MEETING PROGRAM


Tuesday 28 May
Welcome Reception
19:00
Welcome Reception
LEX Law Offices
Wednesday 29 May
Breakfast Roundtable
08:00 - 09:00
WSG Women's Group Breakfast Roundtable
Registration
08:30 – 09:00
Registration
Welcome
09:00 - 09:10
Welcome
Örn Gunnarsson, Managing Partner, LEX Law Offices
Guest Speaker
09:10 – 10:00
Guest Speaker
Iceland’s Financial Crisis & a Look at the Country’s Record-Fast Recovery

Iceland is cool: vast glacial plains & black sand beaches; a creative and music mecca; a stabilized economy bolstered by a bustling tourism industry, further stocking a housing construction market, Iceland has risen from financial crisis to financial boom. This presentation will discuss how Iceland prevented widespread economic crash, shielded the economy from severe depreciation and in turn, fostered healthy growth. Interesting fact: Iceland is the only country to have prosecuted and jailed bank executives in connection with the crisis.

Speaker: Mr. Bjarni Benediktsson, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Icelandic Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs
Panel Discussion
10:00 – 11:00
Panel Discussion
Open Banking: Navigating PSD2 & GDPR Implementation and Consequences
Fintech and its interaction with GDPR - PSD 2 financial regulations.

Moderator/Speaker: Mrs. Erla Árnadóttir, Partner, LEX Law Offices
Panelists:
Jónína Lárusdóttir, Managing Director, Legal Division Arion Banki
Regina Glaser, LL.M., Partner, Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek
Dr. Jur. LL.M. Hans Rudolf Trüeb, Partner, Walder Wyss Ltd.
Coffee Break
11:00 - 11:20
Coffee Break
Guest Speaker Presentation
11:20 – 12:00
Guest Speaker Presentation
Iceland’s Dynamic Football Team, Soft Power and International Leverage
The success story of the Icelandic football and the evolution of sports as a ‘soft power--’ a tool of public diplomacy. It takes, however, more than success on the pitch and money to harness its power. Our speaker discuss the right blend of policies that address both domestic and foreign concerns, an efficient public relations and communications policy, and a measure of transparency and accountability.

Speaker:
Dr. Viðar Halldórsson, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Iceland; Founder, Consultant, Melar Sport
Luncheon
12:00 – 13:45
Luncheon
Speaker Presentation
13:45 – 15:00
Speaker Presentation
Innovation & Disruption: The Big Four’s Expanded Services Rock the Global Legal Landscape & What Can Europe Expect
The Big 4’s existential threat to the legal landscape across Europe and its global implications.

Speaker: James Willer, Senior Analyst, Legal Department, Litigation, ALM Intelligence
Coffee Break
15:00 – 15:15
Coffee Break
Panel Discussion
15:15 – 16:30
Panel Discussion
The Role of Lawyers on PR Crisis Teams & How to Plan Your Crisis Communications Plan
In a world dominated by social media & the 24-hour news cycle, how do firms and clients protect their reputations? What steps can be taken to help mitigate risks? In this session, our panelists explore how to build a comprehensive response plan to breaches and PR crises, as well as what lawyers should-- and shouldn’t-- do in the aftermath of an attack.

Guest Speaker/Moderator: Andrés Jónsson, Principal/Owner, Góð samskipti PR
Panelists:
Elín Smáradóttir, Head of Legal Affairs, Reykjavík Energy
Ásdís Ýr Pétursdóttir, Communications Director, Icelandair
Thorbjorn Thordarson, Broadcast journalist & lawyer, Sýn (Channel 2 News, Visir.is & Bylgjan Radio)
Stefan Erhag, Partner, Delphi
WSG Regional Updates
16:30 – 16:45
WSG Regional Updates
Closing Remarks
16:45
Closing Remarks
Cocktail & Dinner Reception
19:30
Cocktail & Dinner Reception
Björtuloft – Harpa
Thursday 30 May
Icelandic Day Trip
09:30 - 16:00
Icelandic Day Trip
The Gullfoss and Geysir bus tour is a day trip out to the world-famous Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss, the queen of Icelandic waterfalls, as well as, Thingvellir National Park. On the tour, encounter a cross-section of Iceland's natural wonders and geological phenomena at Thingvellir National Park, an area of historical and geological significance. The Geysir geothermal area boasts spouting springs, including Strokkur, the most active geyser in Iceland. Whilst at Gullfoss, stand next to the amazing waterfall, and watch enormous quantities of water tumble violently into a deep, meandering gorge.

Meet in Hilton Nordica hotel lobby at 9:30 to depart on tour at 10:00. Tour includes Lunch

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