IAIR Conference and Annual General Meeting - 2014 The World Bank Conference Centre, Washington D.C, USA
“Innovation in Insolvency Regulation”
The 2014 conference and annual general meeting of the International Association of Insolvency Regulators (IAIR) took place in the United States' capital city – Washington DC.
The conference programme provided essential information and updates for regulatory bodies around the world that are facing the challenges of providing an insolvency regime in the current difficult financial climate.
Delegates benefited from:
- Keynote speech by Richard Judge, UK Insolvency Service
- Discussions from leading speakers, on a range of challenges facing insolvency regimes around the world including: Use of technology to manage the insolvency process, Reining in the cost of Bankruptcy, Change and innovation in Government post 9/11, - Insolvency of Government Bodies (Detroit), Global Forum on Global Forum on Law, Justice and Development
- Three streams of workshops based on case studies and debate
- The association’s Annual General Meeting and updates on insolvency regulation from a number of member countries
- A visit to the United States Bankruptcy Court in Greenbelt, Maryland
CONFERENCE SOCIAL EVENTS
1. Welcome Reception
A drinks reception was hosted in the World Bank on Monday 8th September from 6.00pm to 8.00pm.
This event was included in the cost of the delegate fee and the accompanying partners fee.
2. Formal Conference Dinner
The formal dinner was held on Tuesday 9th September from 7pm onwards at the Top of the Town (TOTT). Top of the Town is a reception and conference facility that offers beautiful panoramic views of the Washington skyline. It is just across the river and looks back into the city. It sits on the 12th floor of a building with floor to ceiling windows perched just above the Iwo Jima Memorial with views of the Washington Monument, the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, the Capitol Building, and the Kennedy Center. We will have full use of the facility (rooftop outdoor patio and indoor area).
This event was included in the cost of the delegate fee and the accompanying partners fee.
3. Informal Dinner
Feedback from the 2013 conference suggested that members would prefer to have an informal dinner arranged for the remaining evening during the conference, rather than have a “free night”. Hence this was arranged this for Wednesday 10th September from 7pm onwards.

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Venue
Worldbank
Address: 1818 H Street Northwest Washington, DC 20433, United States Phone - +1 202-473-1000We were delighted that our partner The World Bank was able to offer us the use of their conference venue in the stunning location of Washington DC. The conference was hosted by the Executive Committee of IAIR in association with the World Bank.
The main conference took place in room MC 13-121 which is set up with an integrated AV system and a number of wall screens around the room.
The drinks reception will be held in Private Dining Room ABC.
Melrose Georgetown Hotel, Washington DC
In seeking a recommended hotel the Executive Committee tried to provide a hotel that was:
- in relative close proximity (walking distance) to the World Bank venue
- likely to be achieved within the usual government approved rates
- provided the standard and quality of hotel that IAIR members have become accustomed to
Hence the recommended hotel (with whom we arranged the best possible price) was:
The Melrose Georgetown Hotel
2430 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
Phone - 202-955-6400
Fax - 202-775-8489
Email - info@melrosehoteldc.comIt is 8-10 minutes walk from the World Bank – a fairly direct route (with little opportunity to get lost!)
The Melrose Georgetown Hotel is a AAA 4-star boutique hotel in Washington, DC offering remarkable accommodations and amenities. Sharing a Pennsylvania Avenue address with the White House, the hotel offers a prestigious setting just steps from Georgetown and the Foggy Bottom Metro station and convenient to top attractions such as the National Mall, George Washington University, the Kennedy Center, Smithsonian museums, and the Potomac Riverfront.
It offers luxurious guest rooms and suites with black granite bathrooms and a huge selection of contemporary amenities, including high-speed Internet access, a modern fitness center and business center, meeting space for events and handcrafted cocktails at The Lounge.
The Hotel held a number of rooms for us at this special rate – until 6 weeks before the conference.
Members were responsible for booking their own hotel rooms directly with the hotel and to secure the negotiated conference rates they quoted “1409IAIRAN”. For delegates arriving before or staying after the conference the Melrose charged the conference room rate for their entire stay.
Our contact with the Hotel was - Ella Savon | Director of Diplomatic and Government Sales.
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Programme
8th September 2014
toRegistration and NetworkingRegistration and Networking
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toIAIR Executive Committee Meeting (Executive Committee Members only)IAIR Executive Committee Meeting (Executive Committee Members only)
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toDrinks reception – at the World Bank Group Welcome to the World Bank Group and the World Bank Group’s role in the Insolvency landscapeDrinks reception – at the World Bank Group Welcome to the World Bank Group and the World Bank Group’s role in the Insolvency landscape
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9th September 2014
toKey note speech – “Innovation in government /public sector – a reality or a contradiction in terms”Dr Richard JudgeKey note speech – “Innovation in government /public sector – a reality or a contradiction in terms”
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toPlenary Session 2 – “The Changing Landscape of Bankruptcy in the USA”Clifford J White IIIPlenary Session 2 – “The Changing Landscape of Bankruptcy in the USA”
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toPlenary Session 3 - Panel Debate - Use of technology to manage the insolvency process”Doreen Solomon, Dean Beale - (Interim) Chief Executive Officer, UK insolvency ServicePlenary Session 3 - Panel Debate - Use of technology to manage the insolvency process”
From to Speakers: Doreen Solomon, Dean Beale - (Interim) Chief Executive Officer, UK insolvency Service Room:Managing the volumes of data, automated vetting of applications, linking to other organisations such as the courts etc., using the information to monitor the performance/behaviour of IPs.
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toPlenary Session 4 - Panel Debate - Reining in the cost of Bankruptcy – through efficiencies and controlling professional feesBill James, Ramona D Elliott - Deputy Director/General Counsel for the United States Trustees Program, Dean Beale - (Interim) Chief Executive Officer, UK insolvency ServicePlenary Session 4 - Panel Debate - Reining in the cost of Bankruptcy – through efficiencies and controlling professional fees
From to Speakers: Bill James, Ramona D Elliott - Deputy Director/General Counsel for the United States Trustees Program, Dean Beale - (Interim) Chief Executive Officer, UK insolvency Service Room:Members need to login for access to session documents
toWorkshop C1 - Cross border arrangements – managing a personal insolvency case involving assets located internationally,Mike Wilkins MBE, Viscount of JerseyWorkshop C1 - Cross border arrangements – managing a personal insolvency case involving assets located internationally,
From to Speakers: Mike Wilkins MBE, Viscount of Jersey Room:Members need to login for access to session documents
toWorkshop A1 - A hands on opportunity to look at examples of technologyLynne Riley, Kevin AndersonWorkshop A1 - A hands on opportunity to look at examples of technology
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toAfternoon Tea/Coffee and NetworkingAfternoon Tea/Coffee and Networking
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toWorkshop C2 – Corporate governance – balancing the roles of the board of directors, trustees and othersPrabha Chinien - Registrar of Companies Mauritius, Dr Irit MevorachWorkshop C2 – Corporate governance – balancing the roles of the board of directors, trustees and others
From to Speakers: Prabha Chinien - Registrar of Companies Mauritius, Dr Irit Mevorach Room:Members need to login for access to session documents
toWorkshop A2 – Establishing a new regulatory organisation/processLorcan O’Connor, Director (CEO) of the Insolvency Service of IrelandWorkshop A2 – Establishing a new regulatory organisation/process
From to Speakers: Lorcan O’Connor, Director (CEO) of the Insolvency Service of Ireland Room:Members need to login for access to session documents
toWorkshop B2 - The mortgage crisis – what impact is it having on insolvencyDiarmuid Gorham, Lisa TracyWorkshop B2 - The mortgage crisis – what impact is it having on insolvency
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toFeedback from the workshopsFeedback from the workshops
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toSummary and Close for the daySummary and Close for the day
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10th September 2014
toKey note Speech - Plenary Session 5 – Innovation in government in response to the emergencies of the corporate scandals of the early 2000sDick ThornburgKey note Speech - Plenary Session 5 – Innovation in government in response to the emergencies of the corporate scandals of the early 2000s
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toMorning Tea/Coffee and NetworkingMorning Tea/Coffee and Networking
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toWorkshop A3 – Developing best practice principles for the regulation/licencing of Insolvency PractitionersDean Beale - (Interim) Chief Executive Officer, UK insolvency Service, Bill JamesWorkshop A3 – Developing best practice principles for the regulation/licencing of Insolvency Practitioners
From to Speakers: Dean Beale - (Interim) Chief Executive Officer, UK insolvency Service, Bill James Room:Members need to login for access to session documents
toWorkshop B3 – Getting Debtors to make a fair contribution. Case study looking at the realisation of assets and collection of contributionsClaire OrrWorkshop B3 – Getting Debtors to make a fair contribution. Case study looking at the realisation of assets and collection of contributions
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toFeedback from the WorkshopFeedback from the Workshop
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toPlenary Session 6 – Panel Debate - The Case for Business Bankruptcy Reform in the U.S. -- A Report on the Commission to Reform Chapter 11Sam GerdanoPlenary Session 6 – Panel Debate - The Case for Business Bankruptcy Reform in the U.S. -- A Report on the Commission to Reform Chapter 11
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to“Field Trip” – opportunity to see innovation in practice in the USA - Visit to the United States Bankruptcy Court in Greenbelt, Maryland.Chief Judge Nancy Alquist“Field Trip” – opportunity to see innovation in practice in the USA - Visit to the United States Bankruptcy Court in Greenbelt, Maryland.
From to Speakers: Chief Judge Nancy Alquist Room:The visit will include an introduction, tour of clerk of court’s operation (e.g., case processing), and sitting in on court hearings
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toInformal Dinner - Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone CrabInformal Dinner - Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
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11th September 2014
toIAIR Annual General Meeting - N.B. For IAIR Members onlyIAIR Annual General Meeting - N.B. For IAIR Members only
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toUpdate on Word Bank ProjectsUpdate on Word Bank Projects
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toMorning Tea/Coffee and NetworkingMorning Tea/Coffee and Networking
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toFeedback on IAIR projects – Bankruptcy fees and approaches to charging (Scotland)Feedback on IAIR projects – Bankruptcy fees and approaches to charging (Scotland)
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toDiscussion of Topics for Future Projects/StudiesDiscussion of Topics for Future Projects/Studies
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toConclusion and Conference CloseConclusion and Conference Close
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- Conference Brochure
- Formal Gallery