Consulegis: Autumn Conference in Baden-Baden

Autumn Conference in Baden-Baden / Germany, October 12 - 15, 2006

FOTO GALLERY

Report

CONSULEGIS Fall Meeting 2006 in Baden-Baden, Germany, another highpoint in the series of successful membership meetings

Hosts of this year's fall meeting were for the first time five member firms:

Germany / Mannheim:		- GSM Rechtsanwälte - Dr. Weber & Partner GbR
Germany / Freiburg:		- Dr. Grund, Grund, Hüllenkremer & Räuchle Rechtsanwälte
France / Strasbourg:		- HSKA Avocats Associés
Switzerland / Muttenz:		- Völlminpartners Advokaten & Notare

At the hosts' request, the meeting took place in beautiful Baden-Baden and bore the motto “An invitation from three countries“. Some 170 people from a total of 68 law firms (including nine guest firms) accepted the invitation and enjoyed a colorful bouquet of interesting presentations and discussions, stimulating events, cultivated hotel service, and a Baden-Baden bathed in autumn colors. Guests came from North and Latin America, India, Malaysia, Sudan, and naturally Europe.

: Pre-Dinner, Restaurant Baldrein (Baden-Baden)

: The conference hotel, the Steigenberger Europäischer Hof, and its sophisticated facilities and top-flight service were fully satisfactory.

: Dr. Klaus Michael Rückert, First Mayor of Baden-Baden, opens the conference.

The meeting itself took place in the Conference Center of the Baden-Baden Kurhaus. The Presentations by Patrick Schindler („Arbitration - a report“) and Michael Hemming, US (Consulegis core business group Mediation), created much interest. Mr. Hemming's proposal to found a business group “Mediation“ drew a positive response in an ad hoc survey.

The open discussion on Friday afternoon focused on two issues („Strategic Growth“ and „Improvement in Flow of Consulegis conferences). A consensus prevailed that Consulegis should continue to admit more members and should also seek to be represented in areas where only few or no members exist (Africa, the Far East, Australia, etc.). The Board's decision to create six regionaltask forces to focus on identifying suitable potential members in different parts of the world was enthusiastically approved.

One proposal that aroused interest, and was adopted, was that the volume of referrals arising in connection with Consulegis be recorded, so that this information can be used as a reference in discussions with potential clients and new members.

With regard to organization of the two annual international conferences, it was again pointed out that the program was overloaded. Proposed solutions involved reducing the formal part to a maximum of two hours and moving the key speaker's presentation to the noon meal. A wide divergency of views was expressed regarding starting times. Some argued that the meeting should begin at 9 or even 10-00 am. on Friday and Saturday instead of at 8:30 am., whilst others argued for the status quo. It was also proposed that specialist group meetings be staggered, so that those interested could attend more than one meeting. The general opinion prevailed that topics and programs in specialist groups should be discussed in greater specifics. One overseas participant proposed holding only one international meeting (e.g., the spring annual general meeting) and replacing the existing fall meeting with regional group meetings.

: Patrick Schindler, Toronto

: Michael Hemming, Los Angeles

: Dr. Ing. h. c. Martin Herrenknecht

A highpoint was the guest presentation by Dr. Martin Herrenknecht, Ing. H.c., CEO and president of Herrenknecht AG in Schwanau near Lahr, Germany, a world leader in tunnel construction. Dr. Herrenknecht conveyed a fascinating insight to his audience on a very specialized business sector.

: Dr. Pedro de Almeida, Lisboa, presents the Dr. Thomas Marx Award to award winner Luiz Fernando Guilherme da Silva, Rio de Janero

s usual, participants' gastronomic appetites were also well satisfied. The meeting opened on Thursday evening with a welcoming cocktail and stand-up buffet in the elegant setting of the Baden-Baden Gaming Casino. On Friday evening the Hotel “Europäischer Hof“ offered a three-nation buffet with specialties from France, Switzerland, and Germany.
Eliana Burki supported this event by two appearances. She employed the alphorn with full ”sound“ and artistry as a fourth instrument (besides piano, bass, and drums) to perform outstanding jazz music. Listeners were fascinated!

On Saturday participants and guests could choose between a visit to Strasbourg, a tour of the Black Forest, or a golf tournament.

The meeting closed with an excellent evening meal (star chef Armin Röttele) in the romantic Neuweier Castle. The Alsatian band Petitu then played catchy dance tunes, and there was no stopping the merry-making. The celebration continued until 2 a.m.

: The Hosts: (from left) Mme Lilyane Anstett-Gardea, Strasbourg/France, Kurt-Günther Geiger, Mannheim/Germany, Jan Hendrik Holtkamp, Mannheim/Germany, Dr. Jochen Grund, Freiburg/Germany, Dr. Thomas Ramseier, Muttenz/Basel/Switzerland

We express our warm thanks to the hosts for this extremely well-organized meeting in Baden-Baden and hope that we will all see each other again for the general assembly meeting 3-5 May 2007 in Prague.