Happy Saturday, and welcome to CEO Speaks for Saturday, October 14, 2023.
A great and defining organization distinguishes itself by how it supports its members and creates value for them, always with an eye toward doing it better.
And last week in San Francisco, CA, at the TMA Annual 35th Anniversary Gala Conference, that is exactly what we did.
This special conference opportunity broke new ground, celebrated luminaries of our industry, and gave our members so many ways to engage and shine.
Without a doubt, one of the most special moments of the last week was the induction of industry luminaries into the TMA 2023 Hall of Fame.
At a celebratory champagne breakfast honoring industry pioneers Kelley Cornish, Jay Goffman, Laura Davis Jones, William Snyder, and Al Togut, we laughed and cried as each of these outstanding individuals, in the sharing of their own personal journeys, brought to life how they have defined our industry and have paved the way for the next generation of professionals who will light the way forward for us all.
It was nearly impossible not to have been moved by the authenticity of these stand-out professionals, not just for what they have done to advance the corporate restructuring profession but in the sharing of personal challenges and struggles, successes and regrets, and friendships made that have lasted a lifetime.
We are TMA proud to have been able to have these luminaries invite all in attendance at their induction ceremony into both personal and professional aspects of their lives, and bringing a warm and special touch to having them all together in what will long be remembered as one of TMA’s most defining and memorable days.
From start to finish, this Annual showed the best of who we are and how we create actionable optionality in accessible education networking designed to engage, connect, and to reinforce long-standing relationships while forming new bonds and opportunities.
Our speakers took the practical and the real to bring topics of interest and importance to the forefront in engaging ways.
Starting with our opening general session, Shining a Light on a Nation’s Future: The Rebirth of America’s Cities, where TMA professionals Brian Gleason, CTP, Michael Imber, and Marti Kopacz, all who have deep experience in the challenges of municipalities, brought their learnings to the forefront to the next wave of municipal challenges in a post-pandemic world.
Likewise, the Short Term Pain, Long Term Gain in the era of AI and Automation program with panelists Robert Brown, Alex Mehl Ph.D., Michele Michaelis, David Peress, and Joshua Pichinson captivated a room with a fascinating discussion about the power, fears, concerns and positive attributes of AI and what it will mean for the world.
These are just two examples of how our education was diverse, eclectic, interesting, and practical.
Our network of women, always empowering, defining, and inspirational, created a pure networking experience that was food for the soul as our NOW leaders, members, and allies bonded over support of charities Mom Bomb, Dress for Success, and the Homeless Parental Program, three San Francisco charities that aide and advance missions in support of women’s needs.
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program brought to life a masterful discussion tackling tough issues of our times following recent US Supreme Court decisions led by Lauren Berret and joined by University of San Francisco School of Law Professor Julie Nice, DLA San Francisco Managing Partner Jeffrey Tsai and California State Assembly Member Buffy Wicks. This is how TMA lights the way, with diversity of thought not just on professional issues of the day but societal issues that affect us all.
We celebrated and brought together our International members, first-time attendees, and Next Gen members to bring to the forefront the depth of opportunity for connectivity around the world, and we welcomed members and leaders from Europe, Mexico, South America, India, and Australia, too.
Shola Richards, this year’s keynote speaker, bridged the gap of multi-generational thought leadership in the workplace, spoke to workplace civility, and shared about his own mental health struggles as he helped us light the way for a changing world in which we work and how we can better interact and support each other.
Winners of the coveted TMA Turnaround and Transaction Awards were celebrated along with the chapters and individuals in our own organization who continue to raise the bar and themselves light the way forward for a greater TMA.
We learned how to network like a pro from Jill Kirshenbaum, herself a networking pro, and we bonded over a California wine experience and a San Francisco chocolate tour.
And when it was all said and done, following a gala closing reception at the San Francisco Press Club, each and every one of our members who participated in this year’s Annual basked in the afterglow of one of our most eclectic experiences and opportunities that show how at TMA we light the way in our ever-evolving story of TMA Tomorrow.
Thanks to one and all for being part of how, in this big tent we are better together and TMA Proud.
As always, thanks for taking the time to listen today. As TMA Lights The Way, your input is critical, your contributions paramount, and your engagement the foundation that will create a better TMA for all of our members.
Until next time, I’m Scott Stuart. Be safe, resilient, and TMA Proud.