From the home office in Columbia, Maryland ...: top 10 ways to get the most out of credit congress.(Top Ten)

10. Prepare your goals in advance. Make sure you know exactly what it is you want to take away from Credit Congress. Prepare a list ahead of time and match up your goals with the sessions offered--what do you want to achieve professionally and personally, and how can Credit Congress help you reach that goal?

9. Explore the conference schedule (see pages 36 through 62). Take a look at the sessions offered now--don't wait until you get to the conference! By making your decisions now, you can save yourself valuable time and effort once you get to Louisville. Make a master schedule, plotting your time at Credit Congress. Don't forget the social events! Educational sessions are important, but the social engagements are just as vital to your business relationships. Casual meetings at a dinner may turn into a priceless industry connection. Make sure you take a colleague or peer with you--they may know some people you don't, and can make the appropriate introductions. Put these on your schedule so you can be sure to attend!

8. Prepare your "elevator speech." This is your quick introduction, overview of your job and your company, for use in those brief moments everyone experiences. Have three versions at the ready:

a) The 30-second version for the briefest moments

b) The one minute version for those you'd like to network with

c) The slightly-longer version for when someone asks you to tell them more

7. Stay at a conference hotel. Less time getting to conference events means more time to network and gain valuable business experience! It also increases the number of chance encounters you may have, adding even more benefit to your Credit Congress experience. This year, rooms are blocked for Credit Congress attendees at The Gait House, the Hyatt Regency Louisville and the Marriott Louisville Downtown.