Commercial Collection Forecast: Bright Skies Ahead at 36th Annual IACC Convention

The outlook is bright for those in commercial collections, and January 18-20, 2007 the brightest professionals in the industry will be enjoying the 36th Annual Convention of the International Association of Commercial Collectors (IACC), at the Harbor Beach Marriott Hotel 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.

?If you are currently handling commercial collections or thinking about expanding your business plan to include commercial claims, you cannot afford to miss the IACC?s annual meeting,? said IACC President David Ward. ?This year?s meeting will be our first ever held at the Harbor Beach property, and I promise this full service resort will impress you. I visited this crown jewel of the Marriott chain before we signed the contracts for this event; I believe that this may very well be the finest resort we have ever contracted in Florida,? Ward said. ?So come to Fort Lauderdale, the answers to your questions will be there for the asking. All that and warm beaches in January, talk about a win-win situation!?

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:

• Quality Assurance Many commercial collection professionals have been to sessions focused on finding new business, but what about maintaining positive relationships with existing clients? In this session, Tina Hanson from State Collection Service Inc., Madison Wis., will provide existing client ?sales and marketing? tips for healthy agency-client communication and a working relationship that will be profitable for both parties.

• Across the Globe: An International Examination Always a highly anticipated session at the IACC Convention, the international update will give attendees the opportunity to learn about overseas trends and international news, and to identify important differences between domestic and international markets.

• ?I Don?t Owe the Money Because?? Debtor Defenses to Paying the Account All commercial collectors have experienced extraordinary levels of debtor creativity when it comes to why the money in question should not be collected. This session will be a practical discussion concerning debtors? justification for not paying debts and will also include information about gathering supporting documents to counter these arguments.

• Exploring the World of Commercial Debt Buying Commercial debt buying is a rapidly growing market, and now is the time to explore the arena. With their many years of experience, Neil Brodsky and Stacey Schacter of EMCC in Pembroke, Mass., will provide information you need to break into the market. If you are already in the commercial debt buying field this session will allow you to evaluate your strategies to become as productive as possible.

• Emerging Industry Technologies Keeping up with your commercial collection competitors is key in this industry. A leading factor in your agencies success is maintaining the most up-to-date technology on the market. This session will identify the newest and most efficient technologies available to enhance productivity and increase profitability.

Registrations received by Dec. 4, 2006 will qualify for discounted fees of $399 for IACC members and $599 for nonmembers. After December 4 registration fees are $474 for members and $711 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.