USOBA Announces its 2009 Summer Conference Speakers and Topics

Houston, TX — The United States Organizations for Bankruptcy Alternatives (http://www.usoba.org) (USOBA), a trade association representing the debt settlement industry by creating state-specific agendas and advocating for fair regulation and consumer protection, has announced it full round of confirmed speakers for the USOBA 2009 Conference in Chicago this summer.

With two panels discussing hot topics in the industry and an array of experts in the field speaking, USOBA Director of Member Relations, Krysten Howerton, is confident that this conference will be one of the most informative and captivating ones USOBA has ever hosted.

“We have the pleasure of putting on a conference this summer that includes very proficient and well-versed speakers,” Howerton said. “Our conference attendees will learn invaluable information that can greatly impact their business for the better.”

USOBA 2009 Speakers and Topics:

“Legislative Updates 2009: The Risks, the Runs, and Rules”: USOBA Legislative Chair, Heather Carmichael will be discussing the state-by-state legislative updates for the debt settlement industry. The discussion will cover the successes, the challenges, and the future of the industry through the experiences of the legislative USOBA team over the 2009 session.

“Ethical Concerns for Attorneys Involved in Debt Settlement”: Jose Angel Trejo from Bay View Law Group will identify some of the major rules that must be complied with by attorneys entering the debt settlement arena and will examine some of the ethical concerns facing attorneys entering debt settlement.

“Hot Topics in the Debt Settlement Industry”: Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum and Jonathan L. Pompan of Venable LLP will cover the hot- button issues that the FTC and state AGs are investigating and provide tips on how to avoid scrutiny and what to do if you are faced with responding to an investigation or defending a law enforcement action.

“Getting the Most Out of USOBA Membership”: Sarah Leineke and Julie Leineke of Nationwide Debt Settlement will speak on Understanding the true value of USOBA Membership by taking a motivational and educational approach. Subjects covered will include: Being loyal with your word; educating yourself; motivating yourself by always doing your best; The importance of Auriemma.

“Inside the Uniform Debt Management Services Act”: EFA Processing General Counsel, John Ansbach will explain n everything you need to know about the UDMSA and how it affects a company’s day-to-day operations.

“Web 3.0: The Social Disease That You Actually Want to Catch”: Eddie Reeves with Public Strategies will provide insights into how the revolutionary changes impacting the world of marketing and sales and how you can position your business to not only survive, but thrive in this revolution.

“Improving Relations with the Collection and Debt Buying Industry”: DBA International Executive Director, Roger Knauf, will explain how debt settlement companies can establish relationships with the collection and debt buying industry, and how those relationships can be improved.

“Consumer Protection Challenges in the Debt Settlement Industry”: FTC representative, Stephanie Rosenthal, will be presenting an overview of deceptive practices under the FTC Act and will also discuss consumer protection challenges in the debt settlement industry.

“Litigation Emergency Prepardness Kit”: Michael Mallow from Loeb & Loeb will discuss how to Educate yourself on what litigation defense procedures should be incorporated into the daily operations of a company as well as what information should be retained for easy access if regulatory action is initiated against a company.

“Debt Settlement Strategies”: Greenspoon Marder partner, Robby Birnbaum will discuss debt settlement strategies for today and the future regulatory environment. This will include how companies operate inside it now, and how they will be operating in the future.

“Financial Reporting and Audit Reporting Under Debt Settlement Acts”: AJ Robbins (AJ Robbins, PC) will focus on the financial accounting and auditing requirements of the different states throughout the country. He will try to bring an understanding of the statutory requirements of the different localities where you and your clients may be doing business and how they can bet met.

Sales Compliance Panel: A panel set up to assist companies in developing compliant sales procedures and documentation. The panel discussion will include tips on preparing and using customer agreements, sales scripts, other marketing communications, and compliance follow-up procedures with the goal of adequate disclosure, yet without losing the sales edge.

Matt Hearn – MSTARS

Michael Thurman – Loeb & Loeb

Creditor Panel: Moderated by USOBA Creditor Relations Chair, Nikki Vrla, this panel will discuss the tools debt settlement companies can use to better interact with creditors.

Raymond Bell – Creditors Interchange Receivables Management

Carmine Dorio – Progressive Financial Services, Inc

Roger Knauf – DBA International

Robert Knight – Capstone Portfolio Management

John Farinacci – Sitel Corp

John Wilson – Superior Debt Relief Services

About USOBA
USOBA is dedicated to providing its member companies with important, industry-related information, including compliance requirements, as well as advocating on behalf of its membership for fair and appropriate industry regulation that maintains the utmost in consumer protection. USOBA members are provided a USOBA State Law Summary guide, the only one of its kind in the industry, to better ensure and promote national compliance. This guide contains the laws and regulations, state by state, and has been reviewed by regulators and legislators. For further information, please visit www.usoba.org.