LAS VEGAS — While there is just about every reason for the accounts receivable management industry to look at the glass as half-empty, nearly all of the large list of attendees at Receivables Management Association International’s 25th Annual Conference is choosing to look at the glass as half-full, thankful for the opportunities that are still there to be pursued and grateful for having weathered a tempestuous 2021.
While there are always concerns on the radar as well as on the horizon, the ability for companies to persevere through The Great Resignation, through lower account placement volumes, through lower income tax refunds, and to through the initial weeks following the enactment of Regulation F have many of the attendees hopeful that less stressful days are in the not-too-distant future.
Back in February after a brief sojourn to April last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, RMAI’s Annual Conference serves as the industry’s kick-off, and there were hugs and handshakes — with plenty of masks and hand sanitizer — shared by colleagues and peers thrilled to be out from their home offices.
There were a lot of familiar faces walking through Aria’s hallways yesterday, but there were also many newcomers to the event, here for the first time or for the first time in several years. Those included international debt buyers, collection agencies and law firms seeking to win business, and creditors who have new portfolios of defaulted debts they are looking to liquidate.
Attendance at yesterday’s sessions and cocktail reception were indicative of a group committed to staying on top of trends and issues impacting the industry while also taking advantage of the opportunity to learn what new ideas, products, and services are out there to help them be more efficient and productive.
The renewed sense of optimism and excitement that was heard throughout the event yesterday is indicative of an industry that understands everything it has weathered in the past two years has helped it become more adaptive and resilient and excited for what the future has to bring.
