Court reporters, captioners, legal videographers, or owners or managers of these businesses need to know how to grow their businesses as the pandemic wanes — and they are already planning to attend the 2021 NCRA Business Summit being held in Savannah, Ga., Nov. 19-21. Don’t get left behind. Hear what your colleagues are experiencing and expecting for the future — and get ideas from outside the industry on how to thrive
World-class training
This year’s speakers focus on your business and financial goals. From keynote speaker Melanie S. Griffin, Esq., with her experience working in the legal arena, to learning about social media with Stephanie Canfield, the schedule is packed with sessions for leaders. Other sessions include retirement challenges, leveraging government resources, managing your customer service path, and increasing resilience. Also, a panel of legal professionals will share how best to market your services.
“This is the first time I’ve signed up,” says Rich Baker, an agency owner and reporter based in Atlanta, Ga. “But other people in our firm have attended previous events, so I’m really looking forward to it. They always came back with great ideas that helped our business, and we wouldn’t be where we are without the knowledge brought back from these events. Looking at the planned sessions, I’m sure the same will be true when I attend.”
Bring your problems and leave with solutions
No one understands the business quite like your peers — and you will have the chance to learn from them! NCRA Executive Director Dave Wenhold, CAE, PLC, will lead a new and innovative session, “Hot Seat” Peer-to-Peer Solution Storming. Attendees will be sorted into groups, and each person will have a chance in the “hot seat” and receive the advice of their peers. As a bonus to all participants, one person from each group will be chosen to share what was learned with the entire group.
“The Business Summit gives firm owners the opportunity to meet face-to-face to discuss the challenges facing our industry. The next five to 10 years will be a defining moment for our futures with the rapidly changing technological advancements,” says Andrea Kreutz, CLVS, owner of Huney-Vaughn Court Reporters in Des Moines, Iowa. “Coming together gives us the freedom to ensure that we support our judicial system without prejudice. Key takeaways from these sessions give firm owners the chance to pivot their thinking and procedures, enabling them to be more efficient and goal-oriented when they get back to work.”
The place to network with like-minded professionals
The Business Summit will also include ample time for attendees to reestablish old connections and make new ones. The receptions are geared to making it easy to get to know other attendees while bringing a new perspective on your own strengths and skills.
“I have attended the Business Summit for several years, but I will never forget the first one I attended,” said Angie Starbuck, RDR, CRR, CRC, owner of PRI Court Reporting based in Columbus, Ohio. “I spent several hours over lunch one day with more experienced firm owners, and I was able to learn so much from them. That was worth the price of the conference for me! While I always look at the seminars each year to see what is being offered at the Business Summit, I know the true value lies in meeting up with other firm owners and court reporters to share ideas, share frustrations, and find solutions to challenges we all face. Now that the Business Summit has expanded to include freelance court reporters, I hope they will take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about running their own court reporting business. We all have so much to learn from each other!”
In addition, Saturday afternoon is the perfect opportunity to build relationships on their own. Use the NCRA event app (available to attendees mid-November) to connect with other attendees and plan an adventure of your own. Visit 2021 NCRA Business Summit website for information on what to do, where to dine, and what to see while in town, and plan an adventure with other attendees.
Great location keeps your safety in mind
“I am looking forward to attending my first Business Summit,” says Susie Salenger Smith, RPR, an agency owner and freelancer based in Augusta, Ga. “I hear the networking opportunities are priceless, and I cannot wait to attend the sessions. Besides, who wouldn’t want to spend a nice long weekend in Savannah, Georgia?”
Be sure to take advantage of NCRA’s discounted room block rate at the Hyatt Regency Savannah so that you can be at the center of all the action. The Hyatt Regency is located directly on the beautiful Savannah River and near all shopping, dining, and entertainment in the downtown historic district. The hotel features a garden terrace, a sun deck, restaurant/bar with outdoor patio, and plenty of lobby seating.
Your safety tops the list of concerns of both the Hyatt Regency staff and NCRA, and we are taking every precaution to keep guests and staff safe.
See full schedule of events.
