December 2000

There’s Chocolate in Your Future

For those of you who are not aware, a marriage will soon take place. The Annual Conference, a New York State Society of CPAs mainstay for more than 60 years, will merge with the Annual Leadership Meeting, which brings together committee chairs, board members, young CPAs, chapter officers, and CPA candidates.

The new event, which will be known as the Annual Leadership Conference, will take place June 9–12, 2001, in the historic Hershey Hotel in Hershey, Pa.

In November, several staff and Annual Leadership Conference Committee members traveled to “the sweetest place on earth” to scout out the location and make arrangements for the conference. I am pleased to report that the hotel is beautiful, the food is great, and chocolate abounds wherever you turn.

This will be a conference unlike any other. This rare opportunity will provide a chance to get acquainted with the leaders who have shaped the Society and the leaders who will shape its future.

An open board of directors meeting, for example, will give those in attendance a change to meet and listen to talks by Society President-Elect Nancy Newman-Limata (who will then be president) and Executive Director Lou Grumet on the current state of the profession.

At various workshops, committee chairs will collaborate and interact with chapter officers, providing the guidance necessary to enable chapter officers to better serve their constituents. Young CPAs and CPA Candidates will be encouraged to meet with past Society presidents and other seasoned professionals.

The conference will combine leadership activities, social events, a conference run, and a golf tournament with CPE. An update on the independence issues currently under discussion at the SEC and a probing look into the “business-to-business” e-commerce developments in the profession are two topics that will be explored.

This will also be an excellent opportunity to include family members. The tour at Chocolate Town, USA, the Hershey Museum, and the famous historic trolley ride through Hershey are but a few of the many activities available for families. Watch The Trusted Professional for the announcement of this meeting. I urge you to set aside June 9–12 to take part in this historic event.

Come to the merger. Come to the wedding. Come to the joining of two important events. We look forward to seeing you. Should you have any questions, please contact the Society staff at (800) NYSSCPA (697-7272).