ACA’s spring education and networking conference concluded on Friday with innovative ideas and exclusive educational opportunities.
03/24/2023 3:50 P.M.
3 minute read
Connections were built at ACA International’s IGNITE 2023 and attendees left with new ideas to implement at their agencies, all the result of getting input from colleagues across the accounts receivable management (ARM) industry.
IGNITE featured over 10 hours of in-person networking opportunities in addition to the 19 education sessions.
Attendees previewed the expo hall on Wednesday to connect with exhibitors before the welcome reception, where they had the chance to mingle and get a drink and some quick bites.
The education journey kicked off on Thursday with an interactive session exploring the future of the ARM industry led by Steve Kusic, CEO of NRA Group LLC, and Porter Heath Morgan, partner at Martin Lyons Watts Morgan PLLC.
Kusic and Morgan spoke about the five “paradigm shifts” they predict the ARM industry will see in the next five to 10 years and gave the audience a chance to ask questions about various topics ranging from AI integration and process automation to market consolidation.
Also on Thursday, the Women in Collections Resource Committee hosted a networking reception for women and industry professionals, sponsored by Payscout, that focused on the ways members in the industry can support each other.
David Williams, ACA president-elect and president at Williams & Fudge Inc., said ACA’s in-person events like IGNITE are a chance to connect with people you might not normally have the opportunity to meet, and create sense of camaraderie that you can’t get through Zoom meetings and email.
Thursday evening, attendees had the chance to don their favorite college gear and join ACPAC, ACA’s political action committee, for a nightcap event with drinks, food and fun games, sponsored by TCN and Williams and Fudge Inc. Members networked, played cornhole, PAC-pong, and competed in a free throw basketball tournament. Harry Strausser III, president at Applied Innovation Inc., finished the night as reigning champ.
The final day of IGNITE began Friday with an interactive session titled “Tech-nique Dating: Exploring Technology Innovation in the Collection Industry,” where attendees had the opportunity to rotate between roundtable discussions with industry experts to learn about the various technologies and innovations implemented in the ARM industry.
Participants had seven minutes to ask questions on each topic and discuss as a table. Topics included:
- Texting and Emailing Consumers
- Selecting a New Collection System
- Utilizing Artificial Intelligence
- Process Automation
- Data Mining
- Chatbots and Other Digital Communication Tools
Other Friday sessions covered compliance, regulatory activity at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Federal Trade Commission, navigating nearshore operations, utilizing data and technology and innovative ideas for the future of ARM industry. ACA used an app for attendees to ask questions during the education sessions, which was easily accessible through a QR code.
ACA has many more opportunities to learn if you were not at IGNITE this year.
Check out our full online education calendar for the opportunity to register for series on business optimization, compliance and state specifics for collectors.
Registration for the May 15-17 Washington Insights Fly-In is open, as well as for the July Convention & Expo in Chicago! Speaker proposals are being accepted for Convention and due April 7. Fill out the form with your proposal idea here.
Did you meet someone new at IGNITE or would you like to have follow-up conversations on takeaways? Try connecting on The Hub, ACA’s online member community, which features a new user-friendly online community platform.
If you used the Guidebook app during IGNITE, an evaluation is available to share your thoughts on the event. You can still download the app now, using passphrase IGNITE23, to share your feedback.
Thank You IGNITE 2023 Sponsors: Skit.ai, Connect International, TEC Services Group, Inc., Payscout, VoApps DirectDrop Voicemail, Solutions by Text, Debt$Net Collection Software, Kredit, and Provana.
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