The critical business value of attending Credit Congress.(NACM'S 110TH CREDIT CONGRESS & EXPOSITION)

Today there are many sources for getting information you need in your daily life ... books and other publications in print and online, CDs/DVDs, the Internet, NACM's Resource Library, web blogs and other media. But it's important to understand that to be plugged in to your field of business, you also need to attend Credit Congress. Why? Because at Credit Congress you'll meet decision makers who can help you connect issues with answers, problems with solutions, and ideas with innovative perspectives. If you want to get ahead in your field, you need to do more with less ... work with greater speed and efficiency ... and produce superior results: in short, you need to make an impact. At Credit Congress, you'll learn how--from business and government leaders, analysts, consultants and academics.

And only at this event do you have access to hundreds of people involved in your line of work. Whether they're peers in credit and risk management jobs, vendors who provide services to people in your field, or speakers and experts, you will meet them, hear them, learn from them, and obtain their expert advice at Credit Congress. And it isn't just about the sessions and the demos ... it's all about who you might meet during breaks, special events, and in the Expo Hall. In fact, the most important aspect of attending is meeting people that you wouldn't have otherwise met: it is often the most life-and-career-changing aspect of the conference. Being able to establish a personal connection with other professionals in your field is critical to being a success. These are the people who will inspire you.

Attending Credit Congress is a priceless experience: take these steps to ensure you get your maximum value.

Before The Conference

1. Evaluate what you specifically want to achieve. Make concrete connections between the value Credit Congress represents and your personal and professional goals, and keep them in mind as you prepare a list of the most important questions you'd like answered while you're at the conference.

2. Explore the conference schedule in this issue. Don't wait until after the event has started to make plans. Be selective and strategic about your schedule, and make sure you include presentations made by vendors: they offer a look at cutting-edge technology and can address your needs and constraints.

3. Find out what social events are scheduled and put them on your schedule. Make plans to attend with a peer from your company or an industry group you belong to--they may know people you don't, and can provide appropriate introductions. Make sure you leverage every social opportunity to develop ...