i-SIGMA 2022 Conference Recap

The warm, sun-soaked vistas of Orlando, Florida were the backdrop for a successful 2022 i-SIGMA Annual Conference and Expo. Industry professionals flocked to Florida, excited to be together again in-person with their peers. This excited tone pervaded throughout the event and provided an electric atmosphere rife with business opportunity, friendly conversations, and educational sessions.

Before everyone dug into the educational buffet of sessions and the raucous atmosphere of the Expo on Monday, a well-earned afternoon of networking under the Florida sunshine with associates and friends alike was first on the docket at the 2022 Annual Golf Tournament, sponsored by Vecoplan, LLC. One lucky (or skilled) member representative, Mike Campbell of Vecoplan, LLC (Archdale, NC, USA) even hit a coveted hole-in-one!

With Sunday’s events wrapped up and all of the attendees having their fill of the relaxing amenities of the JW Marriot Orlando Grande Lakes, all of the attendees flocked to Monday’s panels, presentations, and exhibitor mini sessions to expand their minds and to the expo hall to expand their businesses and networks. The sessions covered a variety of topics, ranging from sustainability to surviving a disaster, and the expo hall featured booths from 45 companies.

Monday wrapped up with the entertaining Truck Lot Party, sponsored by ShredTech, which was a pirate-themed extravaganza with a live band enjoyed by everyone in attendance. Everyone came together to enjoy a delicious meal and socialize with each other, reminiscing on old memories and making new ones, all happy to see each other face-toface again. The night ended with the Young Professionals Networking event, sponsored by CSR Privacy Solutions, Inc., where those young in age, in the industry, or at heart got to network and speak with likeminded peers and industry veterans alike.

Tuesday kicked off with more sessions, including “Making the Most of Your Certification” from i-SIGMA CEO Bob Johnson, before the Member’s Luncheon, sponsored by Jake,Connor, and Crew. After a rousing presentation from Dawn Connelly, the departing board members were acknowledged and the new members inducted, followed shortly by the awarding of the Shred Nations and Record Nations scholarship to Hana Connelly. Keynote speaker Scott Bloom then took the stage for a raucous sequence of jokes and games, bringing our members closer as a community and providing levity to the previously serious affair. The night wrapped up with a reception in the Exhibit Hall, sponsored by Iron Mountain, where booths held giveaways of various prizes and talked shop with friends new and old.

The conference’s final day, Wednesday, began and ended with more sessions, such as “The Yellow Brick Road to Profitability” from i-SIGMA Director of Marketing and Communications, Kelly Martinez and industry veterans Steve and Tobi Innerfield (ShredMetrics, Long Beach, NY, USA), before the bittersweet closing of the conference.

As everyone has made their way home, the memories and connections made at the conference and the knowledge gained will stick with them, helping fuel their drive to advance our industry everfurther. After all, it is essential that we all work together as we forge our industry’s future.

Thank you to all attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and guests. We were thrilled to have you!

Additionally, we wanted to offer our sincere appreciation and thanks to the staff at the JW Marriot Orlando Grande Lakes, without whom the event would not have been possible.

Now, it is time for everyone to get excited for next year’s conference, to be held at Bally’s Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada 30 March – 1 April. We hope to see everyone there!