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NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Nate Thompson, Public Relations Specialist

(952) 928-8000, ext. 714, or thompson@acainternational.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Commercial Collectors Set Sail for 37th Annual IACC Convention

(MINNEAPOLIS, November 19, 2007) The outlook is bright for those in commercial collections, and Jan. 17-19, 2008, the brightest professionals in the industry will be enjoying the 37th Annual Convention of the International Association of Commercial Collectors (IACC), at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort and Spa in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Every year since 1971 industry leaders have gathered for the commercial sector’s premier event to share ideas that improve their businesses. The convention is known for its relaxing social events, business-building network opportunities and the openness in which participants share insights on industry success.  

This year’s agenda features a dinner theatre event at one of Ft. Lauderdale’s most entertaining venues and an optional golf outing at The Club at Emerald Hills. The information-packed schedule of sessions includes:

• Who’s Driving You Out of Your Mind?
  Based on the “Warren” Principles for Interpersonal Success. Dramatically improve your ability to communicate in difficult situations and with difficult people. Keith Lowry, president and CEO of Keith Lowry Seminars Inc., will give you tools to help you get the results you need in any situation. 
   
• Benchmarking: Evaluating How Your Agency is Doing
  How do you define company success? Do you focus internally, measuring progress toward internal goals and comparing each year’s financial outcome with the previous year? Or do you look outwardly to compare your company against your peers? Participants will share ideas for measuring success. Attendees will be asked to submit benchmarking information which will be masked and shared with the entire group.
   
• Technology to Make Your Business Better
  Practically every day you hear about a new electronic gadget that promises to make your business run faster, smoother, more profitably. Some may be the real deal, some may be marketing hype. Only one thing is definite—you need to stay on top of technology trends to compete in today’s fast-paced electrified world. This session will focus on the latest technology revolutionizing the collection industry with Chris Hodges, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Noble Systems Corp., Atlanta.
   
• Legal Obstacles of Debt Collection Claims in Canada and Latin America
  A debt is a debt no matter where you are in the world. But the process of collecting it may vary dramatically from country to country. For example, are personal guarantees of corporate debts recognized in Canada? Are there special requirements for taking proceedings in Latin America? Find these answers and more, from David Franklin, author of the new book, “International Commercial Debt Collection.”
   
• Finding and Keeping Stellar Employees—Secrets to Recruiting and Training
  In an industry known for high employee turnover, recruitment and training is always a topic of utmost concern. Presenter Mike Daugherty, vice president of Synter Resource Group LLC, Charleston, S.C., will focus on both traditional and non-traditional methods of attracting applicants and giving new hires the solid foundation of training, skills and knowledge they need to succeed and turn the collection “job” into a “career.”
   
• Personality Profiling: Finding Employees to Fit Your Company
  On paper they look great. They interview flawlessly. You hire them with great enthusiasm. But from day one on the job they just don’t seem to “fit” in the corporate culture or perform the way their credentials indicate they should. L.D. Moran, president of Achievement Tec, Dallas, will look at the use of personality profiling to determine whether candidates are the right hire for your company.
   
• Brush Up on the Basics
  When speaking to commercial debtors it is vitally important to know what to say and do from the first contact. Sometimes we forget the basics and make the interaction more difficult than it needs to be. In his session, Steve Harms, partner at Muller, Muller, Richmond, Harms, Myers & Sgroi P.C., Birmingham, Mich., will answer questions like: What should I ask the debtor in my initial call? What should I not say to a commercial debtor? How do I find out who is liable? Harms will answer these questions and more through live mock collection scenarios with attendees.

Registrations received by Dec. 3, 2007 will qualify for discounted fees of $409 for IACC members and $609 for nonmembers. After Dec. 3 registration fees are $484 for members and $721 for nonmembers. To download the registration form online, visit the IACC Web site at http://www.commercialcollector.com/ScriptContent/Calendar_of_Events.cfm.

Please note hotel reservations should be made early. Space is limited and room availability is not guaranteed through the conference registration deadline. To receive the group rate, be sure to mention you are with the “International Association of Commercial Collectors” when contacting the hotel.

With 238 collection agency members and 164 attorney and associate members, The International Association of Commercial Collectors Inc. (IACC) is the world’s largest international trade association for commercial debt collection professionals. Headquartered in Minneapolis, IACC serves members throughout the United States and in 24 other countries worldwide. Members of IACC recover millions of dollars annually for their clients and provide valuable assistance to credit departments in controlling mounting debts. To learn more, visit the IACC Web site at http://www.commercialcollector.com.

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