After almost a year of pandemic-induced lockdowns, travel bans and similar restrictions on the ability of people to travel and meet up in the usual way, online "webinars" and "virtual conferences" have increased dramatically in the American expat-focused wealth management, tax and financial advice sectors.

For the first time since she began sponsoring her annual International Tax Conference in 2011, Deborah J. Hicks is arranging for the event to take place online this year, owing to the Covid pandemic, and consequent global lockdown.