Graduates and non-graduates alike gathered Saturday night for the Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management (GSCFM) Alumni and Designee Event, hosted by GSCFM alumni and NACM professional designation holders, and held at B.B. King’s Blues Club in Pointe Orlando, one of the city’s richest collections of shops, restaurants, arts and nightlife. Attendees filled the reserved balcony, lounged in the club’s VIP accommodations and dined on a fitting buffet of traditional southern comfort foods and barbecue; a meal of which even Mississippi-born B.B. King would approve. Portraits of other famous blues artists hung on the walls, with the ghosts of guitar greats like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan almost presiding over the festivities and lending an added bit of authenticity to the live blues band that played throughout this year’s event, running through a set of old standards and newer favorites that left no one disappointed.

In addition to representing the highest level in B2B credit education, GSCFM also functions as a unique and worthwhile networking opportunity for its participants, with graduates frequently forging lifelong connections and professional friendships that are anything but short-lived, and this year’s alumni event reflected the program’s reputation. Alumni gathered over drinks to catch up and trade stories about how things had gone in the past year, both personally and professionally. GSCFM grads and non-grads alike introduced themselves and mingled with one another and many new faces mixed in with the dedicated regulars, giving the event an even more welcoming feel.

NACM board members and affiliate leadership also had the chance to reunite and converse with attendees in a charmingly relaxed and fun capacity. Overall, the event was an unqualified success with good food, good friends and a unique setting with a soundtrack that was loud enough to feel real but not loud enough to stifle the conversations and worthy networking opportunities that this event offers every year.

All NACM designation holders are encouraged to attend this annual event and if you don’t yet hold an NACM designation (CBA, CBF or CCE), this is a perfect opportunity to get started! Check out more information on the certification program by clicking here. Also, to find out how GSCFM can help cure your career blues, click here.