Comments from 2010 Conference Participants:

"Very well presented!  Data that provoked thought.  Relevant for future Directors meetings."

"Excellent.  Many times listening to an economist can be physically painful.  Chris, however, is an excellent speaker with a very relevant spin on current economic issues."

"Excellent.  Good kick-off - very effective and good input on current conditions."

"Outstanding."

"Thought-provoking data.  Tangible tools to measure performance to provide basis for decisioning."

"Timely.  Easy to set aside strategic planning exercises given the dynamics of today's environment.  Needs to be on front shelf."

"Excellent.  Would have liked more time allocated to Peter."

"Great.  Quality presentation delivered in an understandable manner."

"Great conference.  Pickin party was fun too."

"Good insights."

"Panel of people in business very good."

"Great session - very dynamic information regarding objectives and strategies for Board and management to focus on for thinking and planning."

"Good insight regarding commercial real estate and capital ratios."

"Interesting format to hear how various community bankers are addressing the challenges facing the banking industry."

"My first time to attend - I feel that the program was very informative.  Would like to attend in future."

"Good presentation - applicable to all businesses.  Best of the conference."

Comments From 2009 Conference Participants:

"Best line up of speakers and relevant content of director conferences to date. Best two days of relevant material that I have experienced. Annual director conference is the best possible director education in the industry. Please continue."

"This is my first year as an outside director of a community bank. I felt that I received great value from the presentations. The educational opportunity presents an opportunity for me to challenge the bank's mgmt to adapt to the external "dynamic" changes they are experiencing today. Great job!"

"All great speakers."

"Great presentation. Excellent"

"Very good conference"

"All presentations were excellent. I would hope there will be another conference next year. After attending these meetings, I always feel more comfortable in a board meeting session - more especially, I hope, in these uncertain economic times. As an outside director, I can never have too much information."

"Good conference with timely info always organized well"

"This conference is a very thought provoking conference that deal with real issues and practical advice. Keep it going."

"My first time with this group. Would repeat for sure."

"My first meeting - very informative and I learned a lot"

"My first time - great event. Do again next year."

"Great program!! See you next year."

"Please continue. We have been to others, but this is by far the best with the most meat."

"I think this conference is always a great learning time, especially in this new banking climate. Very important to outside directors."

"I appreciate the quality of the conference program and the quality of the speakers. A little fast paced for outside directors."

"This is my second conference. It's a great working seminar. It definitely makes me a better outside director. I would like to see all of our directors at the seminar in the future."

"This was my first time in attendance. I feel the information and speakers were very relevant to my bank and what is happening in the industry."

"Excellent conference - but as an outside director I would suggest that much of the material and the "speed" at which it is presented is difficult to fully understand and appreciate."

"A little too much history and background. A number of speakers went over the same material. Have an overview session and then have each speaker address his area of expertise and not traverse ground already covered."

"Use of many abbreviations/acronyms made it difficult at times" 

Comments from 2008 Conference Participants:

"Good job with a very dry subject.  Nice work!"

"Excellent BSA information."

"Timely information - good insight."

"Great perspective."

"Bob always presents the data in an easy to understand presentation."

"Great heads up on current trends."

"Good to have a realistic viewpoint from our regulator."

"Always insightful and provoking."

"Well done conference!"

"Very good information for directors.  Not a very exciting presentation, but probably a reflection of subject matter."

"Very good practical information that is easily applied."

"Very good agenda and presenters.  Very timely material.  My board felt the time and money were well spent."

"Outstanding.  Very pertinent for today, but even more important for our future."

"It was a great conference."

"Really held my attention.  Great job of dealing with reality.  Eye opening."

"Great ideas for improving ROE."

"Excellent.  Great checklist for BOD's to evaluate credit area."

"I felt the presentations on all issues above were tremendously informative."

"An evening with three songwriters:  Probably the best and most meaningful 2 1/2 hours of live performance music I've experienced outside of my church.  It was obvious the music came from the heart.  I especially liked Alan Shamblin.  His lyrics really grip the heart and soul." 

"Entertainment excellent - you should do a better job of letting people know what they will miss if they don't attend."