Every Credit Congress hosts an Alumni and Designee Event on Saturday evening, and this year's edition offered attendees an event that could only be found in Nashville, also known as Music City USA.

Whether they were graduates of NACM's Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management (GSCFM), prospective students or just attendees with designations in town, a wide array of credit professionals gathered in one of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel's meeting rooms for a Songwriter's Showcase, which featured a live, intimate performance from two star Nashville songwriters who have written multiple chart-topping tunes for some of country music's biggest names.

The annual Alumni and Designee Event offers credit professionals of all experience levels a unique opportunity to expand their professional network of high-caliber colleagues, and draws attendees from all different industries. The event also serves as an impromptu reunion for graduates of GSCFM, who gathered at each other's tables this year to discuss their lives since graduation, both personally and professionally, over an authentic southern meal that consisted of some of the finest barbeque Tennessee had to offer.

After enjoying the food and drinks, attendees grabbed seats up close to the stage set up for the event to listen to Steve Dean and Billy Montana, a duo of award-winning songwriters who performed songs they had written that were recorded by world-famous performers like Garth Brooks, George Strait, Sara Evans and Jo Dee Messina. In between tunes, Dean and Montana discussed what life was like as professional Nashville songwriters, and took questions from attendees, joking with them and taking time after their performance to chat with attendees and sign autographs.

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), now is the time to get started. All are always welcome! Check out more information on the certification program by clicking here. Also, to learn more about GSCFM and its chart-topping educational offerings, click here.