26 Oct 2020

Largest conference attendance in its history for MSI Global Alliance

MSI Global Alliance (MSI) welcomes 900 delegates from more than 150 member firms to its first Virtual International Conference.

MSI is a leading association of independent legal and accounting firms in over 100 countries, and conferences are the bedrock of its member engagement and networking. As with many organisations, travel restrictions resulting from the global pandemic led to the cancellation of 2020 events. MSI quickly pivoted to online engagement, embracing the digital space with the launch of its first Virtual International Conference. The digital conference ran from 20-22 October 2020 with the central theme of ‘Preparing for an uncertain future’. A record number of 900 delegates from over 60 countries heard how to do business, look after their people and practices, and prepare for the future in an uncertain world. Six keynote speakers, chosen for their expertise and reputation, delivered live presentations that were thought-provoking and insightful. To enhance member engagement and prevent screen fatigue, the conference programme included 50 breakout sessions. These included panel discussions, networking and collaboration sessions as well as variety of social activities, yoga and art classes. There really was something for everyone! Delegates had the opportunity to set up individual or small group meetings and video calls to catch up with existing acquaintances and make new connections. For any members unable to attend, all live sessions were recorded for wider dissemination post-event. Commenting on the conference success, MSI’s CEO, Tim Wilson said, “I am really grateful to the MSI Secretariat team who worked tirelessly to make our first Virtual International Conference such a resounding success. We quadrupled the capacity of a physical conference, enabling us to engage and collaborate with many more MSI members. I thank our excellent presenters, our generous sponsors, and our MSI members for their participation, focus, inspiration and collaboration.” The conference included an opportunity to celebrate MSI’s 30^th Anniversary with a virtual drinks reception and video presentation. Tim Wilson concludes, “What a unique, exciting and enjoyable way to celebrate 30 successful years of MSI. As we look to the future, I have no doubt we will continue to host virtual events alongside physical ones, allowing for increased inclusivity and involvement.”

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