The Illinois CPA Society will again host its premier annual event for business and financial professionals. The 29th Annual Midwest Accounting & Finance Showcase is being held on Tuesday, August 25 and Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

The Showcase seeks to provide the information and tools needed to face the challenges of today’s fast changing and unpredictable economic environment, and its keynote presentations reflect the big picture issues of the accounting profession and the current business climate. Keynote sessions include: 

 • State of the Profession

-            Ernest A. Almonte, CPA, Chairperson, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Rhode Island Auditor General
-            Lee. A. Gould, CPA/ABV, JD, CFE, CFF, Chairman, Illinois CPA Society Board of Directors and Managing Member, Gould and Pakter Associates LLC
-            Elaine Weiss, JD, President and CEO, Illinois CPA Society

• 16th Annual Tomorrow’s Technologies

-            Dana “Rick” Richardson, CPA.CITP, Technology Futurist & President, Richardson Media and Technologies, LLC

• When Opportunity Trumps Fear: An Economic Outlook

-            Dr. James Glassman, Senior Economist and Managing Director, JP Morgan Chase

 • Chicago Olympics 2016: Global Opportunities for Building Corporate Growth

-            Representative from the Chicago Olympic Committee.

Additionally, the Showcase offers educational sessions covering current developments in the field taught by experts in the profession.. Tracks include: Accounting & Auditing, Practice Management, Tax, Technology, Corporate Finance, Intuit Academy, CCH Educational Center, and Technology Walking Tours led by me -- The Progressive Accountant’s Executive Editor, Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP. This is the seventh consecutive year that I have led these tours and I’m happy to report that they’ve become very popular. If you’re planning to attend please come and join one of the Walking Tours --- I’d love to have you.