Why This Year’s ACFE Annual Fraud Conference Will Be Better Than Last Year’s

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GUEST BLOGGER

Kevin Taparauskas, CFE

ACFE Director of Marketing and Events

At the conclusion of each ACFE Annual Fraud Conference, we ask attendees for feedback on the event. We get comments on nearly every component of the 2000+ attendee conference – from speaker and topic selection to room temperature to networking opportunities. We take this feedback very seriously and scour each and every response in detail. What we are really trying to learn is how we can make it better.

I like to think we do make it better each and every year. ACFE staff works tirelessly to upgrade our flagship conference to make it more valuable for our members and attendees. This year’s 23rd Annual ACFE Fraud Conference & Exhibitionin Orlando, June 17-22, is no exception.

Here are a few reasons I am convinced this year’s event will be better than last year’s:

Keynote Speakers – I am not exaggerating when I say that this year’s keynotes will be our highest-rated group on record. I have seen several of them speak and heard great things about the others. They are a dynamic group of individuals with truly fantastic stories to share.

Conference Program – Based on numerous requests, we have added a 12th track focused entirely on Professional Development. In addition, we have updated our speaker and topic lineup to better reflect our growing global presence. For the first time, many of our top speakers from our international conferences will be coming to Orlando to share their expertise.

Shuttle Services – While we aim to hold the Conference in very close proximity to a majority of the hotel rooms, some Conference locations are better for walking, dining, shopping and entertainment. Orlando is not necessarily one of those cities. We listened to attendees and are providing evening shuttle service to some great local hotspots. Whatever you can’t find on-site at the Gaylord Resort, you will be able to get to conveniently by taking a short shuttle ride.

Career Fair – While the Career Connection offers something for all attendees, whether they are looking for a job or not, this year’s new Career Fair is primarily for those looking to make their next moves. The event will be Monday, June 18 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. and will feature top employers from nearly every sector.

Conference App – This one is still in development so I can’t reveal too much at this point. But I will say that, beyond the basics of the Conference, our new app will be a great way to connect with other attendees and engage in social media.

Just a few months to go…see ya in Orlando!

ACFE Annual Fraud Conference: Stories from behind the scenes

AUTHOR'S POST

Mandy Moody

ACFE Social Media Specialist

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Vindication. The one word to aptly sum up the tumultuous rollercoaster ride for whistleblower and ex-CEO Michael Woodford after hearing news break yesterday that Japanese prosecutors had arrested three of Olympus’ top executives and four of its consultants for a $1.7 billion fraud.

At each twist and turn of the Olympus scandal, I have followed Woodford’s plight and watched anxiously as he has moved from accuser to whistleblower to now, crusader, in a saga that is not even close to being finished. This story, along with many others, will be just a few of the highlights at the 23rd Annual Fraud Conference & Exhibition in Orlando this June.

Woodford is one of five keynote speakers to address the more than 2,300 anti-fraud professionals at this year’s Conference. Joining him is U.S. Senator Chris Dodd, co-author of the Dodd-Frank Act; Pamela Meyer, CFE, best-selling author of Liespotting; Diana Henriques, The New York Times senior financial writer and author of The Wizard of Lies; and Mark Whitacre, convicted fraudster and subject of “The Informant.”

To add to the keynote roster, the more than 60 breakout sessions spread out over 12 tracks round out a conference offering something for everyone. Here are a few session titles to spark your curiosity:

  • Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Online and Fraud
  • Ethics Panel: It May Be Legal, But is it Ethical?
  • Online Fraud in the Age of “Wikileaks”
  • Putting the Freud in Fraud
  • The UK Bribery Act, the FCPA and the Rising Tide of Anti- Corruption
  • Developing the Corporate Investigator, the First Year
  • Financial Statement Fraud - Chinese Style
  • Managing Client Expectations

Ok, I’ve probably already given away too much. We look forward to another exciting Conference and hope to see you in Orlando in June. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks.