18th World Taxpayers Conference May 23&24, 2023
The 18th World Taxpayers Conference (WTC) and World Taxpayers Associations General Meeting took place on May 23-24, 2023, in Prague, Czech Republic.
The Conference and General Meeting took place in conjunction with the European Liberty Forum (May 25th and 26th) sponsored by the Atlas Network and a Coalition Leaders Forum (May 24th) sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform.
Agenda
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Venue: Grandium Hotel Prague
| 5:00 PM | Registration Open |
| Location: Ingarden Restaurant | |
| 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Reception |
| Location: Ingarden Restaurant
Welcome: Troy Lanigan, Past Chair of World Taxpayers Associations Sponsored by Tholos Foundation |
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Venue: Grandium Hotel Prague
| 8:00 AM | Registration Open |
| Location: Venus I – III | |
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Breakfast |
| Location: Venus I-III | |
| 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | World Taxpayers Associations General Meeting |
| Location: Venus I-IIIWelcome and call to order: Troy Lanigan, Past Chair of World Taxpayers Associations. Recording secretary assigned. | |
| Review of member association statutes with right to vote (including proxies), and observer status without vote. See WTA Statutes, paragraphs 4 and 5: Melanie Harvie. Review and approval of General Meeting Minutes from May 23, 2019, in Sydney Australia.
Report of activities since May 2019 from WTA President: John O’Connell (via video). Report from Secretary General: Cristina Enache Auditors’ report, including financial statements: Melanie Harvie and Alfred Gerauer. Election of the Board of Directors for a term ending when the next General Meeting of the World Taxpayers Associations is convened. See WTA Statutes, paragraph 8. Chair: René Nour El Din, Director Bavarian Taxpayers Association. |
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| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Introduction of new members and member reports |
| Sweden, Germany, Finland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, USA (ATR), USA (TPA), Canada, Argentina, and UK (TPA) | |
| 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM | Break |
| 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM | Introduction of new members and member reports (con’t) |
| 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Keynote Speakers |
| Location: Venus I – III
What Comes Next from Brussels? Michael Jaeger, Secretary General. Taxpayers Association of Europe Maryan Zablotsky, Member of Parliament Ukraine Introduction: Chris Butler. Executive Director, Americans for Tax Reform |
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| 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch |
| Location: Ingarden Restaurant | |
| 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Coalition Leaders Forum Sponsored by Tholos Foundation |
| Location: Jupiter and MarsChair: Chris Butler. Executive Director, Americans for Tax Reform/Tholos Foundation Co-chair: Lorenzo Montanari. VP of International Affairs, Americans for Tax Reform | |
| 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Introduction of new members and member reports (con’t) |
| Location: Venus I-III
Presentation from Ukraine, WTA founder Bjorn Tarras Wahlberg, China, Georgia, Japan, Nepal, Taiwan, USA (NTU), USA (TF) Other Business Motion to Adjourn General Meeting |
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| 3:30 PM – 3:45 PM | Break |
| 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM | World Taxpayers Associations Board of Directors Meeting |
| Location: Jupiter and MarsChair: New WTA Chair | |
| 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Break |
| 6:00 PM | World Taxpayers Associations Reception |
| Location: Venus I – III | |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner |
| Location: Venus I-III
Master of Ceremonies: Pete Sepp. President, National Taxpayers Union Words from incoming WTA President Dinner Speaker: Hon. Giulio Centemero. Head of Lega Delegation at the Finance Committee – Italian Chamber of Deputies and Co-Chair, Economic Panel – Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean Introduction: Lorenzo Montanari. VP of International Affairs, Americans for Tax Reform |
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| 9:00 PM | Close |
Taxpayers Regional Forum Manila, Philippines, September 28, 2022
The first WTA-sponsored Virtual Taxpayers Regional Forum of 2022 took place via Zoom on September 28th at 9 AM PST ( September 27th at 9 PM EDT).
Agenda
Tuesday, May 23rd
| 9:00 AM | – | 9:05 AM | Opening Remarks |
| John O’Connell, Chair and President, World Taxpayers Associations | |||
| 9:05 AM | – | 9:25 AM | Tools for Tax Reforms |
| Daniel Bunn. Executive Vice President, Tax Foundation | |||
| 9:25 AM | – | 10:25 AM | Updates from WTA Members |
| Chair: Cristina Berechet. Secretary General, World Taxpayers Associations.
This session provides taxpayer leaders the opportunity to make presentations on their current activities or taxpayer-related developments in their respective countries that would be of interest to the group. Also, taxpayer leaders are encouraged to present new ideas, with an emphasis on collaboration, that have the potential to advance taxpayer advocacy. Jordan Williams. Executive Director, New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union Liu Fengjiang. Executive President, Chinese Taxpayers Association Alliance Nonoy Oplas. President, Minimal Government Thinkers (Philippines) Sumith Jayawickrama Executive Committee Member. Sri Lanka Taxpayers’ Association Shantha Kumar. President, India Taxpayers Atif Shehzad. Board Member, Alternate Solutions Institute (Pakistan) Raymond Ho. President, Hong Kong Momentum 107 Sanghvi Surendra A Shah. President, All India Tax Payers Association TBC. Gobinda Sharma. Chairman, Nepal Taxpayers Welfare Society (NTWS) |
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| 10:25 PM | – | 10:30 PM | Closing remarks |
| John O’Connell, Chair and President, World Taxpayers Associations |
Taxpayers Regional Forum for North and South America on July 9th, 2021
The third Virtual Taxpayers Regional Forum took place via Zoom on July 9th at 10 AM EDT (Washington DC time).
15 delegates from 8 countries joined the third Regional Taxpayers Forum of 2021. Attendees shared ideas on tax and policy reform, with a special focus on the OECD’s global tax plans.
Agenda
| 10:00 AM | – | 10:05 AM | John O’Connell. Chairman and President, |
| World Taxpayers Associations
Welcome and Introduction to Advocacy |
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| 10:05 AM | – | 10:40 AM | Participant Updates |
| Chair: Cristina Berechet. Secretary General, WTA. | |||
| Pablo Dono. Legal Director, Argentine Taxpayers Association
José Ignacio Beteta. President, Taxpayers Association of Peru Lorenzo Montanari. VP of International Affairs, Americans for Tax Reform Andrés Barrientos. Cofounder, Ciudadano Austral, Chile David Williams. President, Taxpayers Protection Alliance |
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| 10:40 AM | – | 11:00 AM | The implications of the OECD’s global tax reform |
| Chair: John O’Connell. Chairman and President, WTA | |||
| Pete Sepp. President, National Taxpayers Union
Christopher Butler. Executive Director, Americans for Tax Reform |
Taxpayers Regional Forum for Asia and Australasia on February 23rd, 2021
The second WTA-sponsored Virtual Taxpayers Regional Forum of 2021 took place via Zoom on February 23rd at 8 AM CST ( February 22nd at 7 PM EST).
Agenda
| 8:00 AM | – | 8:10 AM | John O’Connell. Chairman and President, |
| World Taxpayers Associations
Welcome and Introduction to Advocacy |
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| 8:10 AM | – | 9:00 AM | Activity and Blue Sky Session |
| Chair: Cristina Berechet. Secretary General, WTA. | |||
| This session provides taxpayer/ invited think tanks’ leaders the opportunity to introduce themselves. Also, leaders are encouraged to present new ideas, with an emphasis on collaboration, that have the potential to advance taxpayer advocacy.
Liu Fengjiang. Executive President, Chinese Taxpayers Association Alliance Shantha Kumar. President, India Taxpayers Raymond Ho. President, Hong Kong Momentum 107 Nonoy Oplas. President, Minimal Government Thinkers (Philippines) Gobinda Sharma. Chairman, Nepal Taxpayers Welfare Society (NTWS) Sun Taek Kim. President, Korea Taxpayers Association |
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| 9:00 AM | – | 9:30 AM | Fundraising |
| Chair: John O’Connell. Chairman and President, WTA
Troy Lanigan. President, Canada Strong and Free Network; Past Chair, WTA Jordan Williams. Executive Director, New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union |
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| 9:30 AM | – | 9:50 AM | Communication in Changing Times |
| Chair: John O’Connell. Chairman and President, World Taxpayers Associations
Pete Sepp. President, National Taxpayers Union (NTU) Scott Hennig. President & CEO, Canadian Taxpayers Federation |
Taxpayers Regional Forum for Europe and Africa on January 12th, 2021
The first WTA-sponsored Virtual Taxpayers Regional Forum of 2021 took place via Zoom on January 12th at 4 PM CET (10 AM EST).
Agenda
| 4:00 PM | – | 4:10 PM | John O’Connell. Chairman and President, |
| World Taxpayers Associations
Welcome and Introduction to Advocacy |
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| 4:10 PM | – | 4:40 PM | Fundraising and Communication in changing times |
| Chair: John O’Connell. Chairman and President, World Taxpayers Associations
Pete Sepp. President, National Taxpayers Union (NTU): New Strategies for Defending Taxpayers’ Rights Scott Hennig. President & CEO, Canadian Taxpayers Federation |
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| 4:40 PM | – | 5:30 PM | Activity and Blue Sky Session |
| Chair: Cristina Berechet. Secretary General, WTA. | |||
| This session provides taxpayer/ invited think tanks’ leaders the opportunity to introduce themselves. Also, leaders are encouraged to present new ideas, with an emphasis on collaboration, that have the potential to advance taxpayer advocacy.
Daniel Bunn. Vice President of Global Projects, Tax Foundation (United States) Christian Ekström. CEO, Swedish Taxpayers Association Irene Otieno. National Coordinator, National Taxpayers Association (Kenya) Martin Gundinger. Senior Fellow, Austrian Economics Center Mykhailo Lavrovskyi. CEO, UEFF (Ukraine) |
Taxpayers Regional Forum for North and South America on December 4th, 2020
The first WTA-sponsored Virtual Taxpayers Regional Forum of 2020 took place via Zoom on December 4th at 10 AM EST.
Delegates from 9 countries joined the first Regional Taxpayers Forum of 2020. Attendees shared ideas on fundraising, social media, and tax and policy reform.
Agenda
| 10:00 AM | – | 10:10 AM | John O’Connell. Chairman and President, World Taxpayers Associations |
| Welcome and Introduction to Advocacy | |||
| 10:10 AM | – | 11:00 AM | Activity and Blue Sky Session |
| Chair: Cristina Berechet. Secretary General, WTA. | |||
| This session provides taxpayer/ invited think tanks’ leaders the opportunity to introduce themselves. Also, leaders are encouraged to present new ideas, with an emphasis on collaboration, that have the potential to advance taxpayer advocacy.
Pablo Dono. Legal Director, Argentine Taxpayers Association Daniel Bunn. Vice President of Global Projects, Tax Foundation: 2020 International Tax Competitiveness Index José Ignacio Beteta. President, Taxpayers Association of Peru Jon Coupal. President at Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Philip Thompson. Policy Analyst, Property Rights Alliance: Trade Barrier Index Andreas Hellmann. International Advocacy Manager, Americans for Tax Reform |
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| 11:00 AM | – | 11:30 AM | Fundraising and Communication in changing times |
| Chair: Troy Lanigan. President, Canada Strong and Free Network; Past Chair, WTA
Pete Sepp. President, National Taxpayers Union (NTU): New Strategies for Defending Taxpayers’ Rights Scott Hennig. President & CEO, Canadian Taxpayers Federation |
Taxpayers Regional Forum in Accra Ghana August 22, 2020
Due to COVID-19 pandemic the WTA Taxpayers Regional Forum in Accra, Ghana, has been postponed. The Forum will be rescheduled. No date has been set.
The second WTA-sponsored Regional Taxpayers Forum of 2020 will take place in Accra, Ghana, August 22nd.
In August 2020 World Taxpayers Associations, along with the Atlas Network and IMANI Center for Policy and Education, is delighted to host its first event on the African continent.
The WTA Regional Taxpayers Forum will take place immediately after the Atlas Network’s 2020 Africa Liberty Forum in Accra on August 20-21.
Taxpayers Regional Forum in Kyiv Ukraine May 16, 2020
Due to COVID-19 pandemic the WTA Taxpayers Regional Forum in Kyiv, Ukraine, has been postponed. The Forum will be rescheduled. No date has been set.
The first WTA-sponsored Taxpayers Regional Forum of 2020 will take place in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 16th.
In May 2020 World Taxpayers Associations along with the Atlas Network and the Ukrainian Economic Freedoms Foundation is pleased to invite delegates to join us in an exchange of ideas and best practices to advance taxpayer advocacy in Europe.
The WTA Taxpayers Regional Forum will take place immediately after the Atlas Network’s 2020 Europe Liberty Forum in Kyiv on May 14-15.
Registration and fees:
Conference fees include conference materials, coffee breaks and lunch and dinner on Saturday.
If you have paid your 2020 Membership Fee to the WTA, you are entitled to free access to this event. Please e-mail Melanie Harvie at melanie.harvie@worldtaxpayers.org for your discount code. The code is valid for two registrants within your organization until April 25th, 2020. After that, a fee of 50 USD per person will be charged.
For other groups, the conference has a cost of 110 USD per person.
Please act soon, space is limited! You can register here.
Hotel Reservations:
Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv
1 Naberezhno Khreshchatytska Str.
Kyiv, Ukraine, 04070
Learn more about the hotel here.
The discounted rate at the Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv is €150 (single room), €170 (double room), €300 (one-bedroom suite). This rate is inclusive of a 20% VAT, complimentary Wi-Fi, access to fitness area and swimming pool, and full buffet breakfast. City tax is not included into the room rate. City Tax for non-residents is equivalent to €1.7
To make your room reservations please email the following information to Sherry.Romello@AtlasNetwork.org.
First Name:
Last Name:
Organization:
Company:
Country of Residence:
Check-in Date & Time:
Check out Date & Time:
Room Type: Single or Double (If requesting Double, please provide # of guests and whether you will need one bed or two in the room.)
Agenda:
May 16th
8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Taxpayers Regional Forum
17th World Taxpayers Conference in Sydney, Australia May 23-27, 2019
In May 2019 World Taxpayers Associations along with the Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance and Tax and Super Australia is pleased to invite delegates from across the world to join us in Sydney for four days exchanging ideas and best practices to advance the cause of limited and accountable government. This gathering will also hold the General Meeting and board elections for WTA.
Join over 500 taxpayer activists and freedom fighters in Sydney for what will be the biggest and best pro-liberty event of 2019 – the 17th World Taxpayers’ Conference combined with the 7th Annual Friedman Conference!
All the details regarding the venue, agenda, accommodation and visas are available here.
Registration is open. Until February 28th 2019 we are offering an Early Bird Special! After this date, the regular price will apply. REGISTER TODAY!
We recommend you arrive no later than Wednesday, May 22nd as the General Meeting for World Taxpayers Associations will take place on Thursday, May 23rd. Also, there is an optional Wine Tour to the Hunter Valley taking place after the conference on Monday, May 27th. Please keep these events in mind when booking your flight.
Agenda
2019 World Taxpayers’ Conference
Venue: Aerial UTS Function Centre
Building 10, Level 7 / 235 Jones Street, Sydney NSW 2007
Conference rooms: Harris & Jones
Thursday 23rd May
| 9:30 AM | – | 11:00 AM | WTA Board of Directors Meeting | |
| Conference room: Harris | ||||
| Chair: Troy Lanigan, Chair of World Taxpayers Associations | ||||
| 11:00 AM | – | 11:30 AM | Break | |
| 11:30 AM | – | 1:30 PM | World Taxpayers Associations’ General Meeting and Election of | |
| Board Officers
Conference room: Jones |
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| Chair: Peter Phelps | ||||
| 1:30 PM | – | 2:30 PM | Lunch break | |
| 2:30 PM | – | 3:30 PM | Asia Pacific Taxpayers | Taxpayers Association of |
| Association’s Meeting
Conference room: Harris |
Europe’ s Meeting
Conference room: Jones |
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| 3:30 PM | – | 4:30 PM | Coalition Leaders Forum (by invitation only) sponsored by | |
| Americans for Tax Reform
Conference room: Harris/Jones |
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| 4:30 PM | – | 4:45 PM | Break | |
| 4:45 PM | – | 5:45 PM | Intellectual Property Rights Discussion | |
| (by invitation only) sponsored by Property Rights Alliance | ||||
| 7:00 PM | – | 8:00 PM | Opening Cocktail Reception for International Delegates & VIPs | |
| sponsored by Taxpayers Protection Alliance | ||||
The updated agenda for the following days can be accessed here.
Taxpayers Regional Forum in Chisinau, Moldova, March 28&29 2019
The first WTA-sponsored Regional Taxpayers Forum of 2019 took place in Chisinau, Moldavia, March 28-29th 2019. The World Taxpayers Associations along with Americans for Tax Reform and the European Resource Bank Meeting are pleased to invite delegates to join us in an exchange of ideas and best practices to advance taxpayer advocacy in Europe.
Registration and fees:
Conference fees include conference materials, coffee breaks and lunch and dinner on Thursday.
If you have paid your 2019 Membership Fee to the WTA, you are entitled to free access to this event. Please e-mail Melanie Harvie at melanie.harvie@worldtaxpayers.org for your discount code. The code is valid for two registrants within your organization until February 15th, 2019. After that, a fee of 50 USD per person will be charged.
For other groups, the conference has a cost of 75 USD per person.
Please act soon, space is limited! You can register here.
We highly recommend you to attend the European Resource Bank meeting. If you plan to attend both events (Taxpayers Regional Forum and ERB meeting) please register here. The early bird registration fee is 240 EUR (includes ATR, WTA and ERB meetings), and it’s applicable until January 31st.
Dragons’ Den Competition:
The European Resource Bank will also host the “Think Tank Dragons’ Den” competition. If you wish to compete, please send an email to office@austriancenter.com (subject: Dragons’ Den – NAME OF YOUR INSTITUTION). Apply with a description of your organization (max. one page long) and a description of your project (one page).
There are three prizes: the first prize of 5,000 USD, a second of 3,000USD, and a third of 2,000 USD. Deadline for reception is February 11th 2019. Those who are selected to compete will be announced by latest March 1st 2019. For more information regarding Dragon’s Den Competition, click here.
Location:
Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova
Banulescu-Bodoni 61,
MD-2005, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Accommodation:
Several hotels with discounted rates from 55 to 115 EUR per night are available. To book your accommodation at the discounted rates visit: https://europeanresourcebank.org/#accommodation
Agenda:
| Thursday, March 28th | |||
| Taxpayers Regional Forum | |||
| Venue: Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova
Building F, room 103 |
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| 12:30 PM | – | 1:00 PM | Registration |
| 1:00 PM | – | 2:00 PM | Lunch. Keynote Speaker: Daniel Mitchell |
| 2:00 PM | – | 2:15 PM | John O’Connell. Chief Executive, TaxPayers’ Alliance |
| Welcome and Introduction to Advocacy | |||
| 2:15 PM | – | 3:30 PM | Activity and Blue Sky Session |
| Chair: Cristina Berechet. Secretary General, WTA.
This session provides taxpayer leaders the opportunity to introduce themselves. Also, leaders are encouraged to present new ideas, with an emphasis on collaboration, that have the potential to advance taxpayer advocacy. David Williams: IGO Watch |
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| 3:30 PM | – | 3:45 PM | Group Photo and Coffee Break |
| 3:45 PM | – | 5:00 PM | Fundraising. Personal solicitation fundraising and donor relations |
| Chair: Staffan Wennberg. Former President, World Taxpayers Associations
Ron Nehring. Director of International Programs, Leadership Institute Q&As |
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| 5:00 PM | – | 6:00 PM | Break |
| 6:00 PM | – | 7:30 PM | Coalition Leaders Forum Reception Location: TBD |
| 7:30 PM | – | 9:30 PM | Dinner at Beraria Chisinau |
| Friday, March 29th | |||
| Taxpayers Regional Forum | |||
| Venue: Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova
Building F, room 103 |
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| 9:00 AM | – | 9:15 AM | Welcome to 2019 World Taxpayers Conference Australia |
| John O’Connell. Chief Executive, TaxPayers’ Alliance | |||
| 9:15 AM | – | 10:00 AM | Daniel Bunn, Director of Global Projects. Tax Foundation: |
| Tools for Tax Reform | |||
| 10:00 AM | – | 11:15 AM | European Elections an Opportunity for Tax Reform |
| Chair: Christopher Lingle. Professor of Economics, University Francisco Marroquin
Michael Jäger. Vice-President, German Taxpayers Association & Secretary General, Taxpayers Association of Europe Daniel Mitchell. Founder, Center for Freedom and Prosperity Anders Ydstedt. Advisor, Scantech Strategy Advisors Christopher Butler. Executive Director, Americans for Tax Reform (TBC) |
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| 11:15 AM | – | 11:30 AM | Coffee Break |
| 11:30 AM | – | 1:00 PM | Communications Strategies |
| Chair: John O’Connell. Chief Executive, TaxPayers’ Alliance
Brent Lowder. Leadership Institute Scott Hodge. President, Tax Foundation |
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| 1:00 PM | – | 9:30 PM | European Resource Bank Meeting |
| Saturday, March 30th | |||
| 9:00 AM | – | 9:30 PM | European Resource Bank Meeting |
| Sunday, March 31st | |||
| 9:00 AM | – | 1:00 PM | European Resource Bank Meeting |
Speakers
Regional Taxpayers Forum in Lima, Peru, October 12-14th 2018
The second WTA-sponsored Regional Taxpayers Forum of 2018 will take place in Lima, Peru, October 12-14th 2018. The World Taxpayers Associations along with Americans for Tax Reform and Peruvian Taxpayers Association (Asociación de Contribuyentes del Perú) are pleased to invite delegates to join us in an exchange of ideas and best practices to advance taxpayer advocacy in Latin America.
Registration and fees:
Conference fees include conference materials, coffee breaks and lunches.
If you have paid your 2018 Membership Fee to the WTA, you are entitled to free access to this event. Please e-mail Melanie Harvie at melanie.harvie@worldtaxpayers.org for your discount code. The code is valid for two registrants within your organization until September 12, 2018. After that, a fee of 50 USD per person will be charged.
For other groups, the conference has a cost of 120 USD per person.
Please act soon, space is limited! You can register here.
Location:
Hotel Dazzler Lima
Av. José Pardo 879, Miraflores, Lima, Peru
www.dazzlerlima.com
+(511) 634 4000
To book your room fill out this form and e-mail it to Sandra Pinglo Carlin at spinglo@dazzlerlima.com
Agenda:
Friday, October 12th
Peruvian Taxpayers Association’s Conference
Venue: Dazzler Lima
Conference room: Buenos Aires and Montevideo
| 8:30AM | Registration | ||
| 9:00AM | – | 9:10AM | José Beteta. President, Peruvian Taxpayers Association |
| Welcome to the First Taxpayer’s Forum in Peru | |||
| 9:10AM | – | 10:20AM | The Challenge of Innovation, Property Rights for Prosperity |
| Lorenzo Montanari. Executive Director, Property Rights Alliance: “Where Peru stands in the International Property Rights Index”.
Javier Coronado. General Manager, INDECOPI: “The Importance of Intellectual Property Rights for the Peruvian Economic Growth”. Manuel Mayorga. Executive Director, ILD: “Property Rights and Blockchain”. |
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| 10:30AM | – | 11:45AM | Tax Reforms for the Citizens |
| Keynote: Christopher Butler, Executive Director, Americans for Tax Reform: “The US Tax Reform and its Impact in the US and Worldwide”.
Ana Requena. Superintendent Deputy at Internal Taxation: “Pro Business Tax Reforms Promoted by SUNAT”. Ramón Gálvez. Founder, Gálvez, Risso, Zegarra & Asociados, and member of the Fiscal Committee at the Peruvian Entrepreneurs’ Organization: ”The Expectations of the Productive Sector Regarding Fiscal Policy”. |
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| 11:45AM | – | 12:00PM | 2018 Taxpayer’s Award |
| 12:00PM | – | 12:20PM | Final Remarks and Coffee Break |
Saturday, October 13th
Taxpayers Regional Forum
Venue: Dazzler Lima
Conference room: Buenos Aires and Montevideo
| 8:30AM | – | 9:00AM | Registration |
| 9:00AM | – | 9:15AM | Troy Lanigan, Chair of World Taxpayers Associations : |
| Welcome and Introduction to Advocacy via Skype | |||
| 9:15AM | – | 10:45AM | Activity and Blue Sky Session |
| Chair: Cristina Berechet. Secretary General, WTA.
This session provides taxpayer / invited think tanks leaders the opportunity to introduce themselves. Also, leaders are encouraged to present new ideas, with an emphasis on collaboration, that have the potential to advance taxpayer advocacy. Special Presentation about IGOWatch.org by David Williams. President, Taxpayers Protection Alliance (USA) |
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| 10:45AM | – | 11:15AM | Group Photo and Coffee Break |
| 11:15AM | – | 12:30PM | Organizing a Taxpayer Movement in Latin America |
| Chair: José Beteta. President, Peruvian Taxpayers Association
Christopher Butler, Executive Director, Americans for Tax Reform Diego Macera. General Manager, Peruvian Institute of Economics Jonas Torrico. Director of Institucional Relations, Nosotros los Contribuyentes (Argentina) Andrés Barrientos. Executive Director, Ciudadano Austral (Chile) |
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| 12:30PM | – | 1:00PM | How to Build a Coalition Meeting in Latin America. |
| Introduction by Lorenzo Montanari. Director of the International Advocacy & Affairs, Americans for Tax Reform.
Coalition Meetings from Latin America: Coalition Meeting in Caracas by Andres Guevara, Senior Fellow, CEDICE Coalition Meeting in Rosario by Franco Martín López, Director of Research, Fundación Bases |
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| 1:00PM | – | 1:45PM | Lunch Break |
| 1:45PM | – | 2:00 PM | Short Break |
| 2:00PM | – | 3:30PM | Fundraising |
| Chair: Christopher Lingle. Professor of Economics, University Francisco Marroquin
Chris Godbey. Senior Grassroots Coordinator, Leadership Institute John O’Connell. Chief Executive, TaxPayers’ Alliance José Beteta. President, Peruvian Taxpayers Association |
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| 3:30PM | – | 3:50PM | Coffee Break |
| 3:50PM | – | 5:00PM | Social Media: gaining supporters for your campaigns |
| How to use them to grow your organization and build public awareness.
Chair: John O’Connell. Chief Executive, TaxPayers’ Alliance Scott Hennig. Vice President, Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Via Skype Chris Godbey. Senior Grassroots Coordinator, Leadership Institute Franco Martín López. Research Director at the Urban Observatory, Bases International Foundation |
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| 7:00 PM | Meet in Lobby to depart for dinner | ||
| 7:30PM | Off-Site Dinner. No Host. Cala Restaurant, Circuito de Playas, Barranco, Lima. Visit http://www.calarestaurante.com/english/menu.html for menu (around 30-35 USD for main course, one drink and dessert). |
Sunday, October 14th
Taxpayers Regional Forum
Venue: Dazzler Lima
Conference room: Buenos Aires and Montevideo
| 10:00AM | – | 10:10AM | Opening remarks. Wrap up of Saturday. José Beteta, Peruvian |
| Taxpayers Association and Cristina Berechet, WTA | |||
| 10:10AM | – | 11:20AM | Tax Reforms |
| Chair: Cristina Berechet. Secretary General, WTA
Scott Hodge. President, Tax Foundation: Tax Competition for Growth. Via Skype Gonzalo Schwarz. President, Archbridge Institute (USA): Taxes and Social Mobility: Facts and Tradeoffs Juan José Garcia. Head of Research, Peruvian Taxpayers Association |
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| 11:20AM | – | 11:40AM | Coffee break |
| 11:40AM | – | 12:50PM | How to Implement Free-Market Public Policies in Latin America |
| Chair: Lorenzo Montanari, Director of the International Advocacy & Affairs, ATR
Javier Albán. Executive Director, CpR (Peru) Andres Guevara. Senior Fellow, CEDICE (Venezuela) Christopher Lingle. Professor of Economics, University Francisco Marroquin Pablo Viana. President, Institute of Civic Studies (Uruguay) |
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| 12:50PM | – | 1:00PM | Closing remarks. Cristina Berechet and José Beteta. |
| 1:00PM | – | 2:30PM | Final Lunch |
Regional Taxpayers Forum in Copenhagen Denmark May 28, 2018
The first WTA-sponsored Regional Taxpayers Forum of 2018 will take place in Copenhagen Denmark, May 28. The World Taxpayers Associations along with The Tax Foundation and Americans for Tax Reform are pleased to invite European and international delegates to join us for a discussion on tax policy.
Registration and fees:
If you have paid your 2018 Membership Fee to the WTA, there is no cost for you to attend this event. Please e-mail Melanie Harvie at melanie.harvie@worldtaxpayers.org for your discount code. The code is valid for two registrants within your organization up to April 30. After that, an administration fee of 50 USD per person will be charged.
For other individuals, the conference has a fee of 50 USD per person and it includes conference materials, coffee breaks, lunch and evening reception.
Please act soon, space is limited! You can register here.
Location:
Comwell Conference Center
Center Boulevard 5
DK 2300 Copenhagen S
Web: https://www.comwellconferencecopenhagen.dk/
Hotel reservations:
AC Hotel Bella Sky Copenhagen
Center Boulevard 5
2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
Tel.: +45 32 47 30 00
Room rates at the AC Hotel Bella Sky are 1,450 DKK (about USD$245) for a single room and 1,650 DKK (about USD$280) for a double room. Room rates include breakfast.
Reservations must be provided to the hotel by Atlas Network. To make your room reservations, please email the following information to sherry.romello@atlasnetwork.org:
First Name:
Last Name:
Organization:
Company:
Check-in Date & Time:
Check out Date & Time:
Room Type: Single or Double (If requesting Double, please provide # of guests and whether you will one bed or two in the room.)
Agenda:
| 9:30 AM | – | 10:00 AM | Registration |
| 10:00 AM | – | 10:10 AM | Welcome from Troy Lanigan. Chair, World Taxpayers Associations |
| 10:10 AM | – | 10:30 AM | Launching a Global Tax Reform Movement in a World of Chaos |
| Scott Hodge. President, Tax Foundation | |||
| 10:30 AM | – | 11:15 AM | Panel Discussion: How Oxfam and Tax Justice Network Help Fuel |
| the Tax Agendas of the OECD, EU, UN
Chair: Christopher Lingle. Professor of Economics, University Francisco Marroquin |
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| Anders Ydstedt, Advisor at Scantech Strategy Advisors to major Swedish industry and business organizations
Martin Ågerup. President, CEPOS |
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| 11:15 AM | – | 12:00 PM | Governments’ Tax Attack on our Soda and Snacks |
| Troy Lanigan. Chair, WTA and President, Canadian Taxpayer Federation
Mikael Bonde-Nielsen. Director of Economic Affairs, Coca-Cola, Copenhagen Harry Fone. Grassroots Campaign Manager, The TaxPayers’ Alliance UK |
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| 12:00 PM | – | 1:15 PM | Lunch break |
| The Impact of US Tax Reform, Christopher Butler. Executive Director, Americans for Tax Reform | |||
| 1:15 PM | – | 2:00 PM | Governments’ War on Digital Commerce |
| Chair: Christopher Lingle. Professor of Economics, University Francisco Marroquin | |||
| Catherine Schultz. Vice President for Tax Policy, National Foreign Trade Council, U.S.
Matthias Bauer, European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE) |
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| 2:00 PM | – | 2:30 PM | Tools to Sell Pro-Growth Tax Policy. Kyle Pomerleau. Director of |
| The Center for Quantitative Analysis, Tax Foundation | |||
| 2:30 PM | – | 2:45 PM | Coffee break |
| 2:45 PM | – | 4:00 PM | Strategy Session on Advancing Global Tax Reform |
| Chair: Cristina Berechet. Secretary General, World Taxpayers Associations.
What can groups like the Tax Foundation, ATR, Atlas, WTA do to advance tax reform? How can we take the debate away from groups like Oxfam, and make the tax debate about pro-growth policies and raising living standards? How can we develop a distribution system for getting rapid response material and research to the free-market groups across Europe and elsewhere, and how can we develop an “early alert system” to notify the network when threatening issues emerge from international organizations. Christiana Stewart-Lockhart. Chief Executive, EPICENTER Michael Jäger. Secretary General, Taxpayers Association of Europe Christopher Butler. Executive Director, Americans for Tax Reform Christian Ekström. CEO, Skattebetalarna |
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| 4:00 PM | – | 6:00 PM | Break |
| 6:00 PM | – | 7:30 PM | Welcome reception for WTA/Atlas Network Groups sponsored by |
| the Tax Foundation and Americans for Tax Reform.
Only pre-registered attendees. |
Regional Taxpayers Forum Bangkok, Thailand, December 8-19, 2017
The World Taxpayers Associations along with Asia-Pacific Taxpayers Union and Atlas Network are pleased to invite Asian and international delegates to join us in an exchange of ideas and best practices to advance the cause of limited and accountable government.
The regional conference will be held December 9&10 in Bangkok Thailand where you will enjoy a host of dynamic speakers and networking opportunities. Delegates from United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Sweeden, Australia, Korea, Hong Kong, China, and India have already registered.
Registration and fees:
If you have paid your 2017 Membership Fee to the WTA, you are entitled to free access to this event. Please email Melanie Harvie at melanie.harvie@worldtaxpayers.org for your discount code. The code is valid for two registrants within your organization up to September 30. After that, an administration fee of 50 USD per person will be charged.
For other groups, the conference has a cost 120 USD per person and it includes conference materials, coffee breaks, and lunches.
Delegates from Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Korea, China, Hong Kong and India have already registered. If you haven’t registered yet you can still do so here. Please act soon, as of this date we have nine spaces remaining.
Location & Hotel reservation:
Hotel Rembrandt
19 Sukhumvit Soi 18, Sukhumvit Road, Klong-Toei,
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Web: http://www.rembrandtbkk.com/rooms/
Promotional code: WTAATLAS
Agenda:
Regional Taxpayers Forum December 8-10
Friday, December 8
| 5:00PM | – | 6:00PM | Welcome Reception Hallway on the second floor |
Saturday, December 9
Venue: Hotel Rembrandt
Conference room: Rembrandt II
| 8:30AM | – | 9:00AM | Registration |
| 9:00AM | – | 9:15AM | Welcome from Troy Lanigan and Björn Tarras-Wahlberg |
| 9:15AM | – | 9:45AM | Keynote: |
| The present political situation in the Land of Smile, Colin Hastings. Former UK- reporter in Sunday Times, publisher of Big Chilli. | |||
| 9:45AM | – | 10:30AM | Activity and Blue Sky Session |
| Chair: Cristina Berechet
This session provides taxpayer leaders the opportunity to make short presentations on their current activities or taxpayer-related developments in their respective countries that would be of interest to the group. Also, taxpayer leaders are encouraged to present new ideas, with an emphasis on collaboration, that have the potential to advance taxpayer advocacy. Groups to speak already include: China, Hong Kong, Korea, India, Philippines, United States, United Kingdom and Australia. |
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| 10:30AM | – | 10:45AM | Coffee break |
| 10:45AM | – | 12:15PM | Activity and Blue Sky Session Con’t |
| 12:30PM | – | 1.30PM | Lunch break: Mexican Restaurant |
| Coalition Building, Lorenzo Montanari. Director of the international advocacy & affairs, Americans for Tax Reform | |||
| 1:30PM | – | 2:15PM | Strategic planning |
| Chair: Christopher Butler. Executive Director, Americans for Tax Reform.
Panelists: Troy Lanigan. President, Canadian Taxpayers Federation |
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| 2:15PM | – | 3:30PM | Fundraising |
| Chair: Troy Lanigan | |||
| Panelists:
Kim SunTaek. President, Korea Taxpayers Association Samta Arora. Associate Director, Centre for Civil Society (India) John O’Connell. Chief Executive, TaxPayers’ Alliance(UK) |
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| 3:30PM | – | 3:50PM | Coffee break |
| 3:50PM | – | 5:10PM | Social Media: gaining supporters for your campaigns |
| How to use them to grow your organization and build public awareness. | |||
| Chair: Cristina Berechet | |||
| Panelists:
Scott Hennig. Vice President, Canadian Taxpayers Federation via Skype Georgia Scott. International Communications Manager, Korea Taxpayers Association Raymond Ho. Founder of Hong Kong Momentum 107 |
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| 5:40PM | Meet in Lobby of Rembrandt to transport to dinner. | ||
| 6:40PM | – | 10PM | Anantara Riverside Bangkok: buffet dinner and stage entertainment |
| 10PM | Taxi or Sky Train back to the hotel |
Sunday, December 10
Venue: Hotel Rembrandt
Conference room: Rembrandt II
| 9:00AM | – | 9:15AM | Welcome to 2019 World Taxpayers Conference Australia |
| Tim Andrews, Executive Director. Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance
Moti Kshirsagar, CEO. Tax & Super Australia |
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| 9:15AM | – | 10:00AM | Reformulating the debate on Tax Competition, Scott Hodge. |
| President, Tax Foundation via Skype | |||
| 10:00AM | – | 10:15AM | Coffee break |
| 10:15AM | – | 11:45AM | Tax Reforms |
| Chair: Bjorn Tarras-Wahlberg. Founder and Chairman of Asia-Pacific Taxpayers Union |
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| Panelists:
Nonoy Oplas, Philippines Minimal Government Thinkers. Tax reforms in the Philippines and Asian countries Christopher Butler, ATR. US tax reform Christopher Lingle, University Francisco Marroquin. Insights from Knut Wicksell to guide tax policy Yuya Watase, Pacific Alliance Institute. Taxation in Japan |
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| 12:00PM | – | 1:30PM | Lunch break |
| 1:30PM | Closing Comments | ||
| 2:00PM | – | 3:00PM | APTU members meeting |
| 4:00 PM |
Meet in Lobby of Rembrandt to take Sky Train to the State Tower Building for drinks at the spectacular Sirocco Sky Bar. No bermudas or opens shoes. Casual elegant dress required. |
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| This is an optional event for those staying in Bangkok entirely at own expense. |
Asia Think Thank Essentials Workshop December 11 – 13
The Atlas Network is proud to work with over 33 free-market think tanks throughout Asia. The Think Tank Essentials training course will share best practices from across the continent and the globe.
Applications for Asia Think Thank Essentials Workshop are now closed.
Regional Taxpayers Forum Zagreb Croatia April 24-25, 2017
The World Taxpayers Associations along with Lipa and the Free Market Road Show are pleased to invite European and international delegates to join us in an exchange of ideas and best practices to advance the cause of limited and accountable government.
The regional conference will be held April 24 & 25 in Zagreb Croatia where you will enjoy a host of dynamic speakers and networking opportunities.
Agenda:
Monday, April 24th
Taxpayers Regional Forum
Venue: Hotel Dubrovnik
Conference room: Ban Frankopan
| 8:15 | – | 9:15 | Registration |
| 9:15 | – | 9:30 | Welcome from Troy Lanigan and Zoran Low |
| 9:30 | – | 10:00 | Keynote: Tax Competition, Scott Hodge. President, Tax Foundation |
| 10:00 | – | 11:00 | Strategic Planning (for campaigns, for fundraising and for your organization) |
| Chair: John O’Connell. Chief Executive, TaxPayers’ Alliance | |||
| Panelists: | |||
| Troy Lanigan. President, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Aneta Vaine. Director of Development and Programs, Lithuanian Free Market Institute |
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| 11:00 | – | 11:15 | Coffee break |
| 11:15 | – | 12:45 | Fundraising |
| Chair: Staffan Wennberg. Former President, World Taxpayers Associations | |||
| Panelists: | |||
| Michael Jäger. Secretary General, Taxpayers Association of Europe and Vice President, Bavarian Taxpayers Association
Tanja Porčnik. President, Visio Institute Aneta Vaine. Director of Development and Programs, Lithuanian Free Market Institute |
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| 12:45 | – | 14:15 | Lunch break |
| Chair: Cristina Berechet. Secretary General, WTA and General Manager, Spanish Taxpayers Union
The Human Freedom Index: A Tool for Policymakers and Statesmen, Tanja Porčnik. President, Visio Institute |
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| 14:15 | – | 15:45 | Social Media and List Building |
| Chair: TBA | |||
| Panelists: | |||
| Scott Hennig. Vice President, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
David Williams. President, Taxpayers Protection Alliance Adam Radman. Grassroots Campaign Manager, Americans for Tax Reform |
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| 15:45 | – | 16:00 | Coffee break |
| 16:00 | – | 17:30 |
Taxpayer Campaigns to Join or Replicate. How to use them to grow your organization and build public awareness. |
| Chair: Troy Lanigan. President, Canadian Taxpayers Federation | |||
| Panelists: | |||
| Debt Clock, Zoran Low. Executive Manager, Croatian Taxpayers Association
Tax Freedom Day, Scott Hodge. President, Tax Foundation World Intellectual Property Day, Lorenzo Montanari. Executive Director, Property Rights Alliance Open the Books. Every Dime. Online. In Real Time. Matthew Tyrmand. Deputy Director, Open the Books. Debt Campaign, Michael Jäger. Secretary General, Taxpayers Association of Europe and Vice President, Bavarian Taxpayers Association |
| 20:00 | – | 22:00 | Dinner at Bistro Fotic |
| Gajeva 25, 10000 Zagreb
No Host. Visit www.bistrofotic.com for menu and pricing. |
Tuesday, April 25th
Taxpayers Regional Forum
Venue: Hotel Dubrovnik
Conference room: Ban Frankopan
| 9:15 | – | 9:45 |
Taxpayers Associations and the Government: lessons learned, Davor Huić. Founder and Board Member, Croatian Taxpayers Association |
| 10:00 | – | 11:30 | Activity and Blue Sky Session. |
| This session provides taxpayer leaders the opportunity to present short (10 minute) presentations on their current activities or taxpayer-related developments in their respective countries that would be of interest to the group. Also, taxpayer leaders are encouraged to present new ideas, with an emphasis on collaboration, that have the potential to advance taxpayer advocacy. Several groups have already asked to speak and we encourage others to do the same in what will be a free flowing discussion amongst participants. | |||
|
Moderator: Cristina Berechet. Secretary General, WTA and General Manager, Spanish Taxpayers Union |
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| 11:45 | – | 13:00 | Lunch break |
13:10 Transport from the hotel to the University
Free Market Road Show
Venue: Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb
For more information: http://freemarket-rs.com/event/fmrs-zagreb/
| 13:30 | – | 14:30 | A Major Economic Reconfiguration: The End of the Free Trade Era? |
| Moderator: Cristina Berechet. Secretary General, WTA
Scott A. Hodge, President, Tax Foundation, Washington DC Dr. Robin Harris, Historian Velimir Šonje, Arhivanalitika Michael Jaeger, European Taxpayers Association, Munich |
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| 14:30 | – | 15:30 | Troubled Times in a Divided World |
| Moderator – Daniel Kaddik, Friedrich Naumann Stiftung
Karl-Peter Schwarz, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Lorenzo Montanari, Americans for Tax Reform, Washington DC Prof. dr. Robert Murphy, Texas Tech University |
15:45 Transport from the University to the hotel
2016 WTA Conference in Berlin, Germany
16th Biennial World Conference in Berlin, 17th-19th March 2016
Conference theme:
Good Governance and Low Taxes – Necessities in an Uncertain World?!
The World Taxpayers Associations cordially invites its members to its biennial worldwide conference in 2016, from the 17th – 19th March at the Mercure Hotel in Berlin.
Key stakeholders and globally acclaimed experts will discuss a wide range of important aspects of economic growth and growth of freedom and democracy. You will have a unique chance to meet with like-minded persons from all parts of the world (200-250), to learn and be inspired and build relations of future importance for your organization!
We hope you can attend!
Location:
Mercure Hotel Berlin Tempelhof
Hermannstrasse 214-216, D-12049 Berlin, Germany
Keynote Speakers
http://www.taxpayers.events/keynote-speakers/
Conference Agenda
http://www.taxpayers.events/
Hotel
Book your Hotel at a Discount – Extended deadline to 15th January 2016!
Use code WoConf for your discount
E-mail: h1894-re@accor.com
Registration
Until the 15th January 2016 we are offering an Early Bird Special!
After 15th January 2016 the regular price will apply. REGISTER TODAY!
€395 – Early Bird, €495 – Regular, €250 – Partner ticket (social events only)
Visa Information
http://www.taxpayers.events/
If You Need Visa Support from Conference Organizers – please email Daniel Junker, d.junker@steuerzahler.de and cc Michael Jaeger, michael.jaeger@steuerzahler-
WTA Conference Scholarships
Please contact Sarah Elliott, sarah.elliott@worldtaxpayers.
For more information: 2016 WTA Conference
