Love is in the air, and everywhere you looked around Philadelphia, PA this week, you sensed it, felt it and experienced it at the TMA Annual.
In a conference experience that had something for everyone, we showed the world the best of who we are and the actionable optionality that is at the heart of why membership in TMA matters, and shared a love of our great organization for the professional and personal relationships so many have built through TMA.
It started with miles of smiles at the Reading Terminal Market, where we brought together TMA members from near and far at the welcome reception co-hosted by the TMA Philadelphia-Wilmington chapter. There we had a warm and wonderful kickoff to a week of celebration looking back on the accomplishments of the year past while setting the table for the year ahead.
Of the many highlights of the week, the inaugural TMA Tourney came to a momentous conclusion when Team UK and Team West Michigan faced off in a fierce competition that showcased the great skill and intellect of these two teams in front of a live audience and judges Colombia University Business School Professor Kathryn Harrigan, Brian Gleason, CTP and Rob Katz , CTP.
A hearty congratulations to Team UK, team members Sam Duberley, Deniz Gunes, Christopher Poel and Saachin Thakrar, named winners of this inaugural case competition. And making the moment all the sweeter for Team UK, was having chapter president Joanne Rumley in the gallery cheering her NextGen competitors on.
A great showing by Team West Michigan and team members Stephanie Voogt, Ryan Seely and Jacob Carlton for their excellent effort in this hard fought competition as well.
As the week picked up speed, and the TMA action got rolling, many highlights emerged, assuring a week of learning, connectivity, camaraderie and just a grand ol’ good time.
The ever popular Network of Women Luncheon, in concert with IWI did not disappoint with keynote Laura Katen, a leading expert in Business Communication, empowering the room and electrifying those in attendance with advices to increase self-awareness around communications habits that either support or unconsciously undermine one’s success.
Former TMA Global Chair Matthew English, CTP, along with TMA Global leaders Rachael Mauceri and Michael Rosow, launched the latest bootcamp tract focused on Chapter 11.
In an other TMA first this year, we offered an exclusive opportunity to engage with the most influential Certified Turnaround Professionals at the Mimosas with Mentors program.
A sunrise morning run on the trail of Rocky Balboa through the scenic streets of Philadelphia, kicked off the main conference day with a bonding experience that was festive, connected and fun.
The plenary international panel, Fiduciary Duties and Forum Shopping Considerations-Navigating the Global Restructuring landscape moderated by Katerina Earl, featured participants from Brazil, Mexico and the UK, including TMA Brazil Chapter President Fabiano Saragiatto, TMA Europe leader Anna Nolan, and Alverez and Marsal Mexico Senior Director Jorge Leon Lince.
A personal highlight for me was the TMA Love Live program, featuring some of our most engaged and committed members telling their stories of TMA Love and how their dedication to TMA has had a profound impact on their professional lives.
It was heartwarming indeed to hear firsthand how membership has and will continues to matters as told by Liz Aboulafia, Pauline Chow, Tyrone Courtman, Adam Duso, Alex Holland, and Joe Richman.
We celebrated the life of former TMA Global Chair and storied bankruptcy Judge Kevin Carey in a moving tribute offered by former TMA Global Chair Scott Victor, with the participation of former chairs Mark Indelicato, Jeffrey Hampton, Tom Kim, Derek Meek and Matthew English, CTP along with Global President Allen Wilen, Chair Jane Mitnick and President Elect Rachael Smiley.
And in another TMA first, Bruce Smith announced the launch of the Sheila Smith Institute, in honor of the luminary she was, as our next great initiative, a TMA supported mentorship and educational program in Sheila’s honor.
Our members were delighted with the spectacular presentation by CNN commentator Michael Smerconish, and we celebrated our Turnaround and Transaction as well as our chapter and individual award recipients.
We saluted Jeffery Hampton, recipient of this year’s chair’s award, and we shared a fond farewell to Chair Janey Mitnick as her leadership reign comes to an end.
A DE&I Speakeasy featuring a shared exchange with Judges Lisa Beckerman and Elizabeth Gunn, rounded out one of many firsts at this Annual, and at the speakeasy we together celebrated our first Journal of Corporate Renewal Journal, ladies by guest editor Lauren Berret.
It has surely been a week of TMA magic, as we shared the love and we built memories that show why membership matters, how we support each other in our professional journeys and celebrate the friendships and relationships that make us better together and TMA Proud.
As always, thanks for taking the time to listen today. And thanks again to our TMA CEO Speaks exclusive sponsor, Second Wind Consultants, for your support of TMA and this podcast.
As TMA Lights The Way, your input is critical, your contributions paramount, and your engagement the foundation that will create a better TMA for all of our members.