2025 International Group Meeting
Four Seasons, Fort Lauderdale, FL Tuesday, December 2 – Friday, December 5
Tuesday, December 2
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. │ Welcome Reception (Sponsored by McGuire Sponsel)
Join us for a fun evening with hors d’oeuvres and beverages at the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale!
Included in attendee registration; Spouse/Guest Fee: $150
Wednesday, December 3
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. │Breakfast and Registration
9:00 a.m.– 9:20 a.m. │ CPAmerica President Welcome and Opening Remarks
Grace Horvath, President & CEO, CPAmerica, Inc
9:20 a.m.– 9:50 a.m. │Crowe Global Update
Kamel Abouchacra, CEO, Crowe Global
9:50 a.m.– 10:20 a.m. │ Break
10:20 a.m.– 11:40 a.m. │ Attracting and Retaining Talent
In today’s fast-paced business world, corporate culture often prioritizes productivity over people – but what if the key to success lies in embracing the individuality of each person at your firm? With his signature blend of humor, research, and real-world experience, John Garrett challenges traditional notions of professionalism and reveals how organizations can foster deeper connections by encouraging employees to bring their whole selves to work. Through engaging storytelling and sharp insights, John explores how tapping into hidden talents, promoting well-being, and embracing employees’ passions beyond their job titles can transform a workplace culture. Attendees will gain a fresh perspective on leadership, employee engagement, and the power of authenticity in building stronger, more resilient teams. This keynote will inspire leaders to rethink how they define professionalism and create an environment where employees feel valued, connected, and empowered to thrive.
John Garrett, John Garrett, LLC – What’s Your And?
1.6 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
11:40 a.m.– 1:00 p.m. │ Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. │ AI Session with Juan Carlos
Join us for a session where you'll engage with AI subject matter expert, Juan Carlos and discover how AI can revolutionize your practice workflow. Get ready for a transformative journey that will elevate your understanding and provide insight into how to leverage AI to its fullest potential.
Juan Carlos Lara, Regional Executive of the Americas and Chief Digital Officer, Crowe Global
1.4 CPE │ Information Technology │ Basic Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
2:10 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. │ Break
2:40 p.m – 4:10 p.m. │ Round Robin Introductions and Community Service Project
Relationship building is at the heart of the International Group Meeting. One delegate from each attending firm will spend up to two minutes sharing information about their firm and something innovative or of significant impact on the firm that they have accomplished since last year.
Following the Round Robin Introductions, join us for a community service project.
Grace Horvath, President & CEO, CPAmerica, Inc.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. │ Wine Tasting / Networking Mixer Dinner
Included in attendee registration. Spouse/Guest fee: $150
Thursday, December 4
7:30 a.m.– 8:15 a.m. │ Breakfast
8:15 a.m.– 9:05 a.m. │ Correcting Course: A Practical Guide for CPAs Navigating International Tax Missteps
Many CPAs at local or mid-sized firms find themselves facing international tax complexities without having proactively planned for them. Whether it's missed filings like Forms 5471 or 5472, a lack of transfer pricing documentation, or simply not having addressed international compliance with the right advisory mindset, this session will provide practical guidance on how to dynamically course-correct.
Join us for an insightful discussion on:
• How to identify common international tax missteps in your client base
• What steps to take when your client is already out of compliance
• How to handle sensitive client conversations while preserving trust and confidence
• Strategies for planning defensively while laying a foundation for forward-looking international tax strategies
• The role of advisory thinking in moving from reactive to proactive international compliance
Jason Rauhe, Shareholder, McGuire Sponsel’s Global Business Services
1 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview
Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
9:10 a.m.– 10:20 a.m. │Monetary Masala
With the presidential and congressional elections of 2024 in the rearview, our eyes turn to 2025. Has the Federal Reserve engineered a soft landing, or is stagflation on the way? Can America continue to pace the advanced world, or will expanding indebtedness, policy uncertainty, and over-extended asset values prove our collective undoing? This presentation focuses on US and regional economic performance with an eye toward discussing emerging risks to what has thus far been an economy that has surprised to the upside.
Anirban Basu, Sage Policy Group
1.4 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview
Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
10:20 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. │ Break
10:40 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. │ Client Focus: Private Equity Impacts and Considerations
This session will focus on Private Equity and investment capital with a focus on understanding how firms work with private equity clients, including their operations and expectations. Additionally, the panel will cover a variety of topics within the industry, including insights from the US and international perspective
Panel Discussion
1.4 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
11:50 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. │ Lunch
1:00 p.m – 2:10 p.m. │ Transfer Pricing Updates and Considerations
Transfer pricing is an ever-evolving area within international tax with increasing scrutiny and requirements from tax authorities globally. In this session, the most current developments will be covered by multiple experts who will provide a global perspective.
Panelists: Adriana Escobedo Partner – Transfer Pricing, Crowe Mexico, Peter De Heer, Partner, Crowe Peak, and Nick Uren, Senior Manager, International Tax and Transfer Pricing, Aldrich Advisers
1.4 CPE │ Taxes │ Basic Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
2:10 p.m – 2:30 p.m. │ Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. │ Panel: Client Perspective | Managing Shifts in the International Tax Environment – (US and multi-national participants)
Join us for a practical, client-focused panel discussion on navigating today's complex international tax landscape from the trenches. Our panel will explore the day-to-day challenges multinational businesses face, including managing tariff impacts, optimizing transaction flows across jurisdictions, and adapting to shifting legislative landscapes, through the lens of the client. Expect real-world observations on current client pain points, recent project challenges, emerging best practices, and practical strategies for advising clients through uncertain times.
Panelists: Sean King, Align Global Consulting, and Mike Gillis, CEO, DMJPS, PLLC
1.6 CPE │ Taxes │ Basic
Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
3:50 p.m – 6:00 p.m. │ Free Networking Time
6:30 p.m – 9:30 p.m. │ Special Event - Cruise on the Intracoastal Waterway
Join us for an evening of networking and fun while we cruise down Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful Intracoastal Waterway onboard the Sun Dreamer Yacht, Caprice. The Caprice Yacht is one of the finest custom 130 ft. luxury part boats offered by Boat Miami. Dinner and beverages will be provided on board.
Meet in the hotel lobby by 6:10 p.m.
Attire: Casual
Included in attendee registration. Spouse/Guest Fee: $150 Friday, December 5
8:15 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. │ Breakfast
9:35 a.m.– 11:15 a.m. │ International Tax Update
International taxation remains in a state of flux and 2026 will be no different. As we move toward the New Year, the fluid nature of global international taxation initiatives continues. This session will explore the current state of international taxation, global proposals for international tax reform, and various planning opportunities to ensure that clients are well-positioned to embrace continuing change
Sean King, Align Global Consulting 2 CPE │ Taxes │ Basic Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
11:15 a.m. │ Meeting Adjourn