ACFE European Conference Begins in Brussels

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Allan Bachman, ACFE Education Manager

Live from the 2011 ACFE European Fraud Conference

With the most attendees and more countries represented than ever before (29), the 2011 ACFE European Fraud Conference in Brussels is off to a great start. Brussels also turns out to be a great host city, with a lot to see and do. I arrived a day early to allow for some self-guided sightseeing. The weather has been perfect for walking and taking photos.

The Pre-Conference was as topical as today’s news, featuring the UK Bribery Act and its 1 July implementation. Fredric Miller from PricewaterhouseCoopers presented a great analysis of the Bribery Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other anti-bribery and corruption legislation around the world. There is a lot of “wait and see” as many of us are waiting to see how the UK legislation will be enforced and prosecuted. The early cases will definitely be instructive.

Day two featured a keynote from James D. Ratley, CFE, ACFE President and CEO. His reception from the attendees was warm and his message universal. The luncheon speaker from Europol used a great slide presentation to illustrate issues Europol faces in addressing fraud around the European Union (EU) and the world.

The breakout sessions featured a variety of international speakers discussing everything from charity fraud to fraud investigation issues in specific EU countries and interviewing techniques.

The networking among attendees is a critical component of the conference and the networking reception tonight should be well attended. I’m looking forward to meeting even more attendees and hearing their stories and backgrounds. Now, on to the next session!

Are you in Brussels? Tell us how the conference is going for you in the Comments section below.

ACFE Hosts European Fraud Conference in Brussels this April

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Koen Albers, ACFE Belgian Chapter President 

The Belgium Chapter of the ACFE is proud to host the 2011 ACFE European Fraud Conference, April 17-19, the first one organized on the European continent. We are excited to welcome all anti-fraud professionals. Whether European or not, whether already an ACFE member or not, Brussels is looking forward to your visit.

In a couple of months, we will welcome anti-fraud professionals from all over Europe and the rest of the world to Brussels, Belgium: the city where Northern Europe meets Southern Europe, the capital of the European Union and the European community, and the location of many international and European headquarters. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a regular guest, you will appreciate the great food and ambiance (and some of the best chocolates and beer in the world).

The 2011 ACFE European Fraud Conference will take place in the center of Brussels, where there are many hotels, restaurants and sights, all within walking distance. There are also many convenient places to continue your networking after a day of challenging presentations and to discuss hot fraud topics with experts, including many local European speakers, from all over the world. The ACFE conference is an excellent value for your money. I’m looking forward to a couple of great days packed with a wide variety of topics and the option to choose the sessions that best suit you.

Why not come a couple of days early and spend the Saturday exploring the great city? Or, visit the Atomium and Mini-Europe, where you can see all the major European sites in just a couple of hours. On Sunday, after a morning stroll on the famous flea and antique market of the Marolles, followed by an early lunch in one of the typical brasserie restaurants, you can attend the Pre-Conference workshop to get the latest information regarding the UK Bribery Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the bribery and corruption efforts of the OECD.

Monday and Tuesday are packed with experienced speakers sharing their knowledge and providing you with practical tips that will help you think outside the box to consider new approaches that can make a difference in your fraud practise. Enjoy the excellent food served at lunches whilst continuing to get informed on the latest fraud fighting methods by expert speakers of well-known organizations. I’m especially looking forward to the great mix of speakers from all over the European continent, the UK and the United States. This conference is a great opportunity to meet representatives from Europol, government agencies, private companies, world-renowned journalist and author Jeffrey Robinson, and the ACFE President and CEO James D. Ratley.

See you soon!

To register or for more information, go here.