IPG Autumn Conference 2026

Day 1
Welcome, Connections & Getting to Know the Network

12:00–14:00
Arrival & informal lunch

• Delegate registration and welcome packs
• Informal buffet lunch
• "Who is in the room?" networking exercise
• Delegates identify their key jurisdictions, practice areas and areas where they are looking for international partners

14:00–14:30

Official Welcome

• Welcome from the host firm/network chair
• Overview of the organisation and its international network
• Introduction to new members and first-time attendees
• Objectives for the three days

14:30–16:00 | International Business Opportunities Forum

Short presentations from 6–8 delegates:

• "What my firm does best"
• Key sectors and industries
• Jurisdictions covered
• Types of international referrals sought
• Recent cross-border matters
• One area where the delegate would like to develop relationships

16:00–16:30 | Coffee & Networking

16:30–17:30 | Cross-Border Case Study Workshop

A practical hypothetical involving, for example:

A UK company is acquiring a business in France, Germany and the UAE, with employment, tax, IP, regulatory and corporate issues in each jurisdiction.

Participants are divided into international teams and asked to identify:

• Which jurisdictions require local advice
• Which professional disciplines are required
• Potential referral opportunities
• How the matter should be coordinated across countries

This reinforces the central value of an IPG-style network: knowing who you can trust when a client needs advice abroad.

18:00–19:00 | Hosted Drinks Reception

Structured introductions rather than simply leaving delegates to mingle.

19:30–22:00 | Welcome Dinner

• Host welcome
• Short introduction from each table
• Informal networking
• Seating arranged to maximise cross-jurisdictional connections

Day 2
Legal Knowledge, Referrals & Business Development

08:00–09:00
Networking Breakfast

Optional "jurisdiction tables":

• UK
• Europe
• Middle East
• Asia-Pacific
• Africa
• Americas

Delegates can join the table most relevant to their business-development interests.

09:00–09:30
Global Legal & Economic Outlook

A keynote presentation covering:

"The International Client in 2027: Where Are the Opportunities?"

Potential topics:

• Cross-border investment
• M&A
• International employment
• Tax developments
• AI and technology
• Data protection
• Supply-chain restructuring
• Investment into emerging markets

09:30–11:00
International Practice Groups

Smaller specialist sessions, for example:

1. Corporate & M&A
2. Dispute Resolution
3. Tax
4. Employment
5. Private Client
6. Real Estate
7. Technology, AI & Data
8. Banking & Finance

Each group discusses:

• Major developments in their jurisdictions
• What clients are currently asking for
• Referral opportunities
• Opportunities for joint publications/webinars
• Potential multi-jurisdictional projects

11:00–11:30
Coffee Break

11:30–12:30
"How to Make the Network Work"

An interactive session focused specifically on referrals.

Discussion points:

• What makes a good international referral?
• How do you assess whether another firm is suitable?
• What information should accompany a referral?
• How should conflicts be handled?
• How do you maintain the client relationship across jurisdictions?
• How can members generate referrals rather than simply receive them?

This is particularly aligned with IPG's emphasis on building trustworthy international relationships before referring clients.

12:30–14:00 | Networking Lunch

"Three introductions" challenge: every delegate should make three meaningful introductions during lunch.

14:00–15:30 | Business Development Masterclass

Topic: "Turning International Relationships into International Business"

Potential content:

• Cross-selling between complementary firms
• Joint pitches
• International tenders
• Developing sector-specific teams
• Using LinkedIn and digital networking
• Joint thought leadership
• International webinars
• Referral tracking

15:30–16:00 | Break

16:00–17:30 | Speed Networking / One-to-One Meetings

A highly structured session.

Each delegate receives 5–6 pre-arranged 15-minute meetings with other members based on:

• Jurisdiction
• Practice area
• Client sector
• Referral potential
• Business-development objectives

This is arguably the most important networking component of the programme.

18:30–19:30 | Cultural Experience

For example:

• Guided city walking tour
• Museum/private gallery visit
• Historic legal or governmental site
• Local food/wine experience
• Boat trip

The aim is social interaction without another formal conference session.

19:30–22:30 | Gala Dinner

Suggested format:

• Welcome reception
• Three-course dinner
• Short awards/recognition segment
• "Member success story" — a 5-minute example of an international referral that developed into successful client work
• Entertainment

Day 3
Collaboration, Future Opportunities & Commitments

08:30–09:30
Breakfast Roundtables

"What do I need from the network?"

Each table discusses:

• One business challenge
• One jurisdiction where assistance is needed
• One service they can offer other members
• One collaboration they would like to develop

09:30–10:45
International Legal Trends

Panel discussion:

"What Will Change the Legal Profession Over the Next Five Years?"

Panel could include:

• Senior lawyer
• Tax adviser
• M&A specialist
• In-house counsel/client
• Technology/AI expert

Topics:

• AI
• Alternative legal services
• Cybersecurity
• International regulation
• ESG
• Cross-border transactions
• Changing client expectations

10:45–11:15
Coffee Break

11:15–12:30
Collaborative Opportunities Workshop

Delegates form working groups to develop concrete initiatives such as:

• International client referral programme
• Cross-border M&A team
• Joint legal guide
• International employment handbook
• Sector-specific webinar series
• Comparative law publication
• Young lawyers' network
• Joint business-development campaign

Each group produces a one-page action plan.

12:30–13:30  
Closing Lunch

13:30–14:30
"Next Steps" Session

Each delegate identifies:

• 3 people they will follow up with
• 1 referral they could potentially make
• 1 collaboration they want to pursue
• 1 event/project they would like to participate in

14:30–15:00
Closing Ceremony

• Summary of the conference
• Announcement of collaborative initiatives
• Recognition of contributors/hosts
• Invitation to the next meeting
• Group photograph

15:00 onwards
Departures / Optional One-to-One Meetings

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