We are excited to announce that the 2026 Annual MGI North America Conference will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, at Caesars New Orleans.
Join us for an unforgettable experience in the heart of one of the country’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities. From Wednesday, May 13 to Friday, May 15, 2026, Caesars New Orleans will serve as the backdrop for an exceptional conference experience, offering modern accommodations, dynamic meeting space, and easy access to the best of the city.
Located steps from the historic French Quarter, Bourbon Street, the Mississippi River, and world-class dining, music, and entertainment, Caesars New Orleans places you at the center of everything that makes New Orleans unique. Connect with fellow members and industry leaders while enjoying the city’s renowned cuisine, iconic jazz scene, and unmistakable Southern charm.
MGI North America will be joined in New Orleans by members of MGI Worldwide’s International Committee representing the eight regions of MGI around the world. Maxine Brock, CEO, and other members of the Executive team will also attend.
Additional details regarding the conference agenda, registration, and hotel information will be shared soon. In the meantime, please save the date—we look forward to welcoming you to New Orleans.
Contact Joe Tarasco if you have any questions or would like more information.
Member: $1,850.00 – Attend the conference on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Additional Members: $1,250.00 – Purchase two Member tickets at regular price and then additional Members are a discounted rate.
Accompanying Guest: $600.00 – Bring a spouse or friend. They can attend evening events on Wednesday and Thursday. And breakfast on Thursday and Friday.
AGENDA
Updated April 20, 2026
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
Welcome reception for all members, guests, and sponsors at Caesars with views of the Mississippi River and the City, with New Orleans-style food and beverages.
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Welcome Reception at Manning’s Sports Bar & Grill, across the street from Caesars.
THURSDAY, MAY 14
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Breakfast, networking with members and sponsors.
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM: Welcome to Conference and Introductions – Joe Tarasco, Regional Director, MGI North America
8:15 AM – 8:35 AM: Welcome to New Orleans – Historian and NOLA Welcome Group
8:35 – 9:00 AM: Conference agenda review, MGI NA strategy, and year in review – Joe Tarasco, Regional Director, MGI North America and Jeff Vroman
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM: MGI North America New Member Presentations:
GEMRT CPAs and Advisors (Miami area), Roy Garcia, Co-Managing Partner
iVENTURE Accounting Group (Maryland & Virginia, D.C. area), Boris Foxman, CEO
9:20 AM – 9:50 AM: MGI Strategy: Adapting and Evolving for the Future – Maxine Brock, MGI Worldwide CEO
9:50 AM – 10:05 AM: Break
10:05 AM – 11:00 AM: State of Public Accounting: Trends and predictions, followed by roundtable Discussions on the independent firm of the future. – Joe Tarasco, Regional Director, MGI North America
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: BlueJ – Part 1: How We Got Here: Future of Tax Research with AI: Key Considerations and Long-Term Outlook
11:30 AM – 11:55 AM: GDLSK
11:55 AM – 12: 30 PM: A&A Committee: Update and Roundtable Discussions – Laurie Gatten, Director Assurance Services, Barnes Wendling
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM: Lunch
1:15 PM – 1:45: BGM – Why Wealth Management Belongs Inside the Modern Accounting Firm – Jon Meyer, Principal, President, Wealth Management, BGM
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM: Group Photo
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Tax Season in Review: Barnes Wendling on a Year with Accordance – Mike Godwin, Head of Marketing, Accordance
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Protecting Your Firm from Liability – John Raspante, SVP Director of Risk Management, McGowanPro
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: AI in Accounting: From Compliance Checkbox to Competitive Advantage – Rohan Singhai, Chief Growth Officer, Miles Masterclass
3:30 PM – 3: 50 PM: AI Is Expanding R&D Tax Credit Opportunities. Are Your Clients Missing Them? – Jacob Wood, Capstan
3:50 PM – 4:00 PM: Day 1 Overview and Briefing on Evening Events – Joe Tarasco, Regional Director, MGI North America
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM: Sound Bath Experience, located in the Fulton Rooms located on the second floor of the Harrah’s Hotel Tower, 228 Poydras Street.
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM: Cocktail Reception at the Sazerac House, which offers an unforgettable glimpse into the history and culture of New Orleans. The Sazerac House is located on the edge of the historic French Quarter at 101 Magazine St. New Orleans, LA, on the corner of Canal and Magazine.
FRIDAY, MAY 15
7:00 AM – 8: 00 AM: Breakfast, networking with members and sponsors.
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM: Welcome and Review Agenda – Joe Tarasco, Regional Director, MGI North America
8:15 AM – 9:15 AM: The Cognitive Shift: How AI Deployments Change You And Your Business – Woody Taylor
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM: Capacity Is the New Currency: Building Strategic Partnerships to Scale Accounting Firms Sustainably – Charles McKissick, Executive Vice President Strategy and Advisory, Unison Globus
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Expanding the CPA Advisory Model: Integrating Trust Planning for Better Client Outcomes – Chad Halbur, President, BGM/Cornerstone Private Asset Trust Company, LLC
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM: KBKG
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM: Break
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Tax Committee: Roundtable Discussions on tax season review and the latest updates. – Mark Vroman, Principal, BGM
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: International Perspectives: Insights and What’s Working in Tech and Talent – Maxine Brock, CEO, MGI Worldwide
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Part 2: Where We’re Going: Future of Tax Research with AI: Key Considerations and Long-Term Outlook – BlueJ
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM: Lunch
1:15 PM – 1:45 PM: Delivering Value in an M&A Process – Blake Johnson, President, BGM/SealedBid Marketing
1:45 PM – 2:15 PM: MGI NA Leadership Program – Erin Daiber, CEO, Well Balanced Accounting
2:15 PM – 2:25 PM: Government Contracting – Boris Foxman, CEO/Founder, iVenture Accounting Group
2:25 PM – 2:30 PM: AGM in Auckland, New Zealand – October 2026 – Maxine Brock, CEO, MGI Worldwide
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM: Day 2 Conference Overview and Briefing – Joe Tarasco, Regional Director, MGI North America
2:45 PM: Conference Ends
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Cocktail Team Building Event at the NOLA Culinary Center: We will be hosting an interactive mixology and team building event at the New Orleans School of Cooking on Friday, May 15, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. This private session will provide attendees with an opportunity to enjoy a hands on activity, learn about classic local cocktails, and connect with fellow participants in a relaxed and historically rich setting. New Orleans School of Cooking is located at 524 St. Louis Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, which is about a 10 minute walk from Ceasars.
4:00 PM: Closing remarks to end conference – Joe Tarasco
FAQS
Who can I contact about the conference? Joe Tarasco, MGI North America, joe.tarasco@mgiworld.com
Who can I contact about hotel rooms or special requests? Amber Hutchinson, Multi-Outlet Manager, Caesars, New Orleans. AHutchinson1@Caesars.com (504) 593-8012
2026 Annual MGI North America Conference
When
Date: Wednesday, May 13 to Friday, May 15, 2026
Where
Sponsored by
