recent trends in middle markets and risks on the formation of alternative entities. These online seminars will continue to offer members easier ways to interact and benefit from each others' worldwide resources.

I would also like to use this occasion to invite all WSG members to our 7th World Services Group Annual Meeting to be held in Munich, Germany. The meeting begins with a Welcome Reception on Thursday, September 11, followed by a two day program. With this event, my Chairmanship with WSG will conclude. I feel proud to have achieved most of the goals I established almost a year ago and to have contributed to the membership growth and recognition of WSG.

With sincere regards, I look forward to meeting you in Munich.

Peter Bartlett