A legion of credit and collection professionals will assemble March 13 – 15 at the ACA International Spring Forum & Expo in Las Vegas. Located at the M Resort Hotel, the trade event brings together industry insiders, clinicians, executives and vendors from around the world. The programming includes two-plus days of seminar sessions, an optional full-day workshop on PPMS certification, social events, a keynote address and a tradeshow.
The educational component of the Spring Forum is branded under the name “Campus ACA Academy.” This is one-stop shopping for credentialing, Credit and Collection Compliance Officer (CCCO) advanced training, attorney professional development, industry solutions and peer-group networking.
Campus ACA Academy features the two new designations unveiled at Spring Forum 2018: Professional Collection Management (PCM) and Collection Industry Professional (CIP).
Tuesday, March 12
ACA’s one-day workshop on Professional Practices Management System (PPMS) certification will help collection professionals reduce mistakes and improve daily operations.
ACA International says this workshop provides the foundation for developing, implementing and adhering to professional practices and policies, and represents the first step in PPMS certification.
Wednesday, March 13
This first day of general programming includes seven seminar sessions followed by an insightful keynote and an evening social. Summaries of each session follow.
Understanding and Responding to BCFP Expectations — Elizabeth Conklin presents the compliance priorities of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection as described in its Supervision and Examination Manual.
Vendors and Your Compliance Management — This session by Leslie Bender Esq. and Debra Ciskey creates a foundation for reviewing vendor management programs and updating them to meet important compliance objectives.
Vetting Technology Vendors 10 Essential Steps — This topic will help collection professionals:
- Assess the potential risks of their vendor’s technology.
- Develop pre-purchase and ongoing due diligence evaluation strategies.
- Create and maintain an inventory of third-party technology vendors.
- Incorporate risk management, controls, and monitoring/audit activities for tech vendors into compliance management systems (CMS).
Ethical and Professional Collections — Harry Strausser III reviews the basic principles of business ethics and applying them to the collection industry.
Building High Performing Teams (Part 1) — This session offers ideas and activities to help management recognize personalities and work styles, cultivate trust, negotiate conflicts, leverage team strengths, and celebrate success.
Keep Calm and Prevent UDAAP — This course reviews the federal guidelines for Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAP) and shows how to develop a UDAAP risk management plan that includes business and shared compliance obligations with clients and service providers.
Data Security and Privacy I (Part 1) — The final session of the day discusses notification laws and strategies for creating effective policies and procedures, implementing essential safeguards, and practical considerations for notifying consumers in the event of a data security breach.
The day concludes with a keynote address and opening reception in the exhibit hall.
Applying Emotional Intelligence for Career Success
This interactive keynote session by Kit Welchin will cover the essential components of applying emotional intelligence to the workplace. Credit and collection professionals will learn how to:
- Understand emotions and respond professionally.
- Incorporate perception checking and keep conversations civil.
- Motivate themselves and others.
- Build a supportive communication climate.
Thursday, March 14
The second full day of general programming covers issues affecting collection professionals, and in 
particular, those concerning legal teams. Most sessions fulfill the requirements of ACA International certifications such as Credit and Collection Compliance Officer (CCCO) and Credit and Collection Compliance Professional (CCCP).
Data Security & Privacy I (Part 2) — This topic introduces attendees to notification laws and offers strategies for establishing effective policies and procedures, implementing safeguards, and notifying consumers in the event of a data security breach.
Effective Performance Management — Credit and collection professionals will learn how to effectively coach and manage their employees to achieve successful business results while creating and maintaining a positive work environment.
Credit and Collection Compliance Attorney Workshop — Presenters Leslie Bender Esq. and Debra Ciskey will conduct a series of six separate sessions (over two days) covering credit and collection compliance for attorneys.
The advanced compliance topics will address:
- Making compliance artifacts accessible and communicating them to collectors and management.
- Designing evaluation and monitoring programs that weave compliance objectives through a feedback loop.
- Conducting effective internal investigations related to incidents and or complaints.
- Integrating change and project management as compliance management systems mature.
Conducting a Risk Assessment — This session discusses the methods, models and tools to help collection professionals recognize and prioritize the risks associated with compliance.
Exceptional Leadership — Attendees will learn how to develop the tenets of leadership and categorize leadership styles. The session encourages self-reflection on former leadership roles and offers solutions to help optimize time, prioritize responsibilities, and handle conflict.
Controls and Corrective Actions — This session elaborates the strategies discussed in the “Conducting a Risk Assessment” class. It also explores control priorities defined by the BCFP and how to gauge the effectiveness of controls.
Successful Hiring Strategies — This scenario-based training demonstrates how to develop interview questions and use an interview scorecard for taking notes on three candidates.
Duties of Data Furnishers Under the FCRA — Take a deep dive into the requirements of the FCRA and Regulation V. Takeaways include the assessment, evaluation, and updating of compliance processes surrounding credit reporting and disputes.
Friday, March 15
Advanced FDCPA Issues — Kelly Knepper-Stephens explores compliance with the FDCPA at a technical level as well as issues trending in consumer lawsuits and regulatory enforcement.
Managing the Collection Floor (Parts 1 and 2) — These separate interactive forums share what other agencies are doing to improve collection floor operations.
Writing Effective Policies and Procedures — Presenter Kelly Knepper-Stephens will help credit and collection professionals practice writing with defined guidelines. Attendees will leave with tools and samples for jump-starting this compliance component.
Collection Professionals at Optio Solutions
Optio Solutions was established on a framework of experience in financial services, compliance, certification, data security and collections technology. In particular, the agency maintains PPMS certification (one of only 51 firms worldwide) and has staff members with CCCO and CCCP designations.
Contact us today to learn how an individualized debt collection strategy can help your organization develop a favorable return on investment, brand protection and customer retention.
