The 7th International Conference on Governance Fraud Ethics and Social Responsibility (IConGFESR) will be held at the University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Management August 14 - 16, 2016. The Isenberg School of Management is located at 121 President's Way in Amherst, Massachusetts (USA).

Registration

Click the "Register Now" button above to complete your online registration. Payment is accepted by card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express) or by check.

Full Registration with Lodging - $495.00 USD     
Includes:
    - Registration for the conference
    - Three nights at a UMass North Apartment (check-in: August 14; check-out: August 17) 
    - Meals (three breakfasts, two lunches, and coffee breaks)
    - Closing event dinner on August 16
    - Conference materials
    - Optional: guests may add lodging for the early arrival night of Saturday, August 13, for an additional $55.00 USD and/or lodging for a spouse, partner, or guest
       not attending the conference for $55.00/guest/night  

Full Registration without Lodging - $350.00 USD    
Includes:
    - Registration for the conference
    - Lunch on coffee breaks on August 15 and August 16
    - Closing event dinner on August 16 
    - Conference materials 

One-Day Registration - $195.00 USD     
Includes:
    - Registration for the conference (August 15 or August 16)
    - Lunch and coffee breaks on the day of attendance
    - Conference materials 

Additional Closing Dinner Ticket - $50.00 USD

For special requests or additional details, please contact UMass Registration (413-577-8102, registration@umass.edu) or Graham Gal (gfgal@isenberg.umass.edu).

Call for Papers

The conference organizers invite all academic and business professionals interested in presenting their research and ideas to the conference to submit abstracts. With the growing interest in the level of transparency both for firms and for governments the availability of more data makes audit of all activities a real possibility. We invite papers that explore both the possibility of greater transparency and the implications this will have on the audit. All abstracts will be reviewed for their relevancy for the conference theme and for possible publication. Each abstract will have two peer reviews. At least one author for all accepted papers must attend the conference and be prepared to present and discuss their work. Click here for additional information.

Conference Theme and Topics

The conference theme is "Big Data Analyses, Information Systems in Auditing and Accounting". Possible conference topics include:

Corporate Governance 
* corporate governance reporting * corporate governance in banking sector * corporate governance regulation * accountants' and auditors' responsibilities on corporate governance * corporate governance regulation differences between countries * codes of "best practice" and norms of behavior * changing role of management and corporate governance * internal controls and accountability * risk management * financial market supervision and control * governance and financial market economics * corporate governance and governmental institutions * boards and corporate governance 

Fraud 
* Fraud in sectors (health, tourism, education.....) * Fraud prevention, detection, arrogation, reporting * Fraud in governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, private companies * Occupational matters for Certified Fraud Examiners * Fraud and auditors' responsibility * National and international legislation on fraud * İnternational institutions & applications on fraud * Fraud in banking sector * Fraud in Social Responsibility Projects * Organizational Fraud ETHICS * Ethics in accounting and auditing occupation * Occupational ethics codes * Ethical matters in taxation * Ethics education in accounting, finance and fiscal studies * Case studies in ethical matters * Ethical problems in financial markets 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
* determining CSR strategy and role of accountants * Risk management and CSR * CSR reporting and related costs * auditors' social responsibility * international auditing standards and CSR * social responsibility of accountants * environmental and social accounting & audit * environmental & social reporting * responsible marketing & costing & reporting * taxation policy and problems on CSR * CSR matters & CSR legislations & CSR reporting differences for publicly held companies. * economic crises and CSR * Auditing of irresponsible projects 

Sustainable Development 
* Accounting for Sustainable Development Performance * Sustainability Assessment Models * Carbon issues in sustainability * Sustainable Development in Crises * Sustainable Development in Small and Medium Enterprises * Reporting Sustainable Development * Determining Company's Sustainable Development Strategy * Sustainable Development in NGOs * the importance of women in sustainability 

Corporate Accountability
* Organizational accountability * Collaborative governance * Citizen participation * Accountability in banking sector * NGOs Accountability * Corporations of Departments in Corporate Sustainability * International Regulation on Corporate Sustainability

The conference will be held at the Isenberg School of Management, located at 121 President's Drive on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus. On-site registration times and locations, as well as check-in times for those staying in the North Apartments, will be sent to registered guests by email as the conference approaches. 

Driving to Campus

From the North: From I-91 South, take exit 25 in Deerfield. At the end of the ramp, turn left and follow the road to the intersection. Turn right onto Routes 5 & 10 South. Go 1 mile, then turn left onto Route 116 South. Follow Route 116 South for 8 miles to the UMass exit.

From the East: Take Route 2 West to Exit 16 (Belchertown/Amherst). From Route 2 take Route 202 South for about 15 miles to a blinking yellow light at Amherst Road. You will see signs "to Route 9/Route 116". Turn right and follow Amherst Road (which becomes Pelham Road) for 7 miles to Amherst center. Follow signs to UMass.

From the South: From I-91 North, take Exit 19 in Northampton. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 9. Travel approximately 4.5 miles to Route 116 North. Turn left at the traffic lights to merge onto Route 116 North. Take the UMass exit in 1 mile.

From the West: Take Route 2 East to the Greenfield/I-91 exit. Take I-91 South to Exit 25, Deerfield. At the end of the ramp turn left and follow the road to the intersection. Turn right onto Routes 5 & 10 South. Go 1 mile, then turn left onto Route 116 South. Follow Route 116 South for 8 miles to the UMass exit.

From I-90 (Mass Pike): Take Exit 4 (West Springfield). Follow I-91 North to Exit 19. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 9. Travel approximately 4.5 miles to Route 116 North (turn left at traffic lights). The UMass exit is 1 mile up.

Traveling by Plane

If you are traveling to Amherst by plane, the closest airport is Bradley International Airport, located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut (right outside of Hartford). This airport is approximately 45 miles south of the UMass campus. Many visitors find more flight options into Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts. Logan is approximately 90 miles east of the UMass campus, so if you book a flight to Logan please allow for extra travel time to UMass. Both airports feature car rental agencies and a variety of shuttle services, including Valley Transporter (413-253-1350), Seemo Shuttle (413-586-1120), Exclusive Car Service (877-695-4665), Bluebird Transportation (413-221-4512), and Michael's Limousine & Transportation Service.

Traveling by Bus

The Amherst area is serviced by Greyhound, Peter Pan Bus Lines, Megabus and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA). 

For Greyhound, Peter Pan, and Megabus, we recommend using "Amherst UMass, MA" as your destination instead of "Amherst Center, MA". This stop will bring you right to Haigis Mall, located on the UMass campus just a short walk from the Isenberg School of Management. The Amherst Center stop will drop you off about 1.5 miles from campus so will require some additional planning.

For PVTA buses, we recommend taking a look at the various routes and schedules available on the PVTA website. You may also want to use the PVTA Google Trip Planner, Where's My Bus?, or PVTA Bus Tracker App to help you plan the best route for you.

Please be sure to carefully review bus schedules, bus stop locations, and campus maps prior to your arrival - not only do many bus services run on a reduced schedule in the summer, but both the area and the campus can be confusing to navigate if it is your first time here. If you need any assistance planning your trip, please let us know!

Traveling by Train

Amtrak provides passenger rail service to nearby Northampton, MA, located a 20 minute drive from the UMass campus, and Springfield, MA, located a 30 minute drive from the UMass campus. For schedule information and to purchase tickets, visit Amtrak's website and select "Northampton, MA (NHT)" or "Springfield, MA (SPG)" as your arrival destination. 

If you take a train to Northampton, MA, you will be able to take either a bus or taxi to the UMass campus. Both PVTA and Peter Pan buses service the area, but the bus stops are not located at the train platform and will require about a 7 minute walk. If you prefer, you may use one of the many local taxi services. We encourage you to carefully plan your trip, including bus or taxi services, prior to your arrival: the Northampton train platform is not a train station and phone access, area maps, bus schedules, and bus tickets will not be available once you arrive. If you decide to take a train out of Northampton, remember to purchase your return ticket online prior to arriving at the platform. The train platform is located at 170 Pleasant Street in Northampton, MA. 

If you take a train to Springfield, MA, we recommend booking a shuttle service, such as Valley Transporter, to get you from the Springfield station building to UMass. Bus services, including Peter Pan, are also available, but will require about a 15 minute walk from the train station to the bus stop. The train will arrive at the Springfield station building, located at 66 Lyman Street in Springfield, MA. This station building does have a waiting room, ticket office, quik-trak kiosk, and payphone, but we do still encourage you to plan your trip, including services from the train station to campus, prior to your arrival. 

Parking at UMass

If you opt to stay in a North Apartment, you will receive a complimentary parking permit for a lot adjacent to your residence hall at check-in. If you opt to stay at Hotel UMass, you will be provided with complimentary parking to the Campus Center Parking Garage at check-in. Commuting attendees may park at the Campus Center Parking Garage for a discounted rate of $5.00/day (be sure to obtain a discounted parking coupon). Attendees with a valid state-issued reserved accessible license plate or placard may park in any marked Handicap Space or any nonrestricted, nonreserved space or lot, at no charge, as long as your plate or placard is clearly displayed at all times during your stay. To locate reserved accessible parking, visit the UMass Parking Map, select the blue parking icon on the right, and click the "Handicapped Parking" option.

You should not park at UMass without first obtaining a valid permit as detailed above: parking on campus without a valid permit, pass, placard, or license plate will result in ticketing and/or towing.

Getting Around Campus & the Area

The majority of the conference will take place in the Isenberg School of Management. The closing dinner will be held in the Amherst Room, located on the 10th floor of the UMass Campus Center. Those who selected lodging in the North Apartments will be housed in the North Residential Area, located on Eastman Lane. These buildings are all within a roughly 10-15 minute walk. 

If you will not have a car during your visit, there are multiple transportation options to get you from campus to amenities and attractions in the surrounding area. Amherst center, with local shops, restaurants, and small convenience stores, is a quick 10-15 minute walk from campus. Local buses, operated by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, run regularly between Amherst center and the University, with additional services traveling throughout the Pioneer Valley, including Northampton, Springfield, and Greenfield. If you'd rather take a car, UMass has partnered with Zipcar to bring on-demand car sharing services right to campus. If you find you need to visit a grocery store, large retail store, or pharmacy during your stay, numerous options are located on University Drive and Russell Street (also known as Route 9) in neighboring Hadley, a 5-10 minutes drive from campus by car or bus.

North Apartments

Suite-style accommodations are available in an air-conditioned residence hall, located right on campus within a 15-minute walk of conference activities and multiple dining options. Each suite has four single bedrooms, two baths, a common area and a kitchen. In your lockable bedroom you will find a twin bed, desk, bureau, and linen pack containing two flat sheets, a pillow with case, two towels and a thin blanket. The kitchen, shared with your suitemates, will have a full-sized refrigerator, microwave, and stove-top oven. Guests will be housed in a single-sex suite with three other conference attendees unless a specific suitemate is requested. Detailed information will be sent out to all registered guests as the event approaches. As you plan your visit, please note that check-in is available after 2:00 p.m. on your day of arrival and check-out is by 11:00 a.m. on your day of departure.

The cost of 3 nights in the North Apartments (check-in: August 14; check-out: August 17) is included in the $495.00 registration rate. To stay in the North Apartments, simply select the "Full Registration with North Apartment Lodging" rate during the online registration process. For additional information, please contact the Registration office (413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu).

Hotel UMass

Discounted rooms are available for conference attendees at Hotel UMass, located conveniently in the heart of campus in the Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center. To receive the discounted room rate of $135.00 (plus applicable fees), complete a reservation directly with the Hotel and reference group code ICG16C. The discounted rate is only available until July 15, 2016, or until space fills, so interested guests are encouraged to complete a reservation early. Click here or call 877-822-2110 to make your reservation. Please note: guests staying at Hotel UMass should select the "Full Registration without Lodging" rate during the online registration process.

The Amherst area is home to many hotels, motels, inns, and bed & breakfasts. A variety of large chain hotels are located a 5 - 10 minute drive from the UMass Campus in neighboring Hadley, including the Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, Econo Lodge, Howard Johnson, and Courtyard by Marriott. Looking for something a little different? Amherst, Northampton, and the surrounding area are home to many lovely inns and bed & breakfasts, including the Black Walnut Inn and the Lord Jeffrey Inn, among others, all located within a 10-20 minute drive of campus. To help plan your visit, keep in mind that the University of Massachusetts campus is a 10-15 minute walk or 5-7 minute drive from the center of Amherst, and a 20-minute drive from the center of Northampton. The area is popular with vacationers in the summer, so we encourage you to complete your reservation as soon as possible.

Area Lodging

Allen House: 599 Main Street, Amherst MA 01002. 413-253-5000.
The Black Walnut Inn: 1184 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA. 413-549-5649. 
Comfort Inn: 237 Russell Street (Route 9), Hadley MA 01035. 413-586-7512.
Courtyard by Marriott: 423 Russell Street (Route 9), Hadley MA 01035. 413-256-5454.
Econo-Lodge: 329 Russell Street (Route 9), Hadley MA 01035.
Hampton Inn: 24 Bay Road, Hadley MA 01035. 413-586-4851.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites: 400 Russell Street (Route 9), Hadley MA 01035. 413-582-0002.
Howard Johnson: 401 Russell Street (Route 9), Hadley MA 01035. 413-586-0114.
The Lord Jeffery Inn: 30 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst MA 01002. 413-256-8200.
University Lodge: 345 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002. 413-256-8111.

On-Campus Attractions

You don't need to travel far to find something to do - there are numerous attractions located right here on campus! The Fine Arts Center offers the region's only mix of classical music, dance, theater, jazz, Broadway, special events and galley exhibitions. The UMass Permaculture Initiative is a unique and cutting-edge sustainability program that continues to convert underused grass lawns on the campus into edible, low-maintenance, and easily replicable gardens. Stop by one of their edible landscapes in front of the Franklin or Berkshire Dining Commons, or check out their herb garden located inside of the Worcester Dining Commons. The Mullins Center, our state-of-the-art, multi-purpose facility, hosts diverse events from hockey and basketball to concerts and popular touring performance groups. The Orchard Hill Observatory, located on the highest point of the UMass campus, is home to a 16-inch Cassegrain telescope and is used for public events and open observatory nights. The Durfee Conservatory and Garden, established in 1867, is a historic plant conservatory that offers a sanctuary of calm and serenity among the hustle and bustle of campus.

Area Attractions

Amherst is known for its rural charm and big city appeal. With many restaurants, bars and local shops, visitors get lost exploring our downtown. Located just a few minutes drive from the campus, it is a convenient and popular destination. 

The city of Northampton is a blend of historic, contemporary, intellectual, artsy, athletic and entrepreneurial. With cafes, bars, restaurants, clubs, shops, museums, rivers, parks and spas, Northampton is a place to be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of budget.

Yankee Candle, located about 20 minutes away in South Deerfield, offers an enchanting mix of shopping and entertainment. You'll find 400,000 candles in over 200 different famous Yankee scents, but there are more than just candles at this flagship Village Store. It's a unique, entertaining world of New England charm, fairy tale fantasies, and hands-on, interactive candlemaking that's fun for every age.

Historic Deerfield is an authentic 18th-century New England village. Tour beautifully restored museum houses with period architecture and furnishings, see yankee ingenuity at work in demonstrations of colonial-era trades, and explore the world-famous collection of early American crafts, ceramics, furniture, textiles and metalwork. 

Home to more than three hundred inductees and more than 40,000 square feet of basketball history, the Basketball Hall of Fame stirs the spirits of basketball fans everywhere. Hundreds of interactive exhibits share the spotlight with skills challenges, live clinics, shooting contests and enough basketball history to impress the world’s most avid sports fans. 

Six Flags New England is home to many rides and attractions, from pulse-pounding roller coasters to gentler options for the youngest of thrill seekers. With some of the fastest, tallest, wildest, most gut-wrenching rides in the country (including a few record breakers), as well as family rides, kid rides, entertaining shows and the Hurricane Harbor Water Park, Six Flags New England has fun for everyone.

Want to learn about more things to do in the Pioneer Valley? Click here!

Contact Us

For questions regarding the conference contact the organizers:
Dr. Graham Gal
Email:  gfgal@isenberg.umass.edu

For questions regarding registration, payment, or on-campus lodging contact the Registration Staff:
Email:  registration@umass.edu
Phone: 413-577-8102