Eastern Region Conference illuminates opportunities in economic downturn.

While many struggles and difficulties face the B2B credit world today, it's important for professionals in the industry to recognize that a crisis is normally just an opportunity in disguise. Attendees at this year's NACM Eastern Region Credit Conference (ERCC), hosted at Marriott's award-winning Wentworth by the Sea Resort in New Castle, NH, sought to take advantage of the sometimes hidden opportunities offered by the current credit crisis by learning new ways to balance risk while exploring and pioneering chances to solidify and enhance sales, credit management and their companies' bottom lines.

This year's program, held from November 5-7, 2008, opened with a networking reception in the Expo Hall where attendees got a chance to reunite with old friends and make new ones, while taking a look at some of the products and services offered by exhibitors. Educational sessions began on the second day, with an enlightening presentation by one of NACM's favorite legal experts, Wanda Borges, Esq., who delivered a presentation entitled "Antitrust & What Your Company Needs to Know." The intricacies of antitrust law aren't often discussed by credit professionals, but it's an area where a credit professional who attends a group meeting could get themselves, their colleagues and their companies into a great deal of trouble. Luckily for attendees, Borges outlined just what credit professionals and their employers need to be aware of when it comes to antitrust laws like the Robinson-Patman Act, the Clayton Act and others.

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The ERCC also included a presentation by business coach, speaker, published author and behavior specialist Joanie Winberg, entitled "Managing Communications and Perceptions," which gave attendees an eye-opening chance to improve some of their softer skills. The two education luncheon sessions were "Branding and Why Is It Important to You?" delivered by public relations expert and Emmy-award winning television producer Lyn Chamberlin, and a global economic round-up by Byron Shoulton, chief economist and vice president at FCIA ...