AIM president Ray McCarty addresses attendees at AIM’s annual Tax, Business and Manufacturing Conference in Columbia, October 22, 2015
Nearly 130 business leaders from across the state gathered Wednesday through Friday in Columbia for Associated Industries’ annual Tax, Business and Manufacturing Conference.
The three-day event featured programs for large groups and smaller break-out sessions where topics on current issues were discussed. Held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Columbia, the conference featured a presentation from Director of Revenue Nia Ray, a panel discussion on possible solutions to the transportation funding crisis, a panel of legislators that discussed tax policy, past tax legislation and possible tax legislation of the future, and many other sessions relating to challenges facing Missouri businesses.
Presenters representing some of Missouri’s top law and accounting firms hosted seminars on diverse topics ranging from recent developments in the distinction between “independent contractors” and “employees” and new overtime rules to recent developments in Missouri tax laws, regulations and interpretations.
Thursday’s lunch featured an address from AIM Board chairman Ray Wagner of Enterprise Holdings, Inc. Wagner spoke about Missouri’s overall business climate, the history of Enterprise, the importance of engaging in politics, and the role Associated Industries of Missouri plays in serving as the “Voice of Missouri Business” in the state capitol.
Friday featured a panel discussion of Missouri property taxes, the annual tax question and answer panel and a presentation from former Missouri Department of Labor Director Jerry Hunter on the dangers of establishing new protected classes of employees and the lawsuits that could follow.
Ray McCarty, president and CEO of Associated Industries opened and closed the conference with a presentation on legislation that was passed in 2015, a look ahead at legislative issues for 2016 and tax issues at the federal level. He and AIM Tax Committee Chair Chriss Cudney moderated several panel discussions and served as host of Thursday night’s reception. AIM Director of Administration and Events Candice Allen and Director of Membership Rachel Groner staffed the conference with professionalism and great attitudes.
Associated Industries would like to thank the following sponsors who made the conference possible:
Platinum Plus Sponsor: BNSF
Platinum Sponsors: Brown Smith Wallace, McGinnis Wood Products, Rubin Brown, and Ryan
Gold Sponsors: BDO USA, The Boeing Company, Bryan Cave LLP, DuCharme McMillen & Associates, Emerson, and McGladrey.