Richard Branson Headlines List of Keynote Speakers at 2006 AFP Annual Conference

Critical Issues Impacting the Practice and Future of Treasury and Finance will be Discussed in More than 140 Sessions at the AFP Conference , Oct. 15-18 in Las Vegas

Bethesda, MD – May 31, 2006 – Richard Branson, will head the list of featured speakers at the Association for Financial Professionals'(AFP) Annual Conference October 15-18 in Las Vegas, NV. Branson will share his unique perspective on leadership at the Opening General Session of the AFP Conference on Sunday, October 15.

Considered the most important forum in the finance industry, the AFP Annual Conference is attended by treasury and financial professionals from across the world. The conference will provide original, essential, and unbiased information addressing the emerging issues affecting the profession. The proprietary content addresses crucial issues impacting the roles of treasury professionals, including doing business in emerging markets, disaster recovery, data security, electronic payments —breaking down payment silos and treasury’s role in mergers and acquisitions.

"We are proud that our 2006 Conference will showcase important advancements in treasury and finance and provide a critical forum to address the issues impacting business performance," said Jim Kaitz, President and CEO of the AFP. "The conference provides an unmatched forum for access to up-to-date industry information and best practices. The caliber of our speakers and programming represents the best of our profession and will provide valuable information and educational opportunities for all who attend."

The 2006 AFP Conference will bring together industry executives and thought leaders. In addition to Richard Branson other featured speakers will include Co-Authors of the cultural phenomenon Freakonomics, Steve Levitt and Stephen Dubner.

Nearly 6,000 treasury and finance professionals from around the world are expected to attend the 2006 AFP Annual Conference, which will feature 140 professional development opportunities, including workshops, seminars, and hot topic breakfast roundtables. Among the key issues that will be addressed at the 2006 AFP Conference are: driving business performance; payment systems; treasury operations; working capital management; finance organization and performance; corporate finance and capital structure; global financial management; and risk management.

The AFP Exhibit Hall will showcase cutting-edge new products, and services and solutions offered by nearly 300 service providers for the treasury and finance industry. There will also be networking opportunities, exhibits and many other activities designed to inform and educate the treasury and finance professionals attending the premier treasury and finance event of the year. Deadline for registration is September 8. Registration costs for the 2006 AFP Annual Conference are $1,199 for members and $1,494 for nonmembers. For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.afponline.org/pub/conf/annual_conference.html.

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The Association for Financial Professionals, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, supports more than 14,000 individual members from a wide range of industries throughout all stages of their careers in various aspects of treasury and financial management. AFP is the preferred resource for financial professionals for continuing education, career development, certifications, research, representation to legislators and regulators, and the development of industry standards. Sponsored by the Association for Financial Professionals, the CTP designation is the globally recognized industry standard for treasury and a requirement for a changing profession. More than 16,000 professionals have earned AFP’s certification since 1986. For more information about AFP, visit www.AFPonline.org.