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NAPBS 2011 Annual Conference
Denver, Colorado
March 20-23, 2011
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The attendance at the conference was up 12% from last
year. Not bad at all. Here are the details:
Total Companies Exhibitor
Year Attendees Attending Attendees # of Exhibitors
2008 642
261 170
49
2009
525 224
146 65
2010
508 213 156
56
2011
572 219
143
48
Exhibitors: 48 paid exhibitors. Great opportunity for CRAs to see what is new, different, better, more
competitive, better quality, better turnaround time and better integrations:
Data providers to the industry
15 Industry
software platforms 9 International search providers 8 Criminal record wholesalers 7 Real-time criminal court data extraction 3 Drug 2 Consultants 2 Other 2
General:
I
think the quality, content and organization of this year’s conference was the best ever and I got the same feedback
from attendees and exhibitors. The conference committee, headed by Dean Carras with assistance from Katee Barnhart and the
rest of the IMI crew really did an outstanding job.
The committees and NAPBS have accomplished a ton of work this past year.
If you think people are not working hard (volunteering) to accomplish things for the industry, you are wrong!
You can read NAPBS’s full disclosure annual report at: http://www.napbs.com/files/members/2010_Annual_Report_FINAL.pdf
If you are not a member, you need to join and you need to become active. The
cost, as shown below, is extremely reasonable:
If you are a CRA, the dues are very reasonable
based upon the number of employees. Part-time employees count as one half of a full time employee.
12 or less employees
$500
13-25 employees
$1,100
26-50 employees $1,800
51-100 employees $3,000
101 or more employees $6,000 Affiliate Member dues:
$150
The annual NAPBS budget is about $1,000,000. Contribute,
join, learn, benefit. Every dollar is needed to protect your industry.
Industry Trends:
The mood of the attendees was upbeat. Not that all companies were back to their sales levels
of early 2008, but everyone was happy their businesses are growing again.
Technology is still an important key to success in this industry - better operating platforms, better
and easier interfaces with providers, better and easier computer interfaces with clients, better interfaces with ATS and HRIS,
and automated direct-to-the-court data retrievers. And regarding Social Media: One company
was marketing an FCRA compliant social media search - Yes, FCRA compliant.
Stuff:
The reception on Sunday night was again excellent. Fastest five hours ever.
Yes, five hours. From 5-6pm was a new member meet and greet. There must have been 75 people jammed
in the room. This was a great time trying to meet new members. Then 6-7pm for the opening
ceremony and then 7-10 on the exhibit floor with food, open bar, exhibitors, networking, information exchange, old and new
friends, hugs and handshakes. We really have a good bunch of people in our association.
Monday night was open and several companies entertained their clients. Everyone had
a nice place to go with good entertainment and good food and the hotel bar went on with dancing and talking and sharing until
the wee hours.
Tuesday night was dueling pianos. A
very successful evening with lots of laughs, a bit of dancing, dinner and a cocktail or two, all planned by NAPBS.
While a bit rough for those with “sensitive ears” it was all in good fun (right Fred and Julie?) and extremely
well attended. Timothy Baxter is committed to taking cowbell lessons and Art Cohen just knows how to have
a good time. And our new chairperson, Teresa Preg got top grades as the harmonica assistant.
People Stuff:
Remember www.BackgroundScreeningJobs.com.Lydia Wray has moved to ClearStar. Karen Crider is looking
for a sales position to stay in the industry. Former NAPBS Executive Director, Tracy Seabrook is now with
First Choice. Robin Shattuck, is looking for a sales position to stay in the industry. Katy Britto is
now with HireRight. Noelle Harling has retired from official duties at NAPBS after completing eight years
of contribution. Thanks, Noelle! Former ChoicePoint executives Doug Curling, David Lee, Dan McGuff
and Michael DeJanes have formed a Capital Group. Blair Cohen (former InfoMart) is keeping his pulse on the industry. Caryl McMains is now
with BISI. Todd Ditmars, after a long absence form the industry has joined International
Screening Solutions. Amy Gstalder Brodsky has left the industry after 10 years and is now with D&B. Laura Randazzo
is now with Aurico. Allison Sestak (backgroundchecks.com) got married. Will she change
her last name? - Maureen
Plotke is now with Inquiries.
NAPBS also held a silent auction and
raised $4,443! Berg Consulting Group’s contribution to the auction was for one hour of free consultation
and free searches for Dexter for existing and for new clients. This was a fun activity, a good for all
and Julie Hakman came away with a very “unusual” necklace!
Company
News:
American Background was acquired by Sterling Infosystems. First Advantage was acquired by Symphony Technologies. NBD, SafeRent, and American Driving Records staying with CoreLogic. Equifax announced they have reduced their minimums to only $50,000 a year. US Datalink was acquired by Administaff and is now called Insperity. Premier
Employment Screening Services has re-branded as Tandem Select. Intelius
has re-branded as Talentwise. - Background Screening and Security Solutions is now The Cedalius Group
And,
once again we get the buzz that the EEOC continues to review their position regarding the use of background checks for employment
screening and it is anticipated that their recommendation will not be favorable for our industry, but NAPBS keeps fighting.
NEXT:
The Mid-Year conference will be in Orlando, FL, October 16-18, 2011. Be
there!!
Next year’s annual conference
will be in Nashville on April 15-17, 2012. Be there too!!
Our Better Vendor Program is guaranteed to improve your provider quality and reduce your costs significantly. Dexter (web data extraction tool for criminal
records extraction). This technology has comes of age. Check it out. - Use Berg Consulting Group to help you sell your business.
NAPBS Committees-Join one now!
Best
Practices
Conference Committee
Education
Government Relations
International
Media Relations
Membership Recruitment and Retention
Provider
Tenant Screening
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