2023 August Forum & EXPO Agenda

Deduction Management Best Practices Discussion Session

Presented by CRF

Join this lively and detailed roundtable conversation with your peers experiencing similar deductions, short payments and chargeback issues in Accounts Receivable Management.

Topics we will address include but are not limited to:

• Deduction identification
• Deduction resolution process
• Best practices in interacting with portals
• Organizational structure, areas of responsibility
• Communicating with Cross Functional teams
• Systems used, ERP, third-party bolt-on solutions or internal resources

Cash Conversion Cycle and Cash Flow Forecasting Course

Presented by Steven c. Isberg, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow, Credit Research Foundation

This course will cover the following:

• What is cash conversion cycle?
• How to create a model to forecast cashflow from AR using DSO
• The use of variances, how to identify and integrate into the forecasting process
• An illustrative example (case study) of how to create the framework and continuously refine the forecasting accuracy

SAP Best Practices Discussion Session

Presented by CRF

This is an interactive peer-to-peer informal discussion session that encourages participants to ask questions, share lessons learned, discuss internal and external resources and address process wins and issues remaining. Find out what your colleagues are experiencing.

The following topics will be discussed:

• Implementation & Migration to S4/Hana
• Bolt-on solutions that are working or NOT working
• What SAP modules participants are currently using
• IT resource concerns
• External consultants
• And more!

EXPO & Lunch

The exhibit hall will officially open at noon. Join us to network with some of the top service providers in the industry, as well as your peers, and fuel up with lunch before the Forum sessions begin!

Welcome/Opening Comments

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence: Separating the Hype from Reality in A/R

Presented by Greg Hanson, Chief Product Officer, Billtrust

Machine learning and AI have been in the A/R toolbox for some time, but with advances coming rapidly and dire predictions being made for a dystopian future, it’s time to step back and evaluate how and to what extent AI will transform A/R teams. In this session, you’ll discover:

• What AI is and what it’s not.
• How AR automation providers are deploying AI.
• What to look for in the next 3-5 years.

New Methods for Proactive High-Risk Account Monitoring

Presented by Taylor Ricketts, RetailStat (previously F&D Reports/Creditntell/ARMS)

This session will take you through NEW thoughts and ideas on how to enhance your proactive risk assessment strategy. It will include the following:

• Quantitative and qualitative evaluation/correlation of fuzzy data
• Creative ways to assess current quarter business activities
• Define new ways to gauge risk prior to financial report availability
• Illustration of a high-risk account

EXPO & Reception

Join us for a reception in the exhibit hall – grab a drink and some appetizers as you take another spin around the EXPO and discuss your needs with the industry’s top service providers!

Breakfast

Fuel up with coffee and breakfast before heading into the morning sessions! This is also a great opportunity to chat and network with other attendees.

Opening Comments

Opening comments and reminders from the Board Chairperson and CRF team.

How Technology is Changing the Way We Manage Deductions

Presented by Shyarsh Desai, Chief Executive Officer, Carixa

Overcoming the challenges in automating invoice disputes, claims and deductions processes, is driving organizations to evaluate the best approaches to executing this transition on their ERPs or with other software partners. Critical to the success of these programs is knowing what your options are with technology and instituting well tested project design and implementation methods. In this session, we will spotlight case studies of how our clients set goals and executed this transformation with some key lessons along the way.

Strategic Transition to “The New Age of the 5 Cs”

Presented by Chris Rios, Dun & Bradstreet

History repeats itself but needs to be modified for the current economic landscape.
This session identifies the modifications needed to effectively identify risk in today’s environment including:

• Incorporating new data sources
• Identifying digital risk trends
• Implementing updated risk tools

 Break

Review of International Credit Risk Assessment

Presented by Kyle Matthies, Director of Product Management, Experian

In this session we will explore the differences between assessing international vs. domestic customers. We will share some factors that need to be assessed to appropriately identify high risk customers. This session will cover:

• How to calibrate and readdress international responsibilities, as more businesses consolidate domestic and international responsibilities
• Industry best practices – International comes with new rules and regulations country by country
• Data matters – how to verify international customers through the legal landscape

How Innovation Drives Productivity

Presented by Elaine Nowak, Senior Director of Product Marketing, and Nick Ezzo, VP Strategic Accounts & Market Development, Auditoria.AI

In this session, we will discuss

• Why AR represents one of the highest value functions for automation
• How enabling tools can augment driving efficiency within the AR space
• The future of finance and what transformational initiatives will drive innovation

Lunch

Join us for a delicious lunch! A well-deserved break and an opportunity to network with attendees while you fuel up for the afternoon sessions!

Delivering Cash Flow in a Struggling Economy

Presented by Keith Cowart, Global Market Owner – Receivables, FIS

During weak or struggling economic times, the inadequacies of poor processes are laid to bare. To make matters worse, we are asked to deliver more with less resources when revenue begins to decline. There are ways to proactively setup your team to thrive during good and bad economic times. During this session, we will review best practices including leveraging automation, tips for risk mitigation, cash flow forecasting, and offering self-service options to your clients. Implementing these best practices now will help you weather the current storm and protect you from any future storm.

Best Practices Managing Third-Party Relationships

Panel Discussion Moderated by Annette Waggoner, Commercial Collection Agencies of America, and Mike Bevilacqua, Credit Research Foundation

This session will feature a panel comprised of Subject Matter Experts in Third-Party Agencies who will share their experience on:

• Maximizing results working with a third-party partner
• Best practices on when and how best to engage with a partner
• Assessing results

The panel will consist of representatives from the following organizations:

Break

Grab some coffee, tea, water or soda and a TREAT…chat with attendees…then return refreshed for the final sessions!

Journey Toward an Electronic Credit Application

       
Presented by Chris Arrington, SVP/Chief Credit Officer, SRS Distribution; Dominic Biegel, Director of Sales, Bectran; Ali Kidwai, Enterprise Solutions, Bectran

In this session, you will learn how to fully automate your customer onboarding process. Get ready to discuss:

• How to adopt a fully automated online credit applications system
• How instant credit approvals can be triggered using robotic process automation with a suite of fraud prevention techniques
• A real-life example of a multi-billion dollar company’s journey to instantly approving 50%+ of their new credit requests

Sharpening Influence and Leadership Skills to Deliver a High Impact

Executive Leadership Roundtable (Interactive Workshop)

Presented by CRF

This is an interactive workshop where you will participate in small group discussions with your peers to share insights, experiences and learnings with each other.

This session will explore how to become an influential leader, not only in your department, but throughout your entire organization. We will explore:

• Communicating successfully to influence sales and senior management
• How to become a champion for technology enhancements and for your team members
• Working with a strategic customer that has changed payment behavior to arrive at the best outcome for both parties

Breakfast

Join us for coffee/tea and breakfast to fuel up for the final day of the Forum!

Economic Update

Presented by Steve Isberg, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow, Credit Research Foundation

Where are we now after Q2- 2023?
Renowned professor Steve Isberg, PhD. will share his insights and observations including potential impact of the Reserve Currency as well as an analysis of other economic indicators.

Open Forum

The Open Forum is often one of the most highly rated sessions at our live events. This is an open discussion session giving all attendees a chance to participate – ask questions and/or provide answers to others. As always, this Open Forum session allows for immediate feedback from your peers on the questions/topics that are important to YOU!

Please be sure to submit any questions or topics you would like to discuss on the registration form.

National Building Materials Wholesale Best Practices Group Meeting

This is an independent, members-only group for senior level Credit & A/R professionals to engage in best practice processes and benchmarking conversations in an anti-trust compliant environment. The meeting includes an Economic overview presentation focused on the Construction and Building industries delivered by Macro-Economist, Richard Hastings.

For information about this group, to become a member or join this meeting as a first-time guest, please contact Yesinne Alvarez.