The 2016 NCRA Firm Owners Executive Conference, held April 17-19 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, brought together more than 140 firm owners seeking networking opportunities and insights to the latest business trends.
Highlighting the schedule at this year’s event were two keynote speakers who each led two-part sessions. The first keynote speaker, Jane Southren, a former commercial litigator turned coach and collaborator from Toronto, Ontario, shared insights with attendees about recognizing and cultivating necessary relationships to fuel business successes. She also addressed the differences between transactional relationships versus loyal relationships, how to identify them, and how to build more loyal relationships.
The second keynote presenter, Ann Gomez, a productivity consultant and founder of Clear Concept Inc., Toronto, Ontario, addressed how business owners can improve time management by controlling chaos in their lives, planning priorities, and understanding how to own their time. She also introduced attendees to the key work habits needed to thrive in today’s busy environment and enable achieving more with less effort.
Connecting with old friends and meeting new ones, all while learning new and exciting approaches to business practices, are the major benefits of attending the NCRA Firm Owners Executive Conference, according to Kathy May, RPR, owner of Alpha Reporting, which has offices in Memphis, Nashville, and Jackson, Tenn., as well as Tupelo, Miss.
“I have attended every Firm Owners Executive Conference since its inception. With each conference I am able to walk away with a new idea, a new opportunity, and above all a fresh approach,” notes May, whose firm provides services nationwide.
Other sessions on the schedule included a panel discussion about the findings of NCRA’s latest State of the Industry Survey report, led by NCRA President Steve Zinone, RPR; Kim Neeson, RPR, CRR, CRC, Chair of the Association’s Firm Owners Committee; and Mike Nelson, CAE, CEO and Executive Director of NCRA, as well as a two-part session led by Jeanne Leonard, CAE, NCRA’s Senior Director of Marketing, Membership & Communications, about market trends. The event also included a number of receptions that provided networking opportunities to attendees.
“In order to grow your business, being a part of something that is bigger than you, while at the same time the same as you, puts you on a path of growth and, with growth, success,” said May. “The reporters and firm owners attending the conference share something bigger, something the same, and they all walk away with renewed potential for growth and success.”
The National Court Reporters Foundation also recognized five new 2016 Angel donors, who pledged during the Firm Owners Executive Conference:
- Michael A. Bouley, RDR, Bouley & Schippers, Tucson, Ariz.
- Gail Inghram Verbano, RDR, CRR, Boothwyn, Pa.
- Guy J. Renzi & Associates, Hamilton Township, N.J.
- YesLaw, Santa Clara, Calif.
- Visual Discovery, Inc., Chula Vista, Calif.
Funds raised through the Angels Program support NCRF’s initiatives, including scholarships and grants, the Oral Histories Program, and the Legal Education Program.
The 2017 NCRA Firm Owners Executive Conference is scheduled for next spring at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz.
See photos from the 2016 NCRA Firm Owners Executive Conference here.
