MEGA CONFERENCE gets a BIG RESPONSE Bankers and vendors joined forces to kick off the ABA’s inaugural Mega Conference, held October 23-25 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Little Rock. Throughout the three-day event, attendees enjoyed networking with peers from across the state and learning the newest banking trends during the job-specific tracks which included Agricultural Lending, Bank Executives, Leadership, Marketing, Security, Technology and Trust. In addition to the conference sessions, participants experienced a revamped trade show that offered the potential for more one-on-one time with vendors. Event highlights included lunch speakers former NFL player Keith Jackson, who spoke on the importance of teammates and a good attitude along the road to success; NLF referee Walt Coleman, who stressed the need to turn “boos” into positivity; and the marijuana banking panel, which featured Kelly Good of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City/ Denver Branch; Mary Robin Casteel, Director of the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division; and John Vardaman, General Counsel for Hypur, a company who has helped financial institutions automate their marijuana banking regulatory compliance. Utilizing banker feedback, the ABA hopes to continue to grow this Mega event. Here’s what bankers are saying about the Mega Conference: I liked the opportunity to network with several vendors during the breaks and enjoyed talking to other individuals in banking aside from just those that are in the Emerging Leaders. I had a great time at the Happy Hour and thought that it was extremely beneficial to gaining new networking contacts in the industry. - Heather B. The “mega” format was efficient for our bankers and also gave us the opportunity for interaction among groups in the bank that typically don’t travel together. Really like the format. - Sean W. I was not aware this was the first time for an ABA conference of this type. I loved it and look forward to what next year may bring. - Mike S.
THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
(Above) The most-attended event during Mega Conference was a lunchtime panel on marijuana banking, featuring representatives from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Hypur, and the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. (Right) Brant Ward, Signature Bank, Fayetteville; Jennifer Adase, Grand Savings Bank, Rogers; Natalie Bartholomew, Grand Savings Bank, Rogers; and Rachael Potter, Farmers Bank & Trust, Texarkana.
The success of this year’s Mega Conference hinged on our banker volunteers — a MEGA thank you to these individuals for taking time out of your schedule to support the ABA staff at this event! 10
John Thomas Anderson, Malvern National Bank, Little Rock Natalie Bartholomew, Grand Savings Bank, Rogers Gene Crawford, Citizens Bank, Batesville Dave Dickson, Union Bank & Trust, Monticello Blake Fletcher, Stone Bank, Little Rock Lisa Jackson, First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne Randy Scott, Farmers Bank & Trust, Blytheville Mike Shepard, One Bank & Trust, Little Rock Sandy Starnes, Citizens Bank, Batesville The Arkansas Banker | November 2017
Past ABA Chairman Robert Taylor, Citizens Bank, Batesville; current ABA Chairman Dave Dickson, Union Bank & Trust, Monticello; and past ABA Chairman Sean Williams, First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne.
