Over the course of Credit Congress, many NACM-affiliated groups and organizations hosted receptions and luncheons to allow attendees to network, congratulate a new chairperson, simply say thank you for their support or allow its members to converse about top issues of the day.

On the international side, FCIB hosted a Monday luncheon for its members, which doubled as both a networking opportunity as well as a chance to hear the always dynamic and irreverent analysis of NACM Economic Advisor Chris Kuehl, Ph.D. Kuehl focused heavily on what has become one of the dominant topics of this year's Credit Congress: the "PIIGS."

Despite bailouts and confident talk coming out of the European Union, high debt situations in European nations known as the PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain) created palpable concern among Credit Congress attendees. Kuehl noted that EU counterparts are demanding that Greece, among other nations, move into greater financial practicality with austerity plans, perhaps unrealistic ones, that are more conservative than anything even frugal Germany has done in recent years. Additionally, in several of the PIIGS nations, there's infighting between private-sector employees who are bitter that public-sector employees, which include a large number of people working political kickback jobs with little real responsibility, are fighting proposed rollbacks of lavish benefits and pay packages.

"All they're being asked to do is something unprecedented," Kuehl joked.

Meanwhile, members of NACM-Canada were brimming with confidence—at least in itself—at its Credit Congress breakfast. Canadian representatives said they believe the worst of the worldwide economic recession is long gone. Still, they need to get their firms prepared to take advantage of the rebound after a couple of years of trying to survive more than thrive. One thing that is not a concern, unlike for many domestic firms, is confidence in their banking system. One Canadian credit manager called it the "best in the world."

But even among the NACM-Canada membership, there was some worry regarding a possible domino effect of financial problems in Europe. They're just hoping the European nations won't damage global confidence, not to mention that the United States avoids a double-dip recession. Remember: more than 80% of the nation's exports end up in the United States, so a strong American economy is key to the robust recovery expected by NACM members' firms based in Canada.

This year's CFDD Awards & Installation Luncheon allowed the ever-burgeoning group of especially education-minded credit professionals to meet CFDD's newest leaders, all while reconnecting and networking with faces new and old.

The event was largely facilitated by Chairman-Elect Marlene Groh, CCE, who was installed as Chairman later in the program. Groh's theme for her year of leadership was "CFDD: Enhancing YOUR Core Values," and stressed personal growth for the organization's members, in addition to professional excellence. "Although your company may pay for the cost of your membership...CFDD is about personal improvement and enhancing our value as individuals," she said. "The number-one value received from CFDD is education and access to a vast arena where credit professionals can enhance their credit skills. Education is first an individual skill and secondly a benefit to the individual's employer."

"This skill always stays with the individual and not necessarily the employer. Remember that what you learn is yours forever and that no one can take it from you," said Groh.

Over an elegant lunch, the attendees also learned about this year's CFDD awards, including the prestigious Marilyn Daugherty Spirit Award, which this year went to Dawn Wallace Cook, CCE, and CFDD's scholarship awards, both at the chapter and national levels. CFDD's Chapters awarded 116 scholarships to grateful members in the last year, for everything from local and national conferences, to seminars and CAP/ACAP classes. CFDD Chapters and CFDD National combined awarded 184 scholarships at a total value of $58,261, bringing the cumulative total from 1990 to today to 7,074 scholarships valued at $1,521,029.

This year's Leadership Luncheon, generously sponsored by American Check Management (ACM) and United Tranz*Actions (UTA), showed NACM's gratitude for all the hard work over the last year. "We are gathering here to honor all our leaders, all of you," said NACM Chairman Phyllis Truitt, CCE. "Whether you're a volunteer or a member of the staff, each one of you inspires others to become more. All of you have touched this organization and made it better."

A special guest also addressed this year's Leadership Luncheon attendees, as former Arizona state senator and TV personality Ed Phillips applauded all those gathered at the luncheon for their unwavering commitment and dedication to NACM. "Look around the room and at what you give of yourselves, expecting nothing in return," said Phillips. "You are part of what makes this country great. It will get better because this is the United States and you are you; you are our leaders." Phillips earlier that day had also delivered an educational session to a rapt group of attendees and his appearance was generously sponsored by ACM.

Attendees at the luncheon enjoyed a chance to reunite with old friends and make new colleagues as they dined on an especially sumptuous and elegant meal. ACM, and now UTA, President Dean Middleton also got the chance to offer his own personal thanks to the group, while further reiterating his company's commitment to NACM and its mission. "This is a sponsorship I'll continue to hold until it's taken from me," he said. "You guys are in here because you're the above and beyond. You're contributing in so many different ways. We benefit because of the incredible things you do and I'm so grateful to all of you."