Exhibiting at NACM’s annual Credit Congress and Credit Research Foundation’s Annual Expo were highlights of the summer 2017 season, where team members took the field to explain the rigorous requirements that each agency member meets annually to qualify for a Certificate of Compliance and Accreditation. At both events, staff and agency members differentiated between certification programs, while practitioners learned how the reputable agency members of Commercial Collection Agencies of America are responsible for restoring billions of dollars to the economy each year.

Click here for a gallery of photos from these events.

Members recently met at The Ritz Carlton-Atlanta for the Spring conference, which overflowed with topnotch
education, frequent networking and the most exciting social events, including the Triadic
Tournament… #thecoolesteventever!

The meeting began with a beautiful Welcome Reception and Dinner on Thursday evening where
members and guests were reacquainted and veterans warmly welcomed first-time attendees, which
accounted for over 20% of the meeting attendees.

On Friday, education sessions started with a roundtable session featuring state regulators, past
Presidents of NACARA-North American Collection Agency Regulatory Association, licensing consultant,
Terri Goins and Cappy Kehoe from International Sureties. The effective small group setting encouraged
discussions regarding state regulations, options for bonding, licensing requirements and the NMLS
platform used for license applications.

Next, Manuel F. Newburger, Esq., Barron & Newburger, P.C. and Chairman of the Independent Standards
Board of Commercial Collection Agencies of America addressed civil and regulatory risk for commercial
agencies that are reporting trade lines on personal guarantors.

The association also welcomed fellow Credit Research Foundation Platinum Partner, Experian, whose
Ann Skibicki, Director of Product Management did a deep dive on Experian data quality and data
aggregation practices, in addition to collection prioritization using Experian risk scores and event
triggers.

A triadic panel tackled pre-lawsuit considerations, including a detailed analysis of types of cases to
forward to an attorney, a look at the components of a detailed letter of instruction to an attorney and how
to choose a good law firm, while considering the criteria which make a case worthy of filing suit. The
panelists presented valuable takeaways such as a Litigation Checklist and the Anatomy of a Suit Request.
Our qualified panel included: Matt Garcia, Barnett & Garcia; Gary Tier, The Forwarders List of Attorneys;
Nancy Seiverd, CMI Credit Mediators and Crystal Duplay, Law Offices of Timothy Sullivan.

In addition to the education sessions, networking sessions, Forwarders and Receivers and the nowfamous
Open Forum ensured that all attendees met one another, while continuing the education
component of the meeting. Topics such as social media policies, multi-generational workforce
communication techniques, with an emphasis on millennials and the acceptance of electronic signatures
within court systems were just a few!

After attending education, it was time to have fun! Attendees traveled to The Porsche Experience Center
in Atlanta, a state-of-the-art facility to enjoy a reception at the eclectic Restaurant 356. Professional drive
instructors then treated attendees to demo laps in 2017 Porsche cars around the 16 turn, 2.38 mile FIAcertified
race track. The speed of the cars, the screams of joy (and maybe fear!), the cheers for colleagues
and the uniqueness of the event made this meeting’s Triadic Tournament another memorable
experience!

During the General Membership meeting, the members discussed the operation of the association,
including the new online educational platform, Commercial Collection Training Institute. Members also
decided to continue the organization’s chartable endeavor, Commercial Collection Agencies of America
Gives Back, by donating a portion of the proceeds of the meeting to the Ronald McDonald House in
Atlanta. Bravo members!

As the conference drew to a close, members networked during an elegant dessert party and after the
conference on Saturday, groups of members took in Atlanta’s top attractions during a Tour of CNN World
Headquarters, a tour of The World of Coca-Cola, rounds of golf at St. Marlo Country Club and an outing to
the Georgia Aquarium-all great opportunities to spend time with colleagues and friends.

Thank you to all of our vendors and sponsors for the spring conference, who make our conference
amazing! They are:

• Barnett & Garcia PLLC 
• Blackwell, Burke & Ramsey P.C.
• Buchbinder
• Datamatx
• Gaba Law Corporation
• Gottlieb Ostrager LLP
• The Guerrini Law Firm
• Healpay
• Heitner and Breitstein PC
• Instream LLC
• International Sureties
• Kitchens Kelley Gaynes, P.C.
• Lyon Collection Services. Inc.
• Miller Cohen Peterson Young P.C.
• Rinehart Scaffidi & Rinehart LLC
• Roach & Murtha, P.C.
• Saldana Law Firm LLC
• Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers LLP
• Stillman Law Office
• Sweet & Walker, P.C.

Thank you to all the attendees for their attendance and especially for their participation! We are glad you
were there!