November 12-14, 2008
San Francisco Marriott, San Francisco, CA

Each year, there is one event unlike any other for the asset-based finance and factoring industries. That one event is the Commercial Finance Association 64th Annual Convention, November 12-14, 2008 in San Francisco, CA. So make sure to SAVE THE DATE for the one event you can’t afford to miss!

You Won’t Want to Miss Our Opening Session

A post-election discussion between Senator John Edwards and
Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove!

Additional speakers include:

• Frank Abagnale – World’s foremost authority on fraud and identity theft and subject of the hit movie Catch Me If You Can
• Robert Reich - Economist, Former Secretary of Labor and Author

This event is sure to be one you can’t afford to miss!

Click here for a calendar of events.

Click here to register.

TMA 2208 Annual Convention

Monday–Wednesday, October 27–29, 2008
New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans, LA
555 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

Mark your calendar for TMA’s 20th Anniversary Convention. Please continue to visit this website for updates. Convention registration will open in July 2008.  Member registration fees are $1,195 (early bird) or $1,395 (regular). Nonmember registration fees are $1,395 (early bird) or $1,595 (regular)

Celebrating the Turnaround Management, Restructuring, and Distressed Investing Industry

Opening Keynote Speaker
General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.)

General Powell will open the convention on Tuesday, October 28. As one of the most respected leaders in America today, General Powell offers unsurpassed insight on leadership and his vision for tomorrow.

Day-two Opening Keynote Speaker
Bob Woodward

Bob Woodward, legendary political investigative journalist for The Washington Post, will open day two of the convention on Wednesday, October 29.  Woodward’s reputation for uncovering Washington’s untold truths and his access to top political insiders results in fascinating insights for audiences.

Closing Luncheon Speaker
Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner, author of the autobiographical book-turned-movie The Pursuit of Happyness, captivates audiences with his personal turnaround story. From supporting his son while homeless to forming his own institutional brokerage firm, Gardner’s journey to success inspires audiences to achieve their full potential.

20th Anniversary Celebratory Dinner

Don’t miss this special evening on Tuesday, October 28, as TMA celebrates 20 years of the turnaround management, restructuring and distressed investing industry. The dinner program includes:

• TMA Hall of Fame inaugural induction ceremony. The Hall of Fame honors and preserves the names of those individuals whose outstanding contributions have increased the stature and respect of our industry. (the nominations process has closed)
• Contribution presentation to Save the Children, an organization dedicated to turning around children’s lives, given in honor of this industry milestone
• Presentation of the Butler-Cooley Excellence in Teaching awards
• Entertainment by Emmy-award winning comedian Dana Carvey

Educational Sessions

Plenary Sessions

• “THE IMPACT OF DISTRESSED INVESTORS UPON THE RESTRUCTURING PROCESS” Moderated by Henry Miller of Miller Buckfire and featuring (to date) Bob Dangremond, CTP, AlixPartners, and Brad Scheler, Fried Frank
• “DISTRESSED INVESTING: HOW TO MAKE MONEY IN 2009” Moderated by Jamie Sprayregen of Goldman Sachs and featuring (to date) Ron Greenspan, FTI Consulting, and Greg Segall, Versa Capital Management
• “ISSUES FACING BOARDS OF DIRECTORS WHEN DEALING WITH COMPANIES IN DISTRESS” Moderated by Frank Merola of Stutman, Treister & Glatt and featuring (to date) Jan Baker, Skadden; Duff Meyercord, Carl Marks Advisory Group; and Steve Miller, Delphi
• JUDGE’S ROUNDTABLE, moderated by Hon. Barbara J. Houser of the Northern District of Texas and featuring (to date) Hon. Randall L. Dunn, District of Oregon; Hon. Robert E. Gerber, Southern District of New York; and Hon. Paul M. Glenn, Middle District of Florida.

Skill Builder Sessions

• CAPITAL MARKETS UPDATE. Moderated by Saul Burian, Houlihan Lokey, and featuring (to date) Adrian Frankum, FTI Consulting
• POWER NEGOTIATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION. Moderated by Randy Patterson, CTP, Lake Pointe Partners, and featuring Terry Coleman, Republic Financial Corporation; Robin Phelan, Haynes and Boone LLP; and Lisa Poulin, CTP, CRG Partners Group LLC
• CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS.  Moderated by Brenda Adrian, Sitrick and Company, and featuring (to date) Mary Beaudette, Dow Jones; Natasha Labovitz, Kirkland & Ellis; and Anthony Schnelling, Bridge Associates

Community Service Project – City Park New Orleans

The heart of New Orleans, City Park offers 1,300 acres of natural attractions; children’s play areas; and sports and recreational activities. City Park not only sustained $43 million in damages from Hurricane Katrina, but staffing has gone from 260 employees to just over 30. Volunteers are essential to the rebirth of this cherished park, and TMA is pleased to be part of this recovery. TMA’s community service project at City Park will be held on Monday, October 27, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Because the park’s recovery is an evolving process, TMA will know more about its specific rebuilding project as the date approaches. Examples of these worthwhile projects include restoring playgrounds, planting trees or flowers, or revitalizing some of the 22 miles of shoreline. The project and its volunteers will be recognized during the convention opening session on Tuesday, October 28.
Click here for more information and to register.

16th Annual Southwest Bankruptcy Conference
Four Seasons Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
September 4-6, 2008

If it’s fun you want, it’s fun you’ll get! Join ABI’s Southwest Bankruptcy Conference, September 4-6 at the beautiful and serene Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas for three days of networking and CLE. An outstanding faculty of judges, academics and industry professionals will present workshops on a variety of topics, and Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens will once again keynote the Friday Luncheon. This year’s sessions include:

• Great Debates
• Multimedia Ethics Extravaganza
• Consumer Remedies for Lender Misconduct
• The Aren’t Buying It: Handling the Next Wave of Retail Insolvencies
• Claims Trading, Fiduciary Duties and Other Pesky Committee Issues
• The Anatomy of a Bankruptcy M&A Transaction: From Teaser to Tombstone
• The Subprime Meltdown from an Insolvency Litigation Perspective
• Individual Chapter 11s: The Saga Continues
• Dialing for Dollars and Other Creative Ways to Find Cash for the Estate
• Current Case Law Developments (Commercial and Consumer)
• Relationships and Stakeholder Positions in a Changing Market
• Judges’ Roundtable

Don’t gamble… register today!

Click here for a calendar of events.

Click here to register.

4th Annual Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Workshop
Hyatt Regency, Chesapeake Bay
Cambridge, MD
July 31 - August 2, 2008

An extraordinary Eastern Shore experience awaits you at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa & Marina. Beautifully situated on the banks of the Choptank River, the 400-acre Cambridge hotel provides a relaxing and comfortable experience for you and your family.
The Eastern Shore of Maryland is known for its blue crabs, but ABI’s Mid Atlantic Bankruptcy Conference is known for its outstanding educational programs. The region’s finest practitioners and bankruptcy judges will convene for 3 days of top-notch CLE and networking opportunities:

• The Straight and Narrow: Ethics Issues
• When Circuits Collide: Revisited
• What’s on OUST’s Radar?
• The Good Earth: Real Estate Issues
• Understanding Today’s Capital Markets
• Anything But Bankruptcy! - Revisited: Non bankruptcy Alternatives
• Navigating the New Claims Rules
• Swords into Plowshares: Mediation and ADR
• Leveling the Playing Field: Avoidance Issues Update
• After the Storm: Post-confirmation Issues

Click here for a calendar of events.

Click here to register.

13th Annual Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop
The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island
Amelia Island, Florida
July 16-19, 2008

Join ABI for a healthy dose of Southern hospitality at the 13th Annual Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop, held again at the stunning Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. One of the most popular beach destinations on the East Coast, this barrier island resort, located on a grand stretch of the island’s 13 miles of coastline, is a AAA Five Diamond hotel, providing you and your family a welcome barrier between you and the world beyond.Between the fine dining and relaxing days on the beach, get another healthy dose of Bankruptcy CLE. A faculty of outstanding judges, academics and practitioners will present workshops on the hottest topics of the day, including:

• Adequate Protection in Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 Cases
• Tax Issues in Bankruptcy
• Venue Issues in Chapter 11 Filings
• Consumer Ethics: How to Stay Out of Jail
• Condo Mania
• Consumer Claims against Creditors
• The Chapter 11 Fees Study: Moving-Forward Analysis
• 363 Sales

Plus… Plenary sessions will bring you up to speed on the latest consumer and business updates and the subprime fallout, and a special “Surfside Chat” with the ABI Presidents’ Panel!

Click here for a calendar of events.

Click here to register.

15th Annual Northeast Bankruptcy Conference

July 10 - 13, 2008

Ocean Edge Resort & Club

Brewster, Massachusetts

Back again by popular demand: The Northeast Consumer Forum will be held for the third time in conjunction with the Northeast Bankruptcy Conference. Registration is separate for this exclusive and exciting program. To register and for additional information click on the tab above marked “Consumer Forum.”

• Sunny Side Up, or Down? Breakfast with the Economists
• Current Issues in Commercial Leasing
• Appellate Advocacy Skills
• You Can’t Treat the Patient without a Diagnosis: Identifying Causes for Business Failure
• Current Issues in Avoidance Actions
• Gaining Support from All of Your Constituencies
• Cross-Border Issues Coming to Your Town
• Troubled Portfolio Companies
• Privileges, Exceptions and Civil and Criminal Liability
• Avoiding Administrative Insolvency
• Hot Topics in Claims Purchasing and Trading
• The ever-popular “Seaside Chat”

Click here for a calendar of events.

Click here to register.

“Finding Financial Liquidity when the Credit Well is Running Dry”

Panelists include:  
Jack Lieberman, Esq., Fordham Financial Services, Inc. 
James A. Beutel, Sun Capital, Inc. and
Craig Bassel, Wells Fargo Business Credit
Moderated by:  Chuck Doyle, Business Capital 
 
Program to include:
What is Factoring/AR Funding? 
When/where would I use Factoring/AR Funding?
How is Factoring/AR Funding different from debt financing?
Why is Factoring/AR Funding so expensive?
Is Factoring/AR Funding available for medical/healthcare providers?  

Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008
Location: The Carnelian Room , Bank of America Building, 555 California Street, San Francisco
Contact: 415-433-7500 
Time:
Registration: 7:30 am - 8:00 am
Breakfast and Program 8:00 am - 9:30 am 
Cost: 
$35.00 TMA members early bird registration rate prior to 5/8/08
$40.00 TMA Members after early bird cutoff
$45.00 Non-Members
$50.00 to register at the door

Click here to register now - go to the Events Area on the left hand side of the page

Time: 7:30 am

Location: Banker’s Club (top of Bank of America Building)

Hillhouse welcomes the venerable Willie Brown, Mayor of San Francisco for two terms, legendary speaker of the California State Assembly and widely regarded as the most influential African-American politicians of the late twentieth century.  Willie L. Brown Jr. has been at the center of California politics, government, and civic life for four decades.  He is an astonishingly candid and entertaining speaker.  Mr. Brown’s recently published book, BASIC BROWN: My Life and Our Times, will be provided to Hillhouse guests. 

The Inside Scoop Presents
Weathering the Economic Storm
Manage Your Business’s Finances and Avoid the Pitfalls in an Economic Downturn

 Host:  Inside Scoop Seminars

Location: Wachovia Securities Conference Room at The Bank of America Bldg.; 555 California St., 23rd Fl.; San Francisco

When: Wednesday, April 23, 12:00PM

Phone: 415-643-1271

Please join us for a presentation by Elaine McCarty of Pacific Crest Group and John Seeley of Business Capital. It will include a brief summary of the current economic conditions and predictions, and how to manage your finances and profitability to make it through our current recession.  We will address what pitfalls are common to business owners and solutions that are available, including:- How to better manage cash flow.
- How to easily get a handle on your financials.
- How to prevent employee fraud and embezzlement.
- How to avoid tax penalties and overpayments.
- How to position your business to secure the best financing.

But, what if you have already made mistakes? You will also learn:
- How to handle creditor calls.
- How you can negotiate debt.
- What are alternate sources of financing?

A complimentary lunch will be provided

Seating is limited and pre-registration is required because this is a high security building. You MUST be on the registered list to be admitted. You may invite others by forwarding this Evite or adding them as your guest and pre-registering them as well.

It is recommended that you use the St Mary’s Square Parking Garage

(Article from the “San Francisco Sentinel”; Thursday, April 17th) 

Raphael House, San Francisco’s oldest family shelter, announced today the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors.

Sophie Azouaou, Kevin Brennan, Chuck Doyle and Laurie Kopp joined the Board of Directors.

“We are fortunate to have such a talented group of new directors bringing such strong support from the San Francisco business community,” stated Executive Director, Fr. David Lowell.

“The Board of Directors plays an important role at Raphael House. They provide oversight and insight into the day-to-day operations of the shelter and play a critical role in our development efforts.”

Sophie Azouaou, owner of SophiSticate Interiors, a prominent design firm in the Bay Area, joins the board after spearheading several pro bono design projects benefiting Raphael House families.

In partnership with Benefit Magazine and CitiApartments, she redesigned two apartments for former Raphael House residents Most recently, Azouaou donated her time and resources to a complete makeover of Raphael House’s AfterCare building and Teen Room.

Kevin Brennan, executive vice-president and co-managing partner of Studley, Inc. joins the Board after several years of volunteering at Raphael House. Brennan brings a wealth of fundraising knowledge and experience to the board.

Chuck Doyle, president of Business Capital, also brings his years of fund development experience to Raphael House. “Chuck has a long history of fundraising for several east and west coast organizations. His tireless passion for the work of Raphael House is a huge asset for our organization,” said Fr. David.

Laurie Kopp, associate at Capital Group Companies, Inc., has a strong passion for hands-on service. Kopp was recently awarded Volunteer of the Year by Capital Group for her work in the community.

What is Raphael House?

Established in 1971, it was the first shelter in San Francisco for families experiencing homelessness. Raphael House has a dedicated staff and Board of Directors from the local community along with a small core of live-in staff. In the last 36 years, Raphael House has sheltered more than 17,000 individuals with the help of 12,000 friends who have invested financial and volunteer support. Raphael House relies solely on private resources to meet its annual budget. Support is received from individuals, foundations, corporations, businesses, civic groups and churches that are committed to promoting stability for at-risk families.

See Related: MOROCCAN PARADISE CACHE DESCENDS ON SWANK FOUR SEASONS HOTEL MAY 8 - PREMIER PARTY DESIGNER ROBERT FOUNTAIN CIRCLES THE CAMELS FOR RAPHAEL HOUSE ANNUAL BENEFIT GALA