Spring Industry Conference

This popular conference attracts CPAs from mid- to upper-level management in industry. Covering a variety of current topics, the conference is certain to address the trends and issues affecting CPAs in industry today.

Hotel Information: Reservations may be made at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs by calling 615/261-6105. Please indicate that you are with the Tennessee Society of CPAs when making your reservation.

Schedule at a Glance

7:30 - 8 a.m. - Registration/Continental Breakfast

8 - 8:05 a.m. - Opening Remarks

8:05 a.m. - 8:55 a.m. - Work to Live, or Live to Work? What’s Age Got to do With it?
Amy J. Lynch, The Gen Y Expert, Bottom Line Conversations, Nashville, Tenn.
Maybe you’re 45 and trying to maintain work-life balance. Or 20-something and wondering what the fuss is all about when you refuse to work weekends. Whether you consider life balance an unattainable luxury or a basic right, this is your opportunity to explore your ideas about balancing work with the rest of life, and to compare your expectations to those of other generations. Along the way, you’ll learn how each generation defines “work ethic,” and you’ll go back to your workplace with more understanding of how to work with people whose ideas about balance are radically different from your own.

8:55 a.m. - 9 a.m. - Change Break

9 - 9:50 a.m. - Making Health Care Consumerism Work: Aligning Employer and Employee Interest
Bill Derrickson, MBA, CHC, PAHM, Manager of Training, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tenn., and Karen Saul, President/Chief Executive Officer, The HR Group, Brentwood, Tenn.
Currently there is a shift occurring in health care towards consumerism as companies look for new approaches to slow the growth of health care expenditures. How is consumerism affecting today’s health care market? In this session you will learn how the landscape has changed; who are today’s consumers; what are the products and tools associated with consumerism; and how has the employer aligned these new benefit plans with their employees’ interests.

9:50 - 10:05 a.m. - Networking Break & Exhibit Viewing

10:05 - 10:55 a.m. - Surviving E-mails: Tips for E-mail Etiquette
Barbara Richman, SPHR, Senior Consultant, HR Mpact, Inc., Memphis, Tenn.
When we hit the “send” button, our e-mails reflect both on us as professionals and on the organizations that we represent. With more than 143 billion e-mail messages exchanged daily, writing and responding to e-mails takes up numerous hours out of the workdays of employees at all levels of the organization. Although e-mails have significantly changed the way that many of us conduct business, little attention has been paid to how effectively we use this everyday means of communications. This session will provide participants with tools and tips that they can immediately apply in the workplace.

10:55 - 11 a.m. - Change Break

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. - China Business Opportunities: 2008 and Beyond
John Butler, Vice President, International Business, Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Nashville, Tenn., and Cathy Blalock, Regional Representative, U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Traderoots Program, Jacksonville, Fla.
China is Tennessee’s third largest export market, accounting for more than $1.1 billion in exports in 2007. It is a market that presents great opportunities, but also many challenges. The panelists will bring their experience and offer their views on small and medium-size (SME) business opportunities in the China market, as well as information about Chinese investment in Tennessee. Topics will include due diligence, finding suitable partners, licensing, sales and marketing and investment.

12 - 1 p.m. - Lunch

1 - 2:40 p.m. - Technology Update
Randolph P. (Randy) Johnston, MCS, MCP, Executive Vice President, K2 Enterprises, Hammond, La.
There have been a tremendous number of hardware and architecture changes this year from servers to workstations, as well as new innovations in peripheral devices like mice and keyboards. Learn the latest on buying strategies and determining exactly what your business needs in order to not be left behind!

2:40 - 2:55 p.m. - Networking Break & Exhibit Viewing

2:55 - 4:25 p.m. - Economic Update
William F. Ford, Ph.D., Weatherford Chair of Finance, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
This presentation provides an update on the U.S. economy and Tennessee followed by a question and answer period.

4:25 p.m. - Conference Adjourns

Registration Information

Enroll soon because space is limited. Register by May 4 to pay the discounted registration fee. Registrations must be received seven days prior to the event in order to guarantee a seat and course materials. Allow approximately one week for receipt of confirmation.

Cancellations and Substitutions: Cancellations received by May 11 will be assessed a $30 administrative fee. Cancellations received between May 12 and May 18 will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50 percent of the program fee. No refunds are given on or after the date of the program. A $30 administrative fee will be assessed for all substitutions and transfers. Registrants may substitute another individual up to the day before the conference. TSCPA must be notified in advance to ensure proper CPE credit.

Conference Fee Includes: sessions, conference materials, continental breakfast, lunch and refreshment breaks.

TSCPA provides you with a Proof of Attendance that serves as your permanent record of participation. The Proof of Attendance, noting the credits earned, will be e-mailed within two weeks of the program.

If you have special needs under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please attach a written description or call the society office at 615/377-3825 or 1-800/762-0272.

4 Easy Ways to Register

By Mail
Mail completed registration form and payment to:
Educational & Memorial Foundation of TSCPA
201 Powell Place, Brentwood, TN 37027

This conference is presented by The Educational & Memorial Foundation of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants and the TSCPA Industry Conference Committee.

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