IGAL AGM – ISTANBUL 2025: A MEMORABLE JOURNEY OF FRIENDSHIP AND DISCOVERY by Alexandre KOERFER (France)

Swissôtel The Bosphorus, 29 October – 2 November 2025

The 2025 IGAL Annual General Meeting was held in the enchanting city of Istanbul, a place where continents meet, cultures intertwine, and history breathes through every stone. Hosted at the elegant Swissôtel The Bosphorus, the conference brought together members from all over the world for four days filled with connection, learning, and celebration.

From the very first evening, the tone was set: friendship, warmth, and the shared joy of being part of such a vibrant international community.

Wednesday, October 29^th – Arrival & Welcome Dinner

As delegates arrived throughout the day, the lobby of the Swissôtel quickly filled with familiar smiles and new introductions. After the last great IGAL Midterm (Edinburg) , it was finally time to reunite and to welcome new members into the IGAL family.

The event began with a welcome cocktail followed by a dinner at the hotel’s panoramic restaurant, offering breathtaking views over the Bosphorus. Turkish and international flavours blended perfectly as members shared stories, laughter, and plans for the days ahead. The evening had the warm, joyful atmosphere that defines IGAL: professional friendship at its finest.

Thursday, October 30^th – Business Day

The following morning, the Business Day opened with welcoming remarks from President Pim Nuiten and Yusuf Barış Bilsel, setting a professional yet dynamic tone for the day.

The programme was rich in insights, addressing key economic, legal, and sustainability issues that affect both accountants and lawyers worldwide:

Independent Audit and Inflation Accounting — Yusuf Barış Bilsel opened the discussions with an in-depth look at Turkey’s audit challenges and inflationary context.
Legal Regulations on Personal Data Protection — Nafiye Keskin offered a precise overview of data privacy legislation, highlighting the growing importance of compliance across jurisdictions.
Commercial Break (Morning Session) — Members took the stage to present their firms, share their referral successes, and reinforce collaboration across borders.
Sustainability & Impact Accounting — İlker Mühürdar delivered a passionate talk on how sustainability is transforming accounting and reporting standards.
Coffee Break — An opportunity for lively exchanges and informal networking.
Legal Regulations on Personal Data Protection (Panel 2) — Bora Yazıcıoğlu deepened the debate with a comparative perspective on European and Turkish frameworks.
Sustainable Investment Potentials — Ufuk Bilsel, Ph.D., closed the morning with an inspiring analysis of sustainable finance and ethical investment trends.
Commercial Break (Afternoon Session) — Members once again took the floor to highlight their expertise and success stories, demonstrating the vitality of the IGAL network.

After lunch, the afternoon focused on the interactive workshop

“Growing together: How can we make IGAL more attractive to new member firms?”

Led by the Communications and Marketing group, the session invited everyone to share ideas on how to enhance IGAL’s visibility, engagement, and added value for both current and prospective members. The discussions were constructive and forward-looking, a collective effort to shape IGAL’s future identity.

The day concluded with a summary and closing session, followed by casual drinks and conversations overlooking the Bosphorus, the perfect wrap-up to an inspiring and productive Business Day.

Friday, October 31 – Social Day: Flavours, Heritage & Sunset Magic

The Social Day offered an unforgettable journey through Istanbul’s cultural and culinary treasures. The morning began with a fascinating visit to an ancient underground cistern dating back to the Ottoman Empire, where an immersive light installation brought centuries of history to life.

From there, participants joined a local cooking class led by a Michelin-starred chef, an exceptional experience that blended teamwork, laughter, and authentic Turkish gastronomy. After preparing traditional dishes together, members enjoyed a convivial lunch at the restaurant, savouring the fruits of their culinary efforts.

In the afternoon, the group explored the old city, wandering through the Gülhane Gardens (the Gardens of Topkapi Palace) before visiting the majestic Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. The day ended in breathtaking fashion with a private Bosphorus sunset cruise, the golden light reflecting on the water, laughter on deck, and glasses raised to friendship and shared memories.

It was a day of wonder, flavour, and connection, a perfect reflection of IGAL’s spirit beyond the business sessions.

Saturday, November 1^st – AGM & Gala Night

Saturday morning was dedicated to the Annual General Meeting, led by President Pim Nuiten. Members reviewed the network’s achievements, discussed strategic priorities, and welcomed new members and board representatives.

A heartfelt moment came with the acknowledgment of Frank Klaus, who completed six dedicated years as Treasurer, earning the warm applause and gratitude of all. The newly elected board, now including Henrike Lobger and Jens Kunkel, was officially introduced and congratulated.

That evening, the conference concluded with the highly anticipated Gala Night held at the legendary Çırağan Palace Kempinski.

The evening began with an elegant cocktail reception in the hotel’s grand salons, followed by a festive dinner where two extraordinary singers and four talented dancers turned the night into a spectacular celebration. Their energy and artistry created an unforgettable atmosphere, a true blend of elegance and joy that had everyone on their feet until midnight.

Many participants then continued the celebration on the rooftop terrace, where the night ended in style, with champagne glasses clinking under the stars to the rhythm of electro and Afro-house beats.

It was the perfect finale to a truly memorable AGM, a moment of pure joy, connection, and friendship.

Sunday, November 2 – Farewell & Departure

On the final morning, members gathered one last time over breakfast, exchanging warm goodbyes and promises to meet again soon. The view of the Bosphorus under the rising sun served as the perfect backdrop to close this extraordinary chapter.

Acknowledgments

This exceptional AGM would not have been possible without the dedication and generosity of many.

A heartfelt thank you to Yusuf for his outstanding organisation of the entire event and his warm hospitality.

Bravo to Sarah, IGAL’s administrator, whose tireless commitment and attention to every detail made this meeting such a success.

Our gratitude also goes to all the speakers for their engaging and insightful presentations, and to every member who actively contributed to the workshop discussions, making them so enriching and constructive.

This AGM in Istanbul will remain one of the most memorable editions of recent years — a true celebration of what IGAL stands for: trust, collaboration, and lasting friendship across borders.

Until next time… see you all at the next IGAL Conference!

Alexandre KOERFER