Worldwide ERC Global Workforce Symposium 2012 Special

All eyes are currently on the USA, as we witness the effects of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast, and await the results of the presidential election.

In this special edition, we bring you highlights from the October 2012 Worldwide ERC Global Workforce Symposium in Washington DC, including insights into current global-mobility challenges, links to useful white papers, surveys and reports, and coverage of key sessions on short-term assignment policy and being a strategic global-mobility leader. We also report on the current state of the US economy and housing market, and important changes to immigration regulations.

Don’t miss the Worldwide ERC Global Workforce EMEA Summit  (London, 12 and 13 February 2013), for which Re:locate will again be media partner.

Our USA focus continues via the fast-growing USA section at www.relocatemagazine.com/spotlightusa, with 300% growth in two months! Keep us informed of USA news, trends and comment by emailing editorial@relocatemagazine.com

More coverage in Re:locate’s International quarterly magazine, winter issue out early December. Register for a digital copy here. 

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Challenges for global mobility: insights from Worldwide ERC global thought leaders

Fiona Murchie, managing editor of Re:locate, reports on hot topics in global mobility from the October 2012 Worldwide ERC Symposium in Washington DC.

Over 1,561 delegates from 50 countries met in Washington – the highest number of attendees for seven years.

Peggy Smith, CEO of Worldwide ERC, always manages to prise the burning issues from the panel of global thought leaders and set the agenda for mobility in this growing professional sector.

This year’s session didn’t disappoint, with the panel consisting of Austin T Fragomen, Jr, chairman, executive committee, of immigration firm Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Gail Plummer, chief executive officer of Altair Global Relocation, David Charles Schofield, international consultant and former global-mobility director of PwC, London, Rick Schwartz, president of Brookfield Global Relocation Services, and David Traina, vice president, global market talent acquisition services, Marriott International. 
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Mortgage originations will grow faster than expected in 2013, says MBA

Michael Fratantoni, economist with the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), shared the association’s global perspective with delegates at the Worldwide ERC Symposium in Washington DC on 5 October.

He highlighted continuing concerns over the recovery in Europe, fiscal problems in Southern Europe, the slowdown of growth in China impacting on Asia Pacific, and instability in the Middle East and its effect on oil prices as the key areas of global concern likely to impact the USA.

This was confirmed later in the month by the MBA's official report. Mr Fratantoni's view that the USA housing market had turned, and would continue to improve, was also reflected.  
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How to be a strategic global-mobility leader

Re:locate’s managing editor, Fiona Murchie, reports on an inspiring session at the October 2012 Worldwide ERC Symposium in Washington DC.

Sometimes, some of the best things are saved until last, and Dr Mark Frederick’s session on becoming a strategic global-mobility leader was a jewel that may have been overlooked by Worldwide ERC delegates.

Many were already heading home on the Friday afternoon of the Unleash the Power of Talent Mobility-themed Worldwide ERC Washington DC Symposium by the time he presented the topic, which was moderated by Debbie Convery, global-mobility programme manager of forward-thinking Amazon.com 
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'Obama' and 'Romney' drop in on BridgeStreet

Barack Obama and Mitt Romney appeared to take time out of the US presidential election campaign to visit BridgeStreet's stand at the Worldwide ERC Symposium in Washington.

BridgeStreet pulled off the coup of the conference by inviting lookalikes of the presidential candidates to drop by and have their photos taken with delegates. The Obama lookalike caused great excitement and much hilarity, as surprised exhibition visitors were approached for a photo with the candidates. Worldwide ERC's chief executive joined in the fun.

See if you can spot some of relocation’s international movers and shakers.
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White papers, surveys and reports from the Worldwide ERC Symposium, Washington 2012

Re:locate attended the Worldwide ERC Global Workforce Symposium in Washington DC in October 2012, and has compiled a useful list of white papers, reports, and surveys from the event, with links.

It will be an invaluable resource for those who didn't manage to attend this highlight of the global-mobility calendar, and those who ran out of carrying power at the exhibition! 

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Short-term assignment policy guidance at Worldwide ERC Symposium fits the bill for global mobility

Fiona Murchie, reports on a global audience’s response to short-term assignment policy.

Short-term assignments are high on the agenda for most companies, not just because of cost savings but because of the flexibility they offer in all sorts of situations, from project work to talent development and combating skills shortages.

The imaginative workshop treatment of the topic at October 2012’s Worldwide ERC Symposium in Washington DC, with an assignment letter forming the basis of discussion, brought out some interesting issues. The panel, which consisted of US-based Heather Henry, regional manager of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Elizabeth Schramm, manager, relocation services, at Sony Electronics, and Micheal Westphall, of Abbott Laboratories, highlighted a lot of parity of treatment, but also some surprising differences in approach. 
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Re:locate launches new and improved international suppliers directory

Reach Re:locate’s niche readership of HR, global managers and relocation decision-makers by advertising in our new online Suppliers Directory, with enhanced functionality!

Whether you provide general relocation management or destination services, or specialist ones like serviced accommodation or education, you can’t afford not to be included in Re:locate’s brand-new online, International  Suppliers Directory, featuring organisations from the USA, through Europe and Asia to Australia!

It’s the perfect targeted, cost-effective means of communicating with the people responsible for buying your products and services.

This state-of-the-art resource, with easy navigation, makes it quick and easy for potential customers to find, contact and interact with you, and for you to upload, pay for, and manage your listings.

Top 10 benefits 

November 2012

American private sector creates more jobs than expected

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