Continuing education program set for 2002-2003: Institute holds line on fees; plans annual conference with significant Canadian content and early bird discount; slates two-day seminar on consolidated returns.

• Position: Continuing Education

Tax Executives Institute will sponsor an impressive array of conferences, seminars, and courses for the coming year, according to Raymond G. Rossi, the 2002-2003 chair of TEI's Continuing Education Committee Chair. In addition to the fall and spring three-day conferences, the Institute will hold an international tax planning seminar on managing taxes in a competitive global economy, a two-day primer on consolidated returns, and the Institute's renowned program on IRS audits and appeals. In addition, five week-long courses on state and local, international, and federal tax issues will be offered, and the Institute is planning to hold at least five telephone seminars on breaking developments.

"The program for the upcoming year represents an exceptional value for TEI members," Mr. Rossi stated. "Year after year, our committees offer outstanding technical content for a reasonable price. The Institute's conferences, courses, and seminars are the best educational bargain in North America." He noted that the Institute's continuing education budget contained no general fee increases. "In light of the restrictions on corporate travel and training, we think it is important to keep our fees as low as possible. We also continue to explore alternative means of delivery educational content, including telephone seminars and eventually webcasts."

Annual Conference

Continuing the practice begun in 2002, TEI's Annual Conference will begin with a reception on Sunday evening, October 21, with concurrent educational sessions beginning the following morning. Mr. Rossi stated that, given the Toronto location of the conference, it was appropriate to add a third track of sessions of special interest to Canadians and others whose companies have significant operations north of the 49th parallel. "The Canadian venue provides a golden opportunity to focus on a wide-range of cross-border issues, including investment strategies, reorganizations, transfer pricing, and GST and customs," he said. "We are especially pleased that the Competent Authorities from both the United States and Canada have agreed to participate."

Another innovation this year is a session reserved for late-breaking developments in tax shelters and Canada's general anti-avoidance rule. "We are gratified that Acting Assistant Treasury Secretary Pam Olson and Commissioner Charles Rossotti will be the keynote speakers," Mr. Rossi added that another likely keynote speaker is a senior Canadian tax official...