CONNECT Highlights

The energy at CBA’s CONNECT was over the top! Community bankers and partners gathered at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, last week for informative and timely educational programs taught by knowledgeable speakers, plus all the camaraderie and fun that CBA is known to host.

“CBA’s 54th annual convention—CONNECT—exceeded all expectations. As a longtime banking convention participant, the program put together by the CBA Convention Committee was one of the best I have ever seen,” stated John McNair, President & CEO of Community Bankers Association of Georgia (CBA). “Virtually every key and current business topic was addressed and, due to the exceptionally strong banker attendance, the networking opportunities for all were abundant. I am grateful to the entire Convention Committee and the CBA Staff that worked so hard to make this program one of the best in CBA’s 54-year history.”

John also has the honor and privilege each year to thank our past Board chairs for their service and to welcome our new chairs into their respective positions. All in attendance joined John in thanking retiring CBA Board chair Debra Weil who is retiring from both the CBA Board and banking, and welcoming incoming 2022-2023 chair Richy Everly, Bank of Wrightsville, into the role. John had the same honor in thanking LEAD Board chair Brian Bazemore, The Citizens Bank of Cochran/Community Bank of Dublin-Laurens County, Dublin, for his amazing service and welcomed Chris Cochran, Affinity Bank, Atlanta, as the new LEAD Board chair.

The convention kicked off with Stephanie Stuckey of Stuckey’s Corporation on “Every Business Is a Story.” CONNECT sessions covered a wide range of topics, including small business, cryptocurrency, strategic planning, Banking as a Service, agribusiness opportunities, core market update, cultivating positive culture that leads to innovation, cyber security incident response, strategic decisions using data and much more.

Charles Potts, EVP/Chief Innovation Officer at ICBA, served as emcee for the Friday session, and Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of ICBA, provided an update on issues facing community banks on the national level. A panel discussion was held each day featuring a small business panel, an HR Panel discussing “The Great Resignation,” and a Regulatory Panel. The Saturday General Session ended with former NFL player Ray McElroy, who gave an entertaining and inspirational message.

CONNECT 2022 ended on a high note with the Chairman’s Reception, Dinner and party for all ages featuring Dueling Pianos.

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