• The qualitative disclosure requirements of FAS 161 - why entities enter into derivative agreements or instruments, how such instruments modify the entity's risk profile and where in the financial statements the effects of these particular risk management efforts are reflected
• The effect of the decision not to give prescriptive presentation guidance to issuers; and predictions as to the effect of not including as a FAS 161 objective that the disclosure relating to derivative instruments and hedged items help a user of the financial statement understand an entity's overall risk exposure and risk-management strategy
• The interplay between the more limited FAS 161-mandated risk discussion and management's broader MD&A obligations in SEC filings regarding risks and risk-management strategies in general
• Whether and to what extent the FAS 161 position and performance-related tables ameliorate FAS 133 presentation concerns
• Whether and why it matters that FAS 161 returns to the pre-FAS 133 position regarding disclosure of notional exposures; and a discussion of the "contingent features" guidance

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When looking at these developments from a privacy angle, best practices require that the company conducts a Privacy Impact Assessment or PIA to ensure that the contemplated use of the new technology or new marketing method will not violate privacy laws or corporate privacy policies or otherwise be subject to public criticism on privacy grounds.

Whether in the context of a PIA or otherwise as part of the process of developing new uses of personal information, companies can benefit from interaction with privacy advocates.  Often seen as adversaries, some privacy advocates are open to consultation with companies, and some leading companies already take advantage of this opportunity to head off privacy problems before they arise. Leading privacy advocates will:

• Provide insight into how they view privacy
• Describe how they, as consumer protection organizations, can assist companies in understanding what impact business decisions may have on privacy

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Please plan to join a noted plaintiff's attorney with substantial experience prosecuting SOX whistleblower claims, and the author of the book Corporate Whistleblowing in the Sarbanes-Oxley Era, as they discuss the most significant recent developments on issues such as:

• What constitutes protected activity and what employees are covered by the statute
• Identification of the trends that have emerged in this important area of the law

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• The existing EU Emissions Trading Scheme ("EU ETS") that implemented the Kyoto Treaty
• 2008 changes proposed by the European Commission
• What U.S. companies need to know about compliance with EU ETS regulations

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Different countries present different types and levels of compliance challenges. Please plan to join expert faculty for a wide-ranging discussion on some of the challenges organizations face when doing business in South America, a high risk area for multinationals that calls for unique attention and consideration.

Discussion topics will include:

• Practical strategies for mitigating international FCPA risks
• In-house counsel perspectives and practical considerations for U.S. and U.S.-controlled businesses
• Recent merger and acquisition developments and what those developments portend for the future
• Status of international cooperation and enforcement of anti-corruption laws

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Mark your calendars and join noted corporate governance experts as they discuss these issues and the following additional topics:

• Results of say-on-pay proposals in the 2008 proxy season
• Institutional shareholder positions on say-on-pay
• Whether legislative action will — and should — be taken in this arena

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Please plan to join distinguished faculty as they address the following topics:

• Recent SEC rule proposal to permit certain ETFs to operate without the need for an SEC exemptive order
• Actively managed ETFs, disclosure issues, operational issues and the ability of the marketplace to maintain an efficient arbitrage mechanism
• The ability of mutual funds and closed-end funds to invest in ETF shares

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