Happy Saturday and welcome to CEO Speaks for Saturday February 10, 2024, sponsored exclusively by Second Wind Consultants, specializing in article 9, out of court, transactional restructurings.
Today, I come to you live from the 2024 TMA Distressed Investing Conference, where with record breaking attendance of over 1,000 members we showed the world how TMA Lights The Way with some of the most eclectic mix of programming, networking, and deal making opportunities we have ever had.
Social media bristled with our presence with our own President-elect Rachael Smiley, becoming a LinkedIn influencer after receiving over 10,000 impressions of her post at the conference’s opening.
Our keynote speaker, Molly McPherson, captivated a room with over 500 participants in her lunchtime talk on crisis communication, cancel culture and the power and influence of social media in an era of rapid fire messaging and a polarizing political climate.
We boasted international participation that included TMA members and member prospects from Australia, Bermuda, India, Germany, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and UK too.
This year’s chair’s reception was electrified by the presence of current TMA Global Chair Jane Mitnick, TMA past chairs including David Cohen, Milly Chow, Matthew English, Holly Etlin, Jeffrey Hampton, Mark Indelicato, Kevin Krakora and William Skelly.
The TMA bootcamp, more popular than ever before, was again a sold out event, and included a record number of international participants too. With the finance and management portions of the program taught by Matthew English, CTP and Frank Turner, CTP, and the legal portion taught by Monique DiSabatino and Rachel Mauceri, complimented by Delaware bankruptcy judge Tom Horan, in his first TMA Bootcamp appearance, we again raised the bar on practical skills excellence.
The women of TMA NOW, lead by Rakhee Patel and Michelle Salazar-Rosenbloom, and the NOW committee, hosted a sold out luncheon 150 NOW members and allies strong, in what was an afternoon of absolute networking delight, kicked off by TMA Jeopardy! and followed by a mix and mingle luncheon where many connections were reinforced and many others ignited and made.
VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Janine Figueiredo premiered the TMA DE&I playbook at the first TMA DE&I Speakeasy, attended by nearly 100 participants where members and leaders from around the world, shared their thoughts and ideas in a relaxed setting that was as organic and authentic as the mission we have embarked on to create a more inclusive profession accessible to all.
The joint TMA/SF Net Opening reception IGNITED the night with networking sparks that burned bright, and connections made that define connectivity, business opportunities and just good ol TMA commradarie that defines the familial flow of our welcoming organization.
First time attendees had the chance to mix it up with our international members and NextGen participants at a reception that brought this multifarious group together in a new way to meet and make connections too. The education session from Mega Trends at the start to Near Shoring and Offshoring to close the day with multiple deal making and industry relevant content in between, brought the real and relevant to life in sessions overflowing with eager minds wanting to experience the intellect of industry experts and luminaries.
The conference Capital Forum and Networking Reception, this year with a record 50 lenders on display, connected the deal money with the deal makers in a grand way too close the conference day. This Super Bowl of conference experiences once again surpassed expectations and ignited nearly a week of TMA grandeur that is the essence of TMA opportunity. The table has been set and the year ahead ignited with opportunity because of the great effort of our volunteer leaders who worked to build the most defining deal making experience we have ever had.
Year over year we raise the bar and set the standards of TMA excellence higher, with this year being no exception for what it means to be better together and TMA Proud. From 2024 TMA Global President Allen Wilen, to the 2024 DIC Committee co-chaired by Carollynn Callari, Alicia Den Beste and Kevin Clancy who along with a committee who TMA members who brought to life programs that spoke to what will drive the restructuring world this year, you were all the sparks that took member value to a new level in this week of experiential opportunity.
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.
Until next time, I’m Scott Stuart. Be safe, resilient and TMA Proud.