Business Bermuda supports Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Caribbean Conference in Bermuda

18 May 2011

Hamilton, Bermuda, 18 May 2011 – Business Bermuda offered a statement of support and welcome to members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) who are attending the STEP Caribbean Conference, which is being held this week from 16 through 18 May 2011 at The Fairmont Southampton Princess in Bermuda.

Randall Krebs, Chairman of STEP Bermuda and Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Meritus, introduced Cheryl Packwood, CEO of Business Bermuda, at the opening day luncheon to the international and local guest: “Ms. Packwood is no stranger to our organization and Business Bermuda is a key organization in promoting Bermuda and our interests around the globe.  We are pleased at the organization’s support and encourage all Bermuda based companies to become members of Business Bermuda.”

In her remarks to the delegates at the luncheon, Ms. Packwood stated: “Business Bermuda was honoured to be asked to be the presenting sponsor of the prestigious STEP Caribbean Conference and we were honoured to accept the invitation.  There was never a question of our participation and support and we are delighted to welcome some of the world’s leading trust and estate professionals to Bermuda. This is an exciting opportunity for Bermuda to showcase its world-class hotel and conference facilities and to demonstrate our own expertise in the development of leading edge trust and estate business practices. Indeed, this is a challenging and important time for international financial centres as they redefine and clarify their role in the global economy.

“At a time when the world is in turmoil, Bermuda stands out a safe jurisdiction.  We are at the forefront of meeting global standards of regulation and transparency. This is an ideal time for our jurisdiction to be the host of this conference.”

The STEP Caribbean Conference brings the latest information in professional development and learning while creating an opportunity for discussion, dialogue, and networking for the trust practitioner. The STEP Caribbean Conference attracts numerous world-class speakers who provide leading edge information and indicators of the latest in industry trends. Delegates have come to Bermuda to attend the conference from the Caribbean as well as Latin America, Asia, Canada, Europe, and the US.  This year the conference focused on International Financial Centres and their role in global economic growth. The conference entitled “IFCs, KEY PARTNERS IN ECONOMIC GROWTH” considered the notion of International Finance Centres as contributors to the global economy. The conference also explored OECD developments, the increasing mobility of the high net worth individual, family office complexities, the increasing trend to regional co-operation, and the region’s close ties to Latin and South America.