ACC'S 2009 Annual Meeting Kicks Off in Boston
In-house counsel and legal industry professional from around the world came together at Boston’s Hynes Convention Center as ACC kicked off its Annual Meeting with a Welcome Reception and networking event in the Exhibit Hall on Sunday evening. Over 100 event sponsors and exhibitors were on hand from international law firms, top litigation support providers and leaders in knowledge management -- all ready to interact with attendees and support the in-house counsel community. Many are returning sponsors, and some are new this year, but one thing is for certain – all are energized and ready to engage with attendees and explain what they can do to help in-house counsel, their clients and legal departments.
With the challenges many have been confronted with, along with the cuts in travel budgets, it’s a great testament to the association and the quality of programs offered that, once again, the Annual Meeting is expected to draw an impressive crowd of more than 1600 in-house counsel and over 2400 total attendees. ACC President Fred Krebs is extremely satisfied with this year’s turnout, and noted during the Leadership Dinner later in the evening, “We have more attendees here with us this year than last year….and ACC closed out the fiscal year on September 30 with over 25,000 members worldwide.”
As Krebs addressed the packed room at the Leadership Dinner, he thanked Iron Mountain for their sponsorship of the evening’s event and further explained, “This year’s conference will focus on value and how to leverage resources, without comprising quality. ACC has worked with its members, chapters, committees and supporters to put together a program that, over the next three days, will provide attendees with efficiencies, tools and networking opportunities to help in-house counsel lead their departments and their companies through the challenges, as well as identify the opportunities, to thrive into the future.”
Krebs was joined by outgoing Board Chair, Dan Fitz, and incoming chair, Pat Hatler, to present this year’s award winners with their much deserved recognition for outstanding achievements and support. In between bites of salmon sliders and Hoisin duck rolls, attendees applauded this year’s award winners:
· Robert I. Townsend, Jr. Member of the Year: John Tanner, Senior Vice President & Division Counsel at McGriff, Seibels & Williams.
· Committee of the Year: Employment & Labor Committee
· Committee Member of the Year: Jeffrey R. Stern
· Committee Sponsors of the Year: Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice and Jackson Lewis
· Outstanding Chapters: The Austin Chapter (Small, less than 250 members); Colorado Chapter and San Diego Chapter (Medium, 250-750 members); DELVACCA Chapter (Large, 750+ members)
· Chapter Challenge: The Israel Chapter and the Charlotte Chapter (Small); The St. Louis Chapter (Medium); and the Chicago Chapter (Large)
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In addition, Krebs recognized ACC’s Northeast Chapter and its President, Paul Cushing, for their unyielding support of ACC and for their assistance as host Chapter for this year’s Annual Meeting. Krebs also welcomed a number of organizations that made the trip to Boston – some so far as Australia – including, Veta Richardson, from the Minority Corporate Counsel Association; David Patience and Tony Degovrik from the Australian Corporate Lawyers Association; Rodney Moore and Maurice Foster from the National Bar Association; and Esther Lardent from the Pro Bono Institute. Accolades were capped off with recognition for the 12 past ACC Board Chairs attending this year’s Annual Meeting – a record number.
As the evening drew to an end, the buzz was still going strong --- the next three days are sure to be filled with engaging encounters, interesting insights and awareness for new ideas and opportunities among the thousands of in-house counsel in Boston this week.
* Susan E. Jacobsen, formerly ACC’s Director of Communications, was retained by ACC to cover this year’s Annual Meeting and will be providing coverage of the sessions and networking events throughout the conference.
