NACM’s annual Credit Congress & Expo is renowned for its innovation, support for career advancement, relevant educational sessions and unparalleled networking opportunities. This year was no different.
Why it matters: Those who attended Credit Congress for the first time made the event extra special with their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm.
Forge Connections
“I really left my inner bubble and talked to as many people as possible,” said Justin Hinh, CICP, assistant credit manager at Stewart & Stevenson LLC (Houston, TX). “Since we’re looking for new credit bureaus and ways to mitigate fraud, I was constantly checking with my peers to see how they addressed those issues at their company.”
At Credit Congress, you can network with credit professionals from across the nation and overseas. “It is beneficial to connect with a wide network of credit professionals as it can lead to valuable relationships and mentorship,” said Saima Malik, credit analyst at Pentair Water North America (Cary, NC).
First-time attendee Ryan Steiner, corporate credit manager at Olympic Steel, Inc. (Bedford Heights, OH), met someone who lived just down the street from his home at the conference. “This just shows that Credit Congress is a great way to network and meet other credit professionals,” he said. “I’m really excited for Credit Congress & Expo 2025 to be hosted in my hometown. Cleveland is great!”
Dive into Learning
Credit Congress provides educational opportunities to build valuable skills and information through educational sessions and informative exhibitions at the Expo Hall. “I’ve applied newfound knowledge and best practices from Credit Congress sessions to improve daily work processes,” Malik said. “I’ve also leveraged my network of professionals from the conference for advice and idea-sharing.”
Educational sessions led by industry experts provide up-to-date knowledge on topics from leadership to business credit law. The session, Credit Operations and the Next Gen Credit Department, inspired Steiner to look at his department’s processes.
“Despite efficiency upgrades, much time is still spent on manual work during annual account reviews that could be automated with a bot or algorithm,” Steiner said. “My goal is to give my team the time they need to make the best decisions possible.”
Discover New Solutions
The Expo Hall is the go-to venue where credit managers can discover the latest industry trends, best practices and technologies for pragmatic solutions. “Not only have I been able to better analyze a customer’s financial situation, but I’ve been able to use those same tools in presenting our own company’s financials,” said Sasha Jones-Calvert, controller at Adams Group Inc. (Arbuckle, CA).
The Solutions Hub at the Expo Hall, offers succinct, interactive presentations and demos on credit-related topics from various exhibitors for attendees. “Credit Congress exposed me to different ideas about what credit management can be and different methods for how it can be done,” Steiner said. “It was interesting to learn how credit managers in that environment manage credit operations.”
What’s next: Are you looking to attend Credit Congress next year? Here are some tips to prepare.
#1 Plan ahead. Prepare in advance by reviewing the agenda and prioritizing events at the conference. Doing so will allow flexibility for networking and for exploring the Expo Hall. “Bring plenty of business cards and be ready to introduce yourself to new people,” Malik said.
#2 Break out. If attending with colleagues, aim to disconnect frequently to network with new people. “Come in with a go-getter attitude and force yourself in situations,” Hinh said. “Go learn, talk, take notes and have fun!”
#3 Stay engaged. Don’t hesitate to join discussions, strike up conversations or ask questions. Just because it is your first time attending Credit Congress does not mean you cannot add value. In fact, the opposite is true. “Being engaged, especially during educational sessions, will not only enhance learning but will also help connect with speakers and fellow attendees,” Malik said.
#4 Set goals. Setting goals before attending Credit Congress, whether for personal development or work-related purposes, will help focus your efforts at the event and accelerate goal achievement. “If you come into Credit Congress with a game plan to seek advice on issues your company is facing, then you can truly maximize your ROI,” said Hinh.
#5 Take breaks. Attending your first conference can be exciting, with a wealth of information, events and new faces to discover. But it can also be overwhelming if you don’t take any breaks. “Giving yourself downtime from attending sessions or events for a chance to process the information is important,” said Jones-Calvert.
The bottom line: First-timers at Credit Congress brought a fresh wave of enthusiasm and curiosity, significantly enriching the conference. Their experiences underscore the importance of continuing to welcome and support newcomers, ensuring the future of credit management remains innovative and inclusive.
