The first day of the Congress concentrates on two specific items - firstly, an introduction to the country where the meeting is being held....how and why The Netherlands is such an important player in the world of international business and why it is such a good base to do business from, and secondly, an introspective look at our own organization.

Initially, a presentation on the challenges facing an organization such as ourselves in light of the increasing amount of claims arising around the world and how to protect against this, and then a chance to discuss the practical implications of retaining AGN’s status as an Association. This latter session will be interactive with an initial presentation and then subsequent round table discussions. The day will end with the Annual General Meeting of the Company, comprising the presentation of the audited 2006 financials, the re-election of directors and some other administrative matters.

The second day is a departure from all previous Congresses. The entire day will be given over to defining and demonstrating the concept of Leadership. The agenda comprises of a few presentations covering the subjects of Leadership compared to Management and how to motivate persons, interspersed with practical exercises to demonstrate these concepts. A self determining biometric survey will also be part of the programme. The exercises will be undertaken by delegates in teams with the chance of winning a prize and companions will be
able to join delegates for the afternoon session to partake in the last practical exercise.

The team presenting the day’s sessions are experienced facilitators of effective leadership performance obtained through both coaching and training. Leadership Solutions Europe (www.lse.lu). The meeting will close with an address from the new Chair of AGN.

Give some thought to a new meaning for the letters “A” “G” “N”*... and submit your ideas to your managing partner ASAP.

The prize for the best idea: free delegate and companion fee to either the 2007 World Congress in Amsterdam or the 2008 World Congress in Buenos Aires!

A preview of the social program:

Sunday, September 30
• 11:30 a.m. -- a 1 1/2 half hour panoramic city tour by coach for all delegates and companions. The coach will drop the group at a very special restaurant which is world renowned and which consists of five joined houses, the oldest of which dates back to 1627.
• After lunch, the group will board canal boats from the restaurant’s very own jetty and be transported through the canals in the ancient city centre for a water borne sightseeing tour, which will end at the Renaissance Hotel’s landing stage.
• 7:30 p.m. -- A welcome cocktail party will be held at the hotel and its venue will be the unique church environment which will be the setting for the technical sessions for the following two days. In this way, both delegates and companions will be introduced to and be able to see at first hand the extraordinary location which will be AGN ‘s home for the next few days.

Monday, October 1
Companions will be coached to the city of Delft (www.visitdelft.com), which received its charter in 1246. The city centre retains many old and historical buildings, and many streets have canals in the centre, and time will be given to the group to see these sights and sample the local atmosphere.

The main reason for visiting this city however will be a trip to the factory and showroom of Delft Blue Pottery (www.royaldelft.com).  The city is world famous for the Delft pottery ceramic products which were styled on the imported Chinese porcelain of the 17th century. 

After this, companions will travel onto The Hague (www.denhaag.com), the political capital of the country. The tour will pass by many of its palaces and a walk will be taken through the buildings of the “Binnenhof”, the seat of the Dutch Government. Lunch will be enjoyed in a local Dutch restaurant before visiting the Mauritshuys Museum in the city centre with its collection of famous Dutch painters. The group will then return to Amsterdam and the hotel.

In the evening, both delegates and companions will enjoy a dine-around at restaurants previously selected; lists of these restuarants and a description of each will be posted up at the Welcome Cocktail and sign up can be made at that time.

Tuesday, October 2
Companions will be divided into small groups and a local guide will walk them through the most picturesque neighborhood of Amsterdam, called “Jordaan”.  This word is a derivation from the French word “jardin” and all the streets of the area carry names of flowers or bushes; in addition, the gardens of local houses are to be seen to be believed. The neighborhood also offers interesting antique shops and other interesting shops. A light lunch will be taken before returning to the hotel by 1pm. The afternoon has been left free for companions to enjoy whatever aspects of the city that they would like to, such as the Van Gogh Museum or one of the other many museums.

In the evening, after a short drive out of Amsterdam, we will arrive at the location for the formal gala dinner and dance closing the Congress. In line with recent meetings, it is being held at an innovative and unusual location reflecting one of the many specific contributions that The Netherlands has made to the daily enjoyment of life……..a venue that all will enjoy.

FRANCE
Groupe Excel
Olivier Avril is also the Contact Partner for Group Excel together with Antione Hubert.

A copy of all correspondence should be sent to Olivier Avril as well as to Antoine Hubert. Oliver Avril's email address is: olivier.avril@caderas-martin.com and his contact details can be found ono page 38 of the 2007 World Directory in the office of Caderas Martin.

GERMANY
Becker Buttner Held

• (Munich office) Manfred Ettinger is the Tax Contact Partner
• Christopher von Weidenbach should read Christoph von Weidenbach
• (Berlin office) the post code should read 50678 Cologne

HUNGARY
Consultatio KFT
the new Contact partner for the firm is:
Laszlo Bartok

his direct e-mail address is:
bartok.laszlo@consultatiobp.hu

ITALY
AGN Serca
Antonino Girelli is now the Contact Partner in the place of Giovanni Brondi

LATVIA
IMG SIA
have moved offices and their new address is:
Cesu Street 31, 1st corp
1012 Riga
Latvia
and the e-mail address is now:
img@img.lv
the tel/fax nos. stay the same

MALTA
AGN - Mercieca Ciantar Associates
the Post Code should now read: STJ 1881

SCOTLAND
Chiene & Tait
have left the organisation

SRI LANKA
AbeyRatna & Co
the address should read:
Sir Baron Jayatilleke Mawatha
2nd Floor, YMBA Building
(P.O. Box 2027)
Colombo 1
Sri Lanka

SWITZERLAND
Fiduciaria Mega
(Chiasso & Lugano office) the second e-mail address should read:
last name@fiduiariamega.ch

USA
Sproles Woodard
(New Mexico office) the e-mail address is now:
artesiapic@sproles.com
and Kerry M. Gordon is now the Contact Partner

(Midland, Texas office) the e-mail address is now:
midlandpic@sproles.com