Patricia S. Eyres, JD, CSP

Presenter: Patricia S. Eyres, JD, CSP
President, Litigation Management &
    Training Services, Inc.
Publisher/CEO, Proactive Law Press, LLC
Website
Bio

Corporate scandals have captured the attention of both the media and the Congress. To increase financial accountability and control, Congress enacted the Sarbanes-Oxley Corporate Responsibility Act (often called “SOX”). At first, SOX placed significant responsibilities on executives and auditors. This year, the law extends its reach to financial reporting that impacts the entire meetings industry. Conventions, travel and incentive awards and a host of other “meeting-related” activities fall squarely within the SOX compliance requirements.

Many meeting planners and other industry professionals are completely unaware of how the new SOX requirements will directly impact your day-to-day work. Worse yet, those who are informed are uncertain about the extent to which you will need to implement new procedures, controls and record-keeping. Meeting planners need the tools to comply with the law and to interface seamlessly with executives who are accountable for certifying financial controls on meetings and travel. Learn the in’s and out’s of this critical legislation.

This hands-on workshop is designed to go beyond the traditional breakout session to include substantial opportunities for interactive discussion, facilitated exercises and skill building. You will learn why documentation is the most critical factor in SOX compliance and will leave the workshop with concrete skills you can use immediately to help your documentation work for – and not against you – in the boardroom or the courtroom.

After participating in this session, you will be able to:

1. Recognize and describe how the Sarbanes Oxley legislation impacts the roles of meetings industry professionals in controlling and documenting the way meeting space, hotel rooms, airline tickets, food and beverage and other services are selected and contracted.
2. Establish policies and documentation procedurs to determine what portion of travel or offsite meeting-related expenses a company will pay and what will be considered personal charges.
3. Recognize the due diligence required of meeting planners to assure the safely of a meeting destination and venue and then implement the specific requirements for documenting measures to insure the safety of meeting attendees.
4. Describe the fundamental aspects of whistleblower protection built into the law and the rights/responsibilities of all individuals during an internal investigation.
5. Use seven principles of effective documentation to assure that your records not only meet compliance requirements, but also provide bottom line value to your organization.

Holiday Inn Express & Janesville Conference Center
3100 Wellington Place
Janesville, WI 53546
Phone: (608) 756-3100
Web: click here/
Rates: $71
Block Reservation Deadline: April 7, 2006

Holiday Inn Express & Janesville Conference Center