Connections 2007 came to a conclusion after four days of educational sessions, product training and networking opportunities. This year’s sixth annual conference was hosted by Harland Clarke’s sister company, Harland Financial Solutions. The event drew more than 1,100 Harland Financial Solutions clients and nearly 100 strategic partners.
Held in San Diego, Calif. at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, the conference commenced with a spellbinding presentation from keynote speaker and Canadian adventurer Jamie Clarke. Attendees are still talking about his inspirational message and how he skillfully interwove entertaining accounts of his Mt. Everest expeditions with the value of a strategic relationship with Harland Financial Solutions. Attendees had over 300 breakout sessions to choose from throughout the week, affording numerous opportunities to learn more about their technology investments, speak directly with product experts, as well as interface with key management team members.
Additionally, Harland Financial Solutions showcased its comprehensive solution offering in Innovations Station, giving attendees a forum to research new technologies, review enhancements to present offerings and meet with Harland Financial Solutions’ strategic partners who exhibited in the Partner Expo. The conference ended on a high note with closing speaker Mike Rayburn, who impressed the audience with his unique guitar creations and energizing performance.
“Each year, this conference not only provides an environment of peer to peer networking, but also gives our clients access to industry experts and influencers whom they might not otherwise have the opportunity to exchange ideas with,” said John O'Malley, president & CEO of Harland Financial Solutions. “We are invested in the success of our financial institution clients and host this event as a platform to further support their individual goals.”
This year's lineup of industry expert guest speakers included representatives from Aite Group, Callahan & Associates, Cornerstone Advisors, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, J.D. Power and Associates, RLR Management Consulting, The Credit Union Journal, TowerGroup and USA Federal Credit Union.
Preparations are already underway for Connections 2008, which will be held in Orlando, Fla., September 15-18 at the Walt Disney World® Swan & Dolphin Resort.
