The Power to Grow: MGI's largest-ever Asia Region Meeting lands in Guangzhou
This August, MGI Asia came together for its biggest regional meeting yet. Held at the Westin Pazhou, Guangzhou from 27–29 August, the 2026 Asia Regional Meeting welcomed a record 57 delegates for two days of ideas, learning and connection, with support from sponsors Ebury and AudTech.
What really stood out at the meeting was the energy in the room – MGI colleagues from across Asia coming together to share, learn and find opportunities with one another.
A theme built for the moment
This year's theme, "The Power to Grow: Stronger Together in Asia", ran throughout the programme. Sessions explored the trends shaping the profession – from AI and the evolving audit landscape to the challenges of applying global standards locally – with a clear focus on how firms can grow by working together.
Thomas Derksen of Asiabits opened the meeting with a keynote exploring why the future is being shaped in Asia, later returning to share how he is already putting AI to work in his own business.
On day two, Guangzhou-based executive coach Will Sung led a "Leadership in the AI Era" workshop, challenging delegates to look beyond leadership frameworks and consider the importance of values and self-awareness at a time when AI is increasingly influencing how we work and make decisions.
Chinese hospitality – and a warm welcome
None of it would have come together without the support and dedication of Regional Director, Audrey Danasamy, IC memberr orAisa, Young Ham, the especially host firm Cathy Accounting Firm. Cathy Zhang, reflecting on hosting the office visit, put it simply: welcoming MGI partners from around the world "felt like receiving family —warm, heartfelt and truly memorable."
Beyond the office tour itself, delegates were treated to a genuine dose of Chinese hospitality that builds bridges connecting China with the rest of the world.
"It has been a true privilege to help deliver MGI's largest‑ever Asia Regional Conference in Guangzhou alongside the global MGI team. This event brought meaningful connections and valuable real‑world‑learning for both our members and our local team."
— Cathy Zhang | Cathy Accounting Firm
"Organising this meeting took a huge amount of work behind the scenes, and none of it would have been possible without Cathy and her team's incredible support on the ground. Seeing it come together as our biggest turnout ever, and hearing the feedback from delegates afterwards, made every bit worth it."
— Audrey Danasamy | Regional Director for MGI Asia
Beyond the Agenda
For member firms, the meeting was as much about the connections around the sessions as the sessions themselves. Kenneth Chau & Co., led by partner Ken Yeung, brought their Hong Kong team. As their team put it afterwards, it was "a great mix of work and connection," with plenty of time to catch up with fellow Asian member firms and the MGI Worldwide Executive Committee.
The Day 1 closed with delegates heading from the hotel to Xinghe for a banquet and dinner performance — a fitting close to two days built as much on relationships as on the agenda.
For Nazorat Audit LLC, MGI Asia’s newest member firm, the experience clearly left a mark. Abdulaziz Nishonov, writing to Audrey after arriving home in Uzbekistan, said it simply:
"The Asia Region Meeting 2026 was organised beautifully from start to finish... The people I met, the days we spent together, and everything I took away from the meeting will stay with me as one of my best memories."
— Abdulaziz Nishonov | Nazorat Audit LLC, Uzbekistan
Closing the loop
Day two wrapped with an MGI Asia management report and a round of thanks, before a final lunch and post-conference tour. For a network of independent firms choosing to work together, a meeting of this size – and the warmth it generated – was itself proof of the theme: the Power to Grow comes from being Stronger Together in Asia.
Thank you
A big thank you to everyone who was involved inmakeing the 2026 MGI Asia Region Meeting such an enormous success! We look forward to seeing everyone in Sri lanka next year!
"Audrey, Young and Cathy really brought the spirit of MGI to life – demonstrating the Power to Grow and what it means to Live the MGI Way."
— Maxine Brock | CEO, MGI Worldwide
Don't miss all the great event pictures in the MGI Flickr album!
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