A traditional Polynesian dance group kicked off Credit Congress with a bang this year, as they opened the 2009 General Session with an explosive tribal dance performance, complete with howls and hula skirts. “On behalf of the National Board and the National Staff, I would like to welcome all of you to the 113th Credit Congress—the annual, national gathering of credit professionals,” said NACM Chairman Dave Beckel, CCE as he opened the morning’s proceedings. “For the next three days, we share the same goal: sharpen our knowledge about commercial credit—the engine that fuels today’s business economy—so that we can continue to bring, and add, value to our companies.”

This year’s General Session served as both the official start of the 2009 Credit Congress and the first opportunity for attendees to meet one of NACM’s newest additions to its arsenal of experts, Chris Kuehl, Ph.D., NACM’s economic advisor and managing director of Armada Corporate Intelligence. Due to an increased interest in NACM’s Credit Managers’ Index (CMI), Kuehl now analyzes the CMI and responds to all media inquiries on NACM’s behalf. “In the beginning of 2008, the CMI began to show signs of economic weakness. While the rest of the economy was still perking along and a lot of economists were saying ‘we’re fine,’ the CMI kept saying ‘not so fast,’ and sure enough, about two months later, the rest of the economy caught up with our index,” said Kuehl. “I was asked to urge you to participate and I can’t urge this enough. This tool is incredibly powerful. This is literally one of the most accurate, leading indicators I have ever seen on the economy and it’s all up to you because you’re in the trenches.”

Beckel then welcomed Stan DeGroot, CCE, chairman of the honors & awards committee, to the stage to present awards to this year’s best and brightest in the B2B credit world. DeGroot himself was honored with the Alice M.H. McGregor Award, which recognized his service and dedication to his company, his affiliate, the national organization and the business credit profession.

The awards segment of the General Session was followed by an illuminating presentation by John Izzo, Ph.D., author of Awakening Corporate Soul and The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die, both of which are available through the NACM Bookstore. Izzo imparted knowledge on how to stay happy and vital in life, urging attendees not to be consumed with worry but to focus on what they can do, today, to make their lives better. “Your worry about losing your job will not make you not lose your job. It will not rob tomorrow of its sorrow, but it will rob today of its joy,” he said. “One of the things we know about people who stay happy in their lives is that they’re always learning. If you want to stay vital in your life, be focused on what you can give and be focused on what you can learn.”