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Debt collection is an in-the-trenches, no-love industry, which means that debt collections professionals often felt hung out to dry, like they have little support in the business world.
But you need support. The debt collection industry is always changing and ever-evolving. Laws related to consumer credit, creditors rights, and collections are constantly under revision. Tools, technology, and resources are regularly appearing and disappearing. What’s more, you must stay on top of not only debt collection, but also of related industries like compliance, banking, loans and fraud. It’s a complex environment.
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There is support out there. To help debt collections professionals and their companies ensure compliance, follow the law, and stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest collections-related tech, dozens of associations, organizations, nonprofits, and trade groups come together every year to offer events, forums and conferences for the debt collections industry. On offer: Keynotes and discussions from leading industry professionals, breakout groups, continuing education, and plenty of networking opportunities. Throw in a few expos, and you’ll have all the technology and services you require to keep abreast of legal requirements and on top of the collections game.
The following list includes conferences and events taking place in 2020 and early 2021. Most of the events take place in the United States, with a few international events, as well. Please note that these events are listed in chronological order, and as such, some 2020 dates may have already passed at the time of publication. Where possible, we have noted future conference dates.
1.
@NCLC4consumers March 30-31, 2020 Portland, OR
The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) is a nonprofit organization focused on consumer law, consumer justice, and economic security, especially for the disadvantaged and low-income. Every year, the NCLC holds the Fair Debt Collection Practices Conference, which offers both introductory and advanced tracks to FDCPA lawsuits. While the conference is designed for consumer advocates in mind, it is an excellent way for debt collectors to stay up-to-date on collections ethics and current industry law.
Cost to Attend: Unfortunately, this conference has been cancelled for 2020 due to health concerns for attendees but will be held again in 2021.
2.
April 15-17, 2020 Las Vegas, NV
The National Credit Union Collections Alliance, or NCUCA, is one of the country’s premier credit union industry organizations, and is dedicated to providing accurate, up-to-date information on credit union-related issues. The NCUCA Annual Conference is a three-day, information-rich event that explores a range of topics, such as the state of the credit union industry, consumer financial litigation, collector production metrics, collection law, and bankruptcy. This year, the event begins with a golf tournament.
Cost to Attend: $799
3.
April 22-24, 2020 Atlanta, GA
What do you get when you pull together Collectors Associations from multiple Southeastern states? The ACA Southeast Regional Collector’s Conference (formerly, the Tri-State Spring Conference). This annual event welcomes regional professionals to an educational few days, with knowledgeable speakers and apropos topics, like how to overcome collection burnout and what you’ll need to build a winning team.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
4.
@NASP__ April 23-24, 2020 Nashville, TN
The National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to the ever-developing needs of the subrogation profession. Embracing this niche, the conference is affectionately coined “Grand Ole Subro”. The Subrogation Litigation: Skills and Management Conference dives deep into subrogation, from topics like the largest property cases and documenting improper installations, ethical dilemmas, and dangerous conditions.
Cost to Attend: NASP members should contact the organization for pricing.
5.
April 26-28, 2020 Kansas City, MO
Like other regional conferences before it, the Midwest Collection Conference gathers together debt collections professionals from the Midwest, to discuss topics related to the industry and the region, specifically. This offers not only a chance for education, but an excellent opportunity for networking with your closest peers.
Cost to Attend: ACA member registration is $295 and non-member registration is $350.
6.
April 27-29, 2020
Clearwater, Florida
CreditCon is an event for credit professionals to gather and network. Topics attendees will learn about include credit counseling, debt settlement and other industry tips. The 2020 speaker lineup includes the likes of Julie Wooding from FICO, Steve Ely (CEO of eCredable) and Francis Creighton (CEO of CDIA). Alongside the conference benefits, the event takes place in beautiful Clearwater, Florida!
Cost to Attend: $649 – $799
7.
April 27-29, 2020
Clearwater Beach, Florida
According to the conference site this conference, “…connects thousands of online merchants, solution providers, card brands, issuers…to discuss best practices, strategies, challenges, growth opportunities, and more spanning fraud and payments.” With more than 1600 attendees and 100+ different speakers stretched over 4 days in sunny Florida. There are some powerhouse names, including former Active Director of the FBI Andrew McCabe.
Cost to Attend: $1800 – $2700 (This event has been postponed due to current health concerns.)
8.
@CLLAInforms May 6-8, 2020 Chicago, IL
The CLLA is an organization of attorneys and other financial professionals “actively engaged in the field of commercial law, bankruptcy and insolvency.” CLLA’s 2020 National Convention is heavily focused on new and developing bankruptcy issues. While the event is held in Chicago, the seminars detail several states including; Illinois, Colorado and Texas. The issues covered for specific states and cities have dedicated rooms at the venue in Chicago. Topics expected to be covered include going paperless while remaining compliant, managing remote employees and a Chapter 12 bankruptcy code focus session.
Cost to Attend: CLLA members $800-$950, non-members $1900
9.
May 6-8, 2020 Las Vegas, NV
Collection and Recovery Solutions 2020, aka CRS2020, is an educational conference aimed at senior-level creditors involved in every aspect of the industry: compliance, collection, risk, recovery operations and strategy. Over three days, you’ll attend talks and roundtables, and discuss topics like how to drive peak performance, improve recovery, and other performance-related themes. CRS2020 is billed as an exclusive and highly targeted event for collections professionals.
Cost to Attend: Creditor attendee registration is $895 and invited attendee registration is $2695.
10.
@NARCA May 13-16, 2020 Atlanta, GA
The National Creditors Bar Association (NARCA) is a trade association that serves law firms and the practice of creditors rights law. Every year (and twice a year, see event #43), the NARCA Spring Conference offers a chance for industry insiders to network, learn, and earn CLE credits, while they stay current with technology and meet vendors that benefit the industry. Conference attendance usually reaches well over 800, and is composed of creditors, creditors rights attorneys, and other industry professionals.
Cost to Attend: $875-$1,660
11.
@Card_Forum May 18-20, 2020 Miami, FL
The Card Forum is an annual industry event for card and payment executives, as well as for professionals at networks, retailers and issuers. The multi-day program includes cutting-edge insights from various industry leaders – think PayPal, Visa, Bank of America, and Google – and offers educational features, including case studies, as well as plenty of networking opportunities. More than 600 professionals attend every year, and represent credit unions, networks, banks, merchants, solutions providers, and processors.
Cost to Attend: $1795 for card issuers, banks and credit unions. $2095 for all other attending professionals.
12.
@ACAIntl May 19-21, 2020 Washington, DC
Another great offering from ACA International, the Washington Insights Conference welcomes about 100 of your colleagues to an event about the critical voices that help shape the credit and collections industry. Since this is the Washington conference, Congressional speakers and representatives will speak at the event; other speakers come from key regulatory agencies.
Cost to Attend: $250 for ACA International members.
13.
June 10-12, 2020
Austin, TX
According to the organization putting on IAST, Inside Arm, the event presents “credit and collections strategy experts with the broadest, most data-informed and practical points-of-view, plus you’ll get to vet innovative, applicable new technology…” There are keynote sessions as well as breakouts with strategic planning for a more applicable style.
Cost to Attend: $1499
14.
June 11-13, 2020 San Francisco, CA
The Commercial Collection Agencies of America Annual Meeting is a hybrid educational-networking event, with a strong focus on current trends in the collections industry. You’ll dive deep into case scenarios and problem-solving, and forums let you break out into even more focused groups. There’s plenty of scheduled downtime, as this conference also focuses on networking with your peers and industry experts.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
15.
June 14-17, 2020
Las Vegas, NV
The Credit Congress and Expo is more than a conference full of seminars and speakers. Although, all of those events are on the official schedule. It’s the “Expo” section that is both unique and exciting, setting this venue one of the favorites on the list. The Expo boasts in being the largest gathering of creditors and financial service professionals in the country. Plus, everything takes place in Vegas.
Cost to Attend: $989 – $1499
16.
@NACM_National June 14-17, 2020 Las Vegas, NV
If you’re looking for one of the longest-standing conferences in the industry, you can’t miss the Annual Credit Congress & Expo, now in its 121st iteration. Over several days, the Credit Congress will present 60+ compelling, timely and engaging sessions, before breaking out to present focused education tracks on topics like credit management, credit technology, and business and technical skills. The expo half of the event showcases vendors from around the U.S. and world, with products and resources essential to the industry.
Cost to Attend: Members are $989, non-members are $1149 and service providers are $1499.
17.
Jun. 14 – 17, 2020 Providence, RI
The Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA) is dedicated to improving the state tax administration, primarily through the provision of services to authorities and administrators. The goal of the Annual Meeting is to fill in the tax administration blanks – and to answer any and all questions you might have, as you read between the lines, from a debt collection perspective.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
18.
June 14-17, 2020 North Miami Beach, FL
The International Collector’s Group (ICG), formerly Men of Ideas, was founded more than 50 years ago, to bring together the best and brightest, from the largest collections agencies in the world. Today, ICG holds an annual meeting that does just that: for several days, the world’s most talented collections professionals assemble to discuss innovative solutions, technology, and other topics relevant and timely to the industry.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
19.
June 15, 2020
Nashville, TN
NorthLegal brings us a unique conference setting for anyone desiring to brush up on their bankruptcy fundamentals. Bankruptcy law directly affects the collections industry, yet many debt professionals aren’t aware of the basics of bankruptcy law. This seminar is perfect for collection companies looking to stay abreast of the surrounding issue of bankruptcy.
Cost to Attend: $169 – $179
20.
June 16-19, 2020 Nashville, TN
Designed for professionals with a solid understanding of consumer bankruptcy law, the NorthLegal Advanced Bankruptcy Conference explores deeper topics and complex rules, and then tests your knowledge of these against real life – real-world examples of bankruptcy and collections. As this is not a general overview-type program, you can expect to drill down into very specific, detailed and understandable tools, information and strategies to analyze Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings, to comply with current law, and other topics.
Cost to Attend: General registration is $875 and last-minute registration is $975.
21.
July 8-11, 2020
San Diego, CA
The NACTT is an organization dedicated to Chapter 13 bankruptcy education, and this is the focal point of their annual seminar. For 2020, the five-day event covers topics including evaluating tax returns in Chapter 13, economic trends,HR issues, red flags, financial reporting/accounting, case law update, insurance, and Chapter 13 completion. Additionally, a number of committee meetings will be held. Speakers include representatives from the U.S. Trustees, U.S. Court Service officials and NACTT members.
Cost to Attend: $900 – $1100 (Depending on when you sign up)
22.
July 12-15, 2020 Norfolk, VA
The Southeastern Association of Tax Administrators (SEATA) hosts an annual conference populated by expert speakers, rich networking opportunities, education, and interactive breakout sessions. Topics involve everything from customer service, examination, and collection processes, to trending issues like fraud and identity theft. There are several government-only and industry-only panel discussions, as well as government decision-makers as attendees.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
23.
@ACAIntl July 15-17, 2020 Chicago, IL
ACA International – officially, the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals – is one of the biggest names in the collections industry, promising a comprehensive range of knowledge-based resources for the collections industry. The ACA International Convention & Expo gathers powerful and knowledgeable industry speakers, to deliver inspiring and innovative ideas, solutions, and stories. You’ll dig into emerging collections trends, best practices, new technologies, and other topics, and along the way, you’ll network like a boss.
Cost to Attend: Not yet available.
24.
July 28 – 30, 2020 Stowe, VT
Receivables Management Association International (RMAi)l is a nonprofit trade association “represents more than 550 companies that support the purchase, sale, and collection of performing and nonperforming receivables on the secondary market.”, This makes the RMAi Executive Summit one of the most important and focused events in the industry. Every year, this conference welcomes hundreds of attendees to dozens of exhibit booths, with a focus on networking-collection agencies, collection law firms, major creditors, and other related members from around the world. Additionally, conference education opportunities invite you to meet your ongoing certification requirements.
Cost to Attend: $1095 – $1145 is the member rate, based on sign up date. $1445 is the non-member rate.
25.
August 3-4, 2020
Miami, FL
For 15 years, Future Digital Finance (previously dubbed NetFinance) is a popular conference for all things financial innovation. Many of the largest financial institutions in the U.S. contribute and participate, and now the conference brings in cross-industry professionals. The goal: to innovate solutions for the challenges facing the financial services industry today.
Cost to Attend: The event has been postponed until August due to health concerns and pricing information doesn’t seem to be available yet.
26.
August 17-20, 2020 Las Vegas, NV
If you’re after some in-depth training in consumer debt law, then the NorthLegal Consumer Collections Conference will be right up your alley. Among the topics on offer: must-know statutes and regulations, how courts may interpret legal requirements and prohibitions, “hot” areas for litigation, common myths and misunderstandings, and what to expect from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”).
Cost to Attend: $875-$975
27.
@CLLAInforms Sept 11, 2020 Universal City, CA
This annual event is a joint venture with CLLA and IACC. The Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) is North America’s oldest creditors’ rights organization, founded in 1895; the International Association of Commercial Collectors, Inc. (IACC) works to educate collection professionals and provide professional resources for collaboration. Together, they host a western region conference – one of the most targeted in the industry.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
28.
@ACAIntl Sept 13-15, 2020 Atlantic City, NJ
ACA events are often dedicated to debt collection information and processes. In addition to that focus, these events are often regional. The localized focus allows for speakers and exhibits to specialize in local laws and practices (in addition to national issues). Regional meetings are also a time for ACA members to have meetings. There are also keynote speakers, which have not been announced for the fall expo.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
29.
September 13-16, 2020 Niagara Falls, NY
The North Eastern States Tax Officials Association (NESTOA) is an organization that represents Connecticut, Delaware, Vermont, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. tax officials. The annual NESTOA Conference discusses important issues that tax agencies are faced with, and also showcases interesting tech solutions. Knowledge-sharing is big here.
Cost to attend: Contact for attendance cost
30.
@omtra1 Sept 13-16, 2020 Windsor, Ontario (Canada)
Every year, the Ontario Municipal Tax and Revenue Association (OMTRA) holds educational, multi-day seminars, primarily for Canadian professionals. This year, the OMTRA Spring Seminar is dedicated to the theme of “Technology in Revenue – Reaching New Heights!” On the agenda: how you could get in trouble with technology, forensic accounting, and updates on laws, rules and initiatives.
Cost to Attend: $750 – $1050 for the full conference. Prices range based on whether registrants are members of OMTRA and whether the ticket is for the entire conference or a specific day.
31.
Sept 15, 2020 Atlantic City, NJ
Imagine having your office staff personally trained, for a day, by a Collections Compliance Officer and Attorney. There’s a lot of value in that. With that in mind, this seminar is all about your back-office staff experiences and compliance: written vs. oral disputes, identity theft, FDCPA and FCRA crossover, complaint tracking, and unresponsive clients.
Cost to Attend: TBA
32.
September 15-17, 2020 Las Vegas, NV
The Debt Connection Symposium and Expo focuses on education and networking, with industry service providers, agencies, product suppliers, attorneys, and clients. Expert faculty present educational lectures, and in your down time you’re encouraged to mingle and meet industry professionals, peers, and providers. Topics are geared toward collections professionals, collection attorneys, healthcare, credit unions, auto finance, and related industries.
Cost to Attend: $895-$1,495
33.
September 22-25, 2020 Anaheim, CA
The California Revenue Officers Association (CROA) is a nonprofit organization, composed of collections and collections-related entities throughout the state. Members are responsible for billings and collections, so this event will be right up your alley. The association has yet to announce events for this year’s annual conference, but typically on the schedule are lectures, solutions and networking opportunities.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
34.
@williamsfudge September 27-30, 2020 Isle of Palms, SC
The student loans industry can often feel like a knotted maze, which is why the annual Student Loans & Receivables Collection Conference is such a boon to the industry. The annual event is designed to assist college and university personnel – the professionals in charge of federal loan and accounts receivable compliance – but can also offer a wealth of information for collections professionals.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
35.
October 4-6, 2020 Rancho Mirage, CA
Here’s another one for you Californians: The California Association of Collectors, Inc. (CAC) offers up it’s annual Conference and Expo, welcoming member agencies and representatives to learn about, discuss, and problem-solve the challenges and current events of the collections industry. On the expo side, you’ll find plenty of collections services and tools to fuel profits and a more successful business.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
36.
Oct 5-7, 2020 Nashville, TN
Every year, the North American Collection Agency Regulatory Association (NACARA) holds an annual conference to provide training, education, and other elements for industry professionals. The schedule of events has yet to be announced for 2020 but in past years, speakers have hailed from big names like DBA International, ACA International, Americollect, and more.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
37.
October 19-21, 2020
Atlanta, GA
The 2019 ICE Conference was so well-received, committees immediately began planning for the (now upcoming) 2020 Insurance Collection Executives Conference. This year’s event is to be held in Atlanta, GA at the Westin, Buckhead. At this time, the speakers and content haven’t been fully decided, but all of these details will be released over the coming weeks.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
38.
October 19-21, 2020
San Diego, CA
The Lending Conference is an event designed to have the “…industry’s most successful lenders will provide you with lending’s best practices, ideas, strategies, and tactics.” The 2020 event in San Diego will include multiple relevant topics, such as; how changes in consumer lending affect financial institutions, strategies for a stronger bottom line and case studies for success.
Cost to Attend: $1649 – $2449
39.
@creditorsbar October 21-24, 2020 Phoenix, AZ
If you can’t make it to the spring conference, NCBA’s back with its fall iteration. The NCBA Fall Conference again focuses on the issues facing creditors rights, with cutting-edge and expert educational offerings, as well as products and services that benefit the industry. Like the spring version, this conference sees big attendance, so networking opportunities are ripe.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
40.
October 26-28, 2020 New Orleans, LA
There’s proven power in discussing success, and that’s what PowerUp 2020 is all about. This event, which draws accounts receivable management (ARM) professionals, healthcare revenue cycle management (RCM) professionals, and government (GOV) markets, focuses on revenue recovery, making it a good choice for collections professionals looking to expand their knowledge and reach.
Cost to Attend: TBA
41.
November 4-6, 2020 Frisco, TX
If you missed ACA International’s big Spring Forum, then sign up for the Fall Forum. From one of the biggest names in collections, comes one of the biggest events of the year: a forum that draws hundreds of debt collections officials and some of the brightest minds in the industry. Networking is excellent, and the educational offerings are even better, as the ACA has a strong focus on knowledge-based resources for the collections industry.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
42.
November 15-18, 2020 San Diego, CA
The National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP), the subrogation industry’s trade association, hosts an annual conference. Not only does the event offer an excellent opportunity for niche networking, but it’s the perfect time to catch up on your CLE credits; seminars are offered in a variety of topics, including continuing legal education and continuing ed for adjusters. The conference itself is divided into tracks: auto, property, health and management, to cover very focused, very important topics for each industry.
Cost to Attend: TBD; 2015 Conference Costs $1,095-$1,575
43.
@NCLC4consumers November 19-22, 2020 Atlanta, GA
For collectors, it can be a full-time job to simply stay on top of evolving consumer rights law. Enter the Consumer Rights Litigation Conference, an event where you can earn CLE credits, update your knowledge, and attend interactive, comprehensive, and highly educational breakout sessions with the conference’s expert speakers.
Cost to Attend: Contact for attendance cost
44.
May 19-22, 2021
Chicago, IL
The National Creditors Bar Association is one of the most active organizations, in terms of event planning. Perhaps this is why they already have a full event schedule for 2021! The Spring conference for 2021 will take place in Chicago almost toward the beginning of Summer.
Cost to Attend: TBA
45.
July 28, 2021
Las Vegas, NV
ACA is prolific, in terms of producing a full range of events. In fact, ACA conferences make up more of this list than any other single organization. This particular event listing is for the big annual convention and expo for 2021 in the world-famous Las Vegas. Speakers and content are not yet announced and will be released in the coming weeks.
Cost to Attend: TBA
46.
Suitcase Classes At Your Location (2 Day Sessions)
Collections professionals know how important it is to be in compliance with federal consumer financial laws, which makes the Third Party Vendor Auditing Workshop one of the industry’s must-attend events. For two days this event explores topics like collections policies and procedures, security, payment processes, consumer protections, and compliance with laws and regulations. It is different than other events on the list, as each event is scheduled by organizations who desire it. The speakers and information come to you.
Cost to Attend: Contact organization for pricing details.
47.
Suitcase Classes Available for your location
Here’s a thought-provoking question: Does your top 20% bring in 80% of your income? Or, how about this one: Is it a reasonable expectation that collectors deliver 50% of what your top performers deliver? If you want to know what most people think, sign up for Collection Management Training, which pulls back the curtain and reveals what happens in most collection organizations. This event is heavily learning-based, and focuses on topics like maximizing your collectors’ time, focusing on profitability, and understanding the key elements of supervision and management. It is different than other events on the list, as each event is scheduled by organizations who desire it. The speakers and information come to you.
Cost to Attend: $1,295 per attendee
What debt collection events are on your must-attend list this year?
