10 Hoosier Banker October 2014 CONVENTION COVERAGE What’s Your Game Plan? IBA Annual Convention 2014 Last month 504 attendees gathered at French Lick Resort for education and networking at the 2014 Annual Convention of the Indiana Bankers Association. This year’s theme – “What’s Your Game Plan?”– reflected the readiness of the banking community to move forward into economic recovery. Events kicked off on Sunday, Sept. 28, with a perfect day for golf. Players enjoyed the tournament, as well as the many contests and giveaways throughout the day. Congratulations to the winning team, shown on the facing page, and to Mike Messaglia of Krieg DeVault LLP, who scored a hole-in-one. Sunday evening, guests convened for the sports-themed welcome party. This festive, outdoor event featured basketball hoops, a football toss and a baseball hitting game – in addition to ample food, music and camaraderie. Many attendees came decked out in their favorite team jerseys to show their team spirit. Monday, Sept. 29, commenced with an entertaining keynote opening, provided by humorist Damian Mason, followed by business sessions in the morning and continuing through late afternoon. Topics covered included perspectives from the American Bankers Association and the Independent Community Bankers of America, the evolution of banking, and dealing with generational differences. IBA’s Future Leadership Division (FLD) sprang into action Monday evening, with a rousing annual silent auction and dinner. The FLD succeeded in raising nearly $75,000 for Indiana BANKPAC. Tuesday, Sept. 30, resumed with networking and learning opportunities. Educational sessions opened with tips for managing email inboxes and continued with an examination of board responsibilities, new opportunities in payments, and groundbreaking insights by Dr. Ruby K. Payne into how poverty impacts banks and the communities they serve. The Chairman’s Banquet took place Tuesday evening. After dinner, IBA Chairman Dave Heeter inducted new Forty Year Club members and presented each with a Forty Year Club lapel pin. He also recognized all Forty Year Club members in attendance, as well as past presidents and chairmen of the Association. Heeter passed along the chairman’s gavel to incoming chairman Larry Myers, after which Sen. Jim Merritt presented a Sagamore of the Wabash award from Gov. Mike Pence to Dave Heeter. Amber Van Til, IBA’s senior vice president-government relations, then made a special presentation to Sen. Merritt, honoring him as IBA Legislator of the Year. Closing out the convention were prize drawings. Chuck Niemier, Lake City Bank, Warsaw, won this year’s Indiana BANKPAC sweepstakes, a trip for two to the French Riviera, sponsored by The KeyState Companies. Ed Cullison, Farmers and Mechanics Federal Savings and Loan Association, Bloomfield, won the grand prize drawing, an aquamarine and diamond bracelet, sponsored by IBA Service Corporation. The evening capped off with dancing and high-energy music provided by Endless Summer Band. An important function of the Annual Convention is to conduct official IBA business. Accordingly elections took place at the Monday luncheon with the following officers elected for 2015: • Chairman – Larry W. Myers, president and chief executive officer of First Savings Bank, Clarksville; About the Author Christina M. Bennett, CMP, is vice presidentmeetings & events of the Indiana Bankers Association. She can be reached at 317-387-9380, email: cbennett@indianabankers.org.
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