The 2011 World Link for Law Annual Conference was held in mid November (Spring time), at the Four Seasons Hotel overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Although overall attendance was less than usual, the comments from many delegates were that it was an excellent and very enjoyable conference. It was also good to be able to meet many Executive Lawyers from Bartier Perry in Sydney and other members from New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong often unable to attend our European or Americas based conferences.

In addition to a variety of presentations ranging from parallel importing issues, doing business in China and in ‘conflict countries’ and client management and association development issues, we had a range of social events starting with an Australian pub barbecue, then a boat ferry to a modern beach side restaurant in Manly, up to a revolving 47th floor restaurant for a gala dinner, a bridge climb, Opera House tour and city excursion including a memorable lunch cruise around the bay.

It was our first conference in Australia (and an important commitment to the region) and many members used it as an opportunity to travel to other destinations in Australia and nearby countries.

View of Sydney at night-time from the bridge.	Time to relax after the conference…on board ‘Sydney 2000’ for the Saturday lunch cruise.

The conference hotel

We stayed at the Four Seasons hotel on George St, mainly because of its location at the top end of Alfred Square, with close proximity to the Rocks (with its bars and restaurants and Saturday market); also close to the many ferries that leave Circular Quay, criss-crossing Sydney’s natural harbour, but principally because of its views overlooking the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. It was a short walk to all the other events that we had chosen.

A view from the Four Seasons Hotel.	The hotel lobby and breakfast room above.

Wednesday evening- pre-conference dinner at Phillip’s Foote restaurant, The Rocks, Sydney

After a very short walk from the hotel, following the afternoon Board meeting, a welcome drink was waiting at Phillips Foote Australian pub/restaurant, and an opportunity to catch up with colleagues and friends before the conference. Phillips Foote is a well known informal semi- alfresco style restaurant where you barbecue your own steak, lamb cutlets or chicken.

Take your pick….	….then cook it yourself. There are instructions about cooking times in case you are not a great chef!
	Part of our group in the courtyard eating area.

The conference business programme

After the introductions, Michael Cossetto of Bartier Perry presented about current parallel importing issues followed by visiting speaker David Kenney of accountants Hall Chadwick (Sydney) who talked about his experiences of doing business in China, doubling up with Chris Short of member firm Weir & Associates, Hong Kong and Shanghai (whose presentation was reprised later in the afternoon). After the coffee break, President elect Paul Sillis of Collyer Bristow LLP, London, spoke about UK solicitors anti-money laundering policies in respect of client engagement issues. Lunch was held in a private dining room and followed by a presentation from invited speaker David Levi about trends in corporate bankruptcy, turnaround and restructuring processes. Peter Kirpensteijn of Dutch member firm, Kiveld, team leader of the Tax law special interest group spoke about the importance, objectives and implications of developing special interest groups within World Link. Towards the end of the first conference day, John Heimsath provided a short introduction to his firm, Heimsath Alexander, in New Zealand.

On Friday morning after the Annual General Assembly, when a new Board was elected, Phillipe Bedard (newly elected Vice President) provided a short update about the World Link Quality Code. Finally Paul Jordan of Hart Security (Australia) spoke about the practical, safety and security aspects of doing business in countries such as Iraq, Haiti, Iran, Papua New Guinea and Afghanistan. It was an illuminating talk which produced many questions from the floor not least because of Paul’s military background in the special forces.

Will Murphy, Chairman of Bartier Perry makes a "Welcome" introduction at the beginning of the conference.	After the General Assembly newly elected President Paul Sillis of Collyer Bristow LLP, London, presents outgoing President, Jim Dawe of Dawe & Christopherson LLP, San Francisco with a gift of an engraved fob watch, with gratitude for 6 years service as President.

Thursday night – ferry to Manly and dinner at Hugos

Traditionally Thursday night has become a casual evening and in this spirit after the first conference day we set off for a short walk to catch the ferry to Manly (the other side of Sydney harbour and bordering the Pacific Ocean on one side). At the front of the boat it was windy and sunny but a refreshing experience after a day in a conference room. On arrival, having each been given a short briefing note and map, we spent some ‘free time’ exploring Manly before meeting for pre-dinner drinks in a very busy and noisy bar at Hugos, after which we joined our sea facing tables in a reserved area for dinner. The main course, a choice of Waygu beef or salmon was served in the Australian style on an alternate drop basis. Later we returned to Sydney by ferry and a chance to catch the impressive view of the city, bridge and Opera House, lit up at night time.

Setting off on the short walk to wharf 3 at Circular Quay for the 30 minute ferry journey to Manly.	Arriving at Manly by ferry. Hugos restaurant is in the foreground on the edge of the pier.
In the busy bar area at Hugos.	Dinner at Hugos in our reserved seating area.

Friday afternoon – Express Bridge Climb or Opera House

On Friday afternoon there were two options for delegates and their guests. A small group had opted to make the Express (two hour) Bridge Climb – the weather was fantastic for such an event; it had been raining earlier in the week, whilst another group visited the Sydney Opera House for a guided tour (ably led by Lars Espersen from Denmark).

The courageous Bridge Climb boys!	The impressive inside features of the Sydney Opera House

Friday night gala dinner at the Summit restaurant

The World Link for Law gala dinner was held in the 47th floor revolving Summit Restaurant (owned by the award winning Chef Michael Moore) in the cylindrically shaped Australia Square building. It was daylight as we arrived for pre-dinner drinks in a private room (kindly hosted by Bartier Perry) and we were treated to some fantastic panoramic views of Sydney as the sun set, but the rotation was slightly (but not unpleasantly) disorientating. The ladies also discovered that it was a good idea to keep hold of their handbags as the floor was rotating, but not the outside window and its shelf, which meant that after 10 minutes, their handbag, if left on the window shelf, was about 20 feet away from them! There was no conference quiz as it was a public restaurant – less work for the organiser! A very nice 3 course dinner was served followed by coffee and liquors.

Carlo Malossi, Mark Allen, Orlando Parente de Camara Filho, Michael Raschendorfer and Olli Peltola	One view from the Summit - the Four Seasons is in the foreground to the left

Saturday excursion – city tour and harbour cruise

Luckily, the weather was good for the full day Saturday tour, which started with a city bus tour with our Italian/Australian guide/driver, Angelo. We visited the main parts of the city that we had not already seen, stopped at the landmark of Mrs Macquarie’s Chair (set into harbour side rocks); and went onto Bondi beach and back to the city to catch our ‘cruise ship’ for lunch in a private room (and deck) at the front of the boat.

At Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.	A drink before lunch, whilst taking in the views.
Lunch in our private salon.	A casual walk at Bondi beach.
A cool beer or soft drink in a beach bar at Bondi.	Bus stop at the entrance to Sydney harbour looking towards Manly.

See you at the next annual conference in Moscow, Russia (13-16 June 2012)