Events that just took place recently
It was fantastic to meet so many familiar and new faces in Bangkok, especially since we haven't been able to hold a conference in the region since December 2019! With travel restrictions still in play across several countries, the attendance was smaller than in previous years, however, the interactions were amazing and we were delighted that so many members were still able to make the big trip to this bustling city.
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Professor and Director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University, gave the audience much to think about with his speech on “The End of Linearity and the Geopolitics / Geoeconomics of ASEAN / Southeast Asia”.
Our second keynote speaker Juerg Kiener continued to provide food for thought, when he spoke about “Global Rebalancing – Geopolitical, War, Trade, Law & Finance”.
We were delighted to have the Corporate & Tech Practice Group represented, with a presentation from Dr David E. De Lorenzi (from GGI member firm Gibbons P.C., USA) that covered “Land Mines and Gold Mines: Conducting IP and Corporate Due Diligence in US-based Deals”.
Ashish Bairagra (from GGI member firm M L BHUWANIA AND CO LLP, India) and Ross Forrester (from GGI member firm Westcourt Family Business Accountants, Australia) also played their part in running a very interactive International Taxation Practice Group (ITPG) meeting.
An impromptu “Understanding GGI” session, run by Claudio G. Cocca and Linda Soriton from GGI Head Office, also provided new members valuable insight with regards to getting the most out of their GGI membership.
The Friday evening dinner was particularly special since, unbeknownst to us until we got there, it was held at a favourite restaurant of local GCG member, Joe Horn-Phathanothai! The Indus Contemporary Indian Dining Restaurant served up a most delicious and memorable meal for the group.
On Saturday morning, the group visited the impressive Mae Klong Railway Market (also known as the Hoop Rom Market). This is a local market in the Samut Songkhram Province, commonly called the Siang Tai (translates to “life-risking”) Market. We are glad to have brought back all attendees safe and happy. It is one of the most amazing attractions in the province. Spread over a 100-metre length, the market is located by the railway near the Mae Klong Railway Station.
After this, we visited the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, which opens at sunrise and closes at noon. This vibrant market features numerous small boats laden with colourful fruits and vegetables, peddled by Thai women wearing bamboo hats. The group jumped aboard boats and made their way through the canals, stopping to buy souvenirs along the way. It was a great way to experience the atmosphere of the market.
The closing dinner was an intimate affair back in the hotel, where we got to say good-bye to everyone at this closing event of GGI's 2022 calendar. Looking forward to seeing everyone again in 2023, no less.
Our friends at Kikivarakis & Co. waited for quite some time to welcome fellow GGI members to their hometown. With some of the clearest blue waters on the planet, this was certainly a breath-taking destination for a GGI event. Astronaut Scott Kelly called it “the most beautiful place from space”, and his collection of photos from his year in the International Space Station certainly proved it. Anthony Kikivarakis provided such a wonderful welcome to the group during his opening speech, and painted a memorable picture in words … of the Bahamas, its economy, its people and how it fits in within the region.
We had a terrific programme, beginning on the Thursday with a GGI ITPG Global Tax Summit (hosted by the North American ITPG Leadership Team, led by Jeffery L. Mowery). There were presentations by Oliver Biernat, Brandon Potocki, Niels Webersinn, Fernando R. Lopez, Aasim Hirji and of course Jeff himself.
The GGI M&A Practice Group, led by Douglas Nix, and the GGI Trust & Estate Planning Practice Group, led by Harry Cendrowski, also held sessions here, just prior to the formal start of the event, while the GGI Business Development & Marketing (BDM) Practice Group, led by Jim Ries and Anthony J. Soukenik, and the GGI Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Special Interest Group, led by Richard E. Mastrocola, held their sessions during the event itself.
Our keynote speakers, Kelly Frager and Josh Cantrell, known to members already from their presentations at previous GGI webinars during the pandemic, provided most of the content during our couple of days here.
Kelly covered the broad topic of “Managerial Courage” during this weekend, with sessions such as “Speaking Candidly while Carrying a Big Stick”, “Inspiring Real Organizational Dialogue as a Leader”, and – for the Developing Leaders in particular – "Managing Up as You Move Up”. Certainly, plenty to think about in each session. Particularly memorable was the exercise on candour, where participants lined up against the wall to show how they think they are versus how they would like to be dealt with. Let's just say there is photo evidence, but you had to be there to know what the photo represents.
Josh talked about the “StoryBrand Framework: How to Clarify Your Message and Craft a 1-Liner that Sells”. Interestingly enough, he emphasised how important it is to remember that – just as in Star Wars or Lord of the Rings there is a guide to lead the hero to success – we are not the hero in our customer's journeys, but rather the guide. So our message should always be about them, and not us, in order to connect.
We were very lucky to also have input from GGI members at this event. Heike O'Leary showed us all how she has used Storytelling and Community-Building within Haines Watts in the UK. Jeffery L. Mowery talked about “Defining the Path to Partnership” within a firm to achieve the most effective results. Timothy C. Lynch and Michael Davidson challenged members during their panel session to think about what they are doing for the developing leaders in their firm. And finally, Leslie Berkoff shared her experiences in developing affinity groups to mentor and support women in professional service firms.
The dinners, as with any GGI event, were the best places to really meet with fellow GGI members. It's unlikely that anyone will forget our musician from the Welcome Dinner, whose songs and vocal range were so amazing that Claudio G. Cocca, GGI Chairman and Founder, wanted his details so that we use him again at a future event. Nor will anyone forget the Junkanoo on the Friday night, with Beatriz Martin and Raymond Zommerfeld leading much of the fun.
