The InterConnection VOLUME 5
n
ISSUE 4
n
JULY/AUGUST 2017
Another One Under our Belts – The 121st Credit Congress Wraps Up Grapevine Texas between June 11th and June 14th was awash with credit professionals, vendors and National and affiliate staff, all come together to learn, network and celebrate the credit profession. As usual, the event succeeded at all of these initiatives and more. Of the over 1,000 participants, nearly 250 (that’s 25%) were from NACM Connect. That’s something we can all be proud of. We have an incredibly strong and vibrant affiliate, and it was fun to get members from all over the Connect territory together. They took advantage of the many learning opportunities offered, visited with the vendors in the exhibit hall and even found time for a little fun at the various events sponsored by NACM Connect, Caine & Weiner, and many of our business partners. Congress also is a great time for the NACM affiliate staff to reconnect and share experiences. Sharing best practices with other affiliates always makes for a stronger and more relevant National Association. The idea of all the affiliates working toward the same end was heard loud and clear with the roll out of the new NACM National
and affiliate logos, giving a common feel to the entire organization. The new logo was received incredibly positively by the membership. NACM Connect members were again lauded at the awards ceremony at the general session on Monday morning. For the second year in a row, an NACM Connect member won the OD Glaus Credit Executive of Distinction award. The O.D. Glaus Credit Executive of Distinction seeks to acknowledge exemplary professionals within the field of credit. This year the award was bestowed upon Larry O’Brien, CCE, ICCE, Senior Director, Corporate Credit at Potash Corp. in Northbrook, Illinois. You may recognize Larry’s name as both the immediate past Chairman of the Board of NACM/Chicago-Midwest as well as the winner of the Mentor of the Year award in 2012. Larry’s involvement as a leader, a mentor and a strong supporter of NACM throughout his career contributed to his receiving this honor. Also receiving awards this year were Kevin Stinner, CCE, CCRA, Credit Manager at Crop Production Services and Theresa Lawler,
CBF, CCRA, The Chamberlain Group. Both won awards that were given out for the first time this year. Stinner was awarded the New Emerging Leader Award. This new award is in recognition of our emerging leaders that have the vision and insights to see the value of the Association and that have the desire to share their vision and insights. Candidates were required to write an essay about the critical role business credit plays in today’s business economy. Stinner will present his ideas at the 2018 Credit Congress. Lawler’s award was to recognize her achievement that led to her CCRA designation. Lawler’s contributions to NACM Connect, particularly in her work on the Scholarship Committee, stood out to the awards committee as someone who exemplifies the spirit of our membership. Her desire to improve her knowledge of the field through education combined with her support of the Association contributed to her being given this award. Please share our memories of the 121st Credit Congress by viewing the pictorial on page 13 of this newsletter. Keep in mind the next Credit Congress will be held in Phoenix, AZ June 10 – 13. Let’s break our 25% record! ■
Announcing Real-Time Videoconference Education It’s here! Beginning with the fall semester of the NACM Connect Institute of Credit, we will be offering two classes to all NACM Connect members via videoconferencing. Any member that is not within driving distance of a location where classes are being offered can now get the education needed to obtain the NACM Designations. Three classes are necessary to sit for the CBA exam, Business Credit Principles, Basic Financial Accounting, and Financial Statement Analysis. Both Business Credit Principles and Financial Statement Analysis will be offered this fall. The cost is the same as for in-person education, but you must have compatible technology in order to take advantage of these classes. Also, you are never going to get a better educational experience than sitting in a classroom in a live situation, so if you are close enough to get to a location for any of these classes,
Margaret will be in touch with all candidates to run through the technology requirements. We are excited to be offering this education alternative to our members. Another demonstration of the power of NACM Connect! Class Schedule - Fall Semester 2017 Business Credit Principles Monday evenings, Aug 21 - Oct 30 (No classes on Labor Day.) please always make that your first option.
Financial Statement Analysis Thursday evenings, Aug 24 - Oct 26
In order to register for the videoconferencing classes, visit the NACM Connect website at http://www.nacmmidwest. org/chicago/home.htm and click on the videoconferencing registration link, or contact Margaret Krafft at 847.483.6420.
PLEASE NOTE: Only two missed classes per semester are allowed. If you miss three or more class sessions you will automatically be given an Incomplete for the course. ■