On the Road Again – Partner Kyle Freeman Makes IRG and LEA Connections in San Diego and Chicago

Partner at Dezan Shira & Associates and Head of the North American desk, Kyle Freeman, returned to California on June 6, 2023, for IRG’s ‘On the Road’ San Diego Conference and Chicago, Illinois June 13-15 for the Leading Edge Alliance’s (LEA) North American Regional Conference.  

Dezan Shira & Associates has worked closely with both organizations and their member firms for a number of years. They have served as a valuable resource for the firm and our clients. Covid-19 in particular, emphasized the value of the organizations, helping firms connect and better serve clients during a difficult period. 

About the conferences, Kyle said, “Having recently attended conferences for both organizations in Asia and Europe, it was great to reconnect with partners from the US and elsewhere who could not attend those or other conferences in recent years.”  

He also noted that it has been rewarding to see and be a part of the growth and transformation of both during the past few years.

IRG’s On the Road Conference in San Diego  

Kyle’s trip kicked off in sunny San Diego, California. The ‘On the Road’ conference was held over the course of a week and featured a full schedule of networking, social activities, breakout sessions and workshops, and presentations. Over 160 IRG members from across the United States and the world attended to connect with others assisting clients with cross-border needs. 

IR Global has a diverse membership, practicing in law, accounting, and other areas of advisory similar to our offerings at Dezan Shira & Associates. While at the conference, Kyle was afforded the opportunity to discuss a broad range of best practices and how the firm can better serve clients across many different areas. 

LEA’s North American Regional Conference in Chicago 

The week following IRG’s conference, Kyle traveled to Chicago, Illinois, to attend LEA’s North American Regional Conference.  

 

Held annually, the North American Regional Conference brings together accounting, tax, and audit professionals from the network’s member firms across the United States and Canada, in addition to some international member firms. It is an exceptional platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and fostering collaborations in the sector and network. This year’s theme centered on staffing issues, outsourcing, and advisory. 

When asked about the value he gained from attending this year’s conference, Kyle shared, “With LEA focused more on tax and accounting firms specifically, it was great to have a more focused discussion on systems and technologies, as well as advisory services that we can use to better serve our clients.” 

Asia-Interest Among Clients  

Kyle noted that during both conferences, it was encouraging to hear growing interest in investment in Asia, particularly in Southeast Asia and India. Additionally, there was continued interest in China despite recent trade tensions. 

 In response to the increasing demand for information on Southeast Asia, Kyle presented in a seminar on diversifying supply chains into Southeast Asia and India with the International Trade Association of Greater Chicago towards the end of the week on June 16.  

While it may not be as enthusiastically reported, China remains a popular destination to do business for American businesses. Despite clear challenges for companies operating in the China market, its integrated and expansive supply chains and the scope of the domestic market are significant draws for American investment.  

In fact, ‘de-risking’ as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is now calling it, is a trend we see continuing, particularly with increasing US-China bilateral tension. The China Plus One strategy is again gaining traction, with complete relocation elsewhere in Asia as another option for companies looking to de-risk and diversify their supply chains, markets, and operations. 

 

Interested in entering an Asian marketplace or require assistance with your Asian operations? Get in touch with the North American desk via email. 

To stay up-to-date on regulatory changes in Asia, subscribe to our monthly newsletter or browse our Asia Briefing sites. 

 

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