Upstate New York Chapters hold 53rd Annual Tri-Chapter Conference.

• Author: De Jong, Daniel B.
• Position: Chapter News - Conference news

For 53 years, members of TEI's upstate New York chapters have gathered in the spring to network with colleagues and earn a full day of valuable CPE. This year's Tri-Chapter Conference drew more than 120 people. The May 1 program was opened by Neil Cieminis of Wilmorite Management Group, President of the Rochester Chapter, who recognized the large group of volunteers who made the meeting such a success.

"Year after year, members of these chapters amaze me with the time and effort they give to this conference," Mr. Cieminis noted. TEI's International President David Penney made the trip across Lake Ontario from Toronto to summarize the Institute's key initiatives during the year. During his morning remarks, Mr. Penney reviewed TEI's "Vision 20/20" strategic planning project, which is intended to ensure that TEI remains the preeminent association for in-house tax professionals worldwide.

The high caliber of the presenters is a tribute to both the planners and the audience. Les Schneider of Ivins, Phillips & Barker got things rolling with a plenary session discussing accounting methods, focusing on proposed regulations governing capitalization of materials and supplies, repairs, and expenditures for tangible property. Next, participants had a choice between international and state & local topics before reconvening for a plenary Washington Update session with Hank Gutman of KPMG. While the prospects for tax reform remains murky at best, Mr. Gutman predicted that Congress will extend the Bush tax cuts for two years to allow time for real tax reform to materialize.

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Thomas. Mattox, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, was the luncheon speaker...