The 2025 Summer Meeting was held at Le Centre Sheraton in downtown Montreal, QC, Canada. View highlights of the programs and networking events below.
Professional Program
Stand-Alone Programs
Session 1: Avoiding the Collapse of Gift Plans and Steering Clear of Estate Inclusion
Fellows Steven J. Schindler, Lauren Y. Detzel, and Elizabeth A. Bawden kicked the Stand-Alone CLE Program off with a presentation on gift planning and estate inclusion, reviewing reciprocal trust and step-transaction doctrines, impermissible direct and indirect retained control of gifts, transfers for less than full consideration, and unsatisfied IOUs.
Summer Seminars
Seminar 1: A Deep Dive into the GST Abyss
The Summer Seminars began with a discussion on Generation-Skipping Transfer tax presented by Fellows Carol A. Harrington and R. Eric Viehman, who addressed planning priorities for 2025 ahead of the potential sunset of current laws, final regulations on extensions of time to make GST tax elections and allocations of exemption, the GST tax consequences of decanting and trust modifications, as well as other issues and common pitfalls lurking in the GST depths.
The College thanks the members of the Program Committee and Chair Stephanie Loomis-Price for their dedication in planning the Professional Program!
Networking Events and Tours
President’s Welcome Reception
Pictured (L-R) Past President Susan D. Snyder (2024–2025) and Past President Mary F. Radford (2011–2012), joined current President Peter S. Gordon (2025–2026) for the President’s Welcome Reception on Friday, June 20.
New Fellows, International Fellows & First Time Attendees
New Fellows, International Fellows, and First Time Attendees took advantage of opportunities to network in Montreal.
Jet Boating Tour
On Friday, June 20, adventurous New Fellows, International Fellows, First Time Attendees, and their guests braved the 10-foot waves of the Saint‑Lawrence River aboard the Saute‑Moutons jet boats, taking on the legendary Lachine Rapids during the jet boating tour!
Reception
Pictured (L-R) New Fellows network during their first ACTEC National Meeting at the New Fellows, International Fellows & First Timers Reception on Saturday, June 21: Amy C. O’Hara (New York), International Fellow Rahul V. Sharma (Canada), and Sara A. Nicholson (Michigan).
Three Pines Discovery Tour: The Village Behind the Best-Selling Books
ACTEC Fellows and guests immersed themselves in the literary world of Louise Penny on Thursday, June 19, during the full-day Three Pines Discovery Tour through Quebec’s Eastern Townships. The journey began in Knowlton, the author’s hometown. As the tour unfolded, guests explored key locations that inspired Penny’s beloved novels, including the serene Saint-Gilbert-entre-les-Loups Monastery, which served as the inspiration for A Beautiful Mystery.
The group enjoyed lunch at the stunning Manoir Hovey, the real-life inspiration for Manoir Bellechasse in The Murder Stone. A historic Relais & Châteaux property, the inn offered lake views and a setting as rich in beauty as the novels themselves. Whether long-time readers or newly introduced fans, attendees left with a deeper appreciation for the world Penny created!
Tour guide Lynda White of Three Pines Tours stands beside the “Fair Day” artwork featured in the 2013 Still Life: A Three Pines Mystery television adaptation.
ACTEC Fellows and guests at the historic Saint-Gilbert-entre-les-Loups Monastery.
Pictured (L-R): Sherrie Hunt, Fellow Barbara A. Sloan, Pamela Greiner, Arlene Levine, Janet Gordon, Laura Barker, Karen Meredith, Fellow Sandra Lynn Perkins, Mark Hart, Fellow Cynthia G. Lamar-Hart, Beth McCrindle, Fellow Jerome (Jerry) L. Levine, Sherry Smith, and Fellow Natalia Murphy.
Fellow Cynthia G. Lamar-Hart and husband Mark Hart, pictured at Manoir Hovey in the room where Louise Penny married Michael Whitehead in 1996, returned to Quebec to celebrate their 32nd wedding anniversary, revisiting the cities where they honeymooned!
Books After Breakfast
Friday morning’s “Books After Breakfast” offered a thoughtful discussion of Still Life, the first novel in Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache series. The conversation highlighted Penny’s vivid settings and layered characters, bringing added depth to the real-world locations experienced on the Three Pines Discovery Tour the day before.
Longtime Books After Breakfast discussion leaders Sherrie Hunt and Janet Gordon introduced the book and got the group discussions going!
Spouse and Guest Program
Saturday morning’s Spouse and Guest Program delivered laughter and insight with comedian Christopher Williams’ dynamic presentation, Differences Between the French and French Canadians. Williams guided the audience through the cultural nuances that distinguish these two groups, from language quirks and expressions to food, music, and daily life. Williams kept the crowd engaged and entertained, turning this lighthearted session into a highlight of the weekend.
Optional Evening Event at Cirque Eloize
Fellows and guests enjoyed an unforgettable evening of dinner and acrobatics at Cirque Eloize, where performances unfolded just steps from the table. Gain a sense of the energy and excitement by watching a snapshot of the evening in the video below.
The College thanks Phillips for sponsoring this memorable evening!
Summer Meeting Sponsors
ACTEC’s Summer Meeting sponsors are dedicated partners, and the College appreciates their support! Fellows are invited to view the sponsor contact list and reach out to any contacts made at the Summer Meeting.
Platinum
Northern Trust (L-R) Fellow Steven M. (Steve) Bonneau with sponsor representatives Sarah Sonday, Keith Barnett, and Keith’s wife Heidi Barnett
Gold
Phillips (L-R) Sponsor representatives Jennifer Jones and Vivian Pfeiffer
Silver
Willamette Management Associates (L-R) Sponsor representatives Justin Nielsen and Ben Duffy
Bronze
Ashar Group (L-R) Sponsor representative Jason Mendelsohn with Fellow Jeffrey (Jeff) R. Loew, sponsor representative Jamie Mendelsohn with Academic Fellow Gerry W. Beyer
FREEMAN’S | HINDMAN (L-R) Sponsor representative Hannah Mitchell with ACTEC Regent James (Jim) D. Lamm
Glenmede (L-R) ACTEC Secretary Margaret E.W. Sager with sponsor representative Jillian Kukucka, Margaret’s husband Timothy (Tim) Sager, and Fellow Steven (Steve) K. Mignogna
National Philanthropic Trust (L-R) Sponsor representatives Matthias Mackay and Ethan Burke
WealthCounsel (L-R) ACTEC Foundation President John T. Rogers, Jr., with sponsor representative Tony Estrella
The College also thanks Bronze sponsors, Brown Brothers Harriman and Cumberland Trust, for their support of the Summer Meeting.
Save the date for the 2025 Fall Meeting in Austin,TX!
October 20-23
Fairmont Austin