PR - ARM Industry Raises over $200,000 for Children's Hospitals at DCS

Debt Connection Symposium & Expo 2007, presented by Dennis and Judy Hammond, was held September 5 – 7, 2007, at the New York Marriott Marquis. The event was an overwhelming success, with over one thousand attendees, many program innovations, and a charity fundraiser that generated much-needed funds for two children’s hospitals.

The conference featured a black tie tribute awards gala and charity auction, hosted by TV star Jim Belushi. The tribute awards provided creditors the opportunity to honor their top-performing vendors.  At the ceremony, Arrow Financial Services, LLC gave the "Outstanding and Top Agency Performance" award to Collect America, Ltd.; Bank of America presented Creditors Interchange with the "Agency of the Year 2007" award; Capital One honored United Recovery Systems LP as "Agency of the Year 2007"; DFS Services, LLC honored Focus Receivables Management, LLC as "Top Agency Performer 2007"; Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation bestowed the "Primary Agency of the Year" award to GC Services; Chase Auto Finance presented American Coradius International, LLC with “Top Agency Performer 2007” award; and Sterling Jewelers, Inc. honored Central Portfolio Control, Inc. with the "Outstanding Agency Performance" award.

The benefit featured a live and silent auction which raised over $200,000 so far for Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Donations are still being received and counted.  At the conclusion of the evening, Dennis and Judy Hammond announced that they have chosen San Diego as the site of next years Debt Connection Symposium & Expo 2008, to be held in early September.

The second-annual conference also featured many program innovations, including speed networking in a "New York Minute," industry "Great Debates," and on-site vendor management meetings. The conference program kicked off with a keynote address from motivational speaker Michael Hoffman, who energized the crowd with "Your Business is Show Business."

The Great Debates were a series of lively discussions on timely topics.  Industry professionals squared off on such subjects as: "Should You Make Love Or War? Appropriate Responses to FDCPA Suits," "Using Attorney Networks: Pro or Con," "Onshore/NearShore and International Collections," and "Bankrupt Accounts: Place or Sell."

Key to the Debt Connection format, creditors and debt buyers held a series of private "Featured Company" vendor management meetings throughout the conference. These meeting allowed each Featured Company to meet with current or prospective vendors as a group and facilitated a consistent exchange of information and ideas regarding processes and projects. These meetings also provided an opportunity to recognize success within a Featured Company’s group of vendors.