An Attendee's Look at the 2013 PBUS Winter Conference

• March 10, 2013
• by Alex Price
• Associations

Editor's note: This article was written by an industry professional and guest contributor. The views expressed, products mentioned, and opinions in this article are of the author and do not reflect the views of AboutBail. If you are interested in becomeing a guest contributor, send an email to [email protected].

I have just returned home from the 2013 Professional Bail Agents of the United States Winter Conference that was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Mirage Resort and Casino. I find myself eagerly anticipating this gathering each year, knowing that the PBUS Board works all year to put on an event that provides needed education and training to its members. It is a full three days of classes from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., that are geared to helping participants become better at their trade and become more profitable.

Great effort is expended to bring in experts on branding, marketing, business planning, skip-tracing, current and future regulations affecting the industry, and so much more. The event is free from infighting and politics, and it focuses on what’s important to the industry and its members. I was honored to be asked to participate in a panel discussion on Electronic Skip-tracing with some of the best skip-tracers the industry has ever known. We worked on real cases, and two sessions were held for attendees.

A sit-up and listen moment came when Steve Rambam fully engaged the audiences with his ode to the death of privacy presentation entitled, “Privacy is Dead – Get Over It: Counter Intelligence and Safety Issues." Mr. Rambam’s credentials include his leadership of the international investigative agency, Pallorium, Inc., an enduring and much publicized industry-leading organization with offices and affiliates in multiple areas of the country, whose investigations have been integral in the apprehension of financial industry fraudsters sought by the likes of the FBI.

During typical conference lectures it is not uncommon to witness participants taking calls, answering emails, and generally leaving their seats. With a lecture lasting three hours, the usual distractions and departures among the audience could be forgiven and even expected. Yet Mr. Rambam’s information-packed presentation on skip-tracing techniques seemed to magically glue the attendees to their seats as he captured their attention and ran with it. If you ever have a chance to see him in person, do yourself a favor and BE THERE! Bring a pad of paper, a pen and some Tylenol for the case of writer’s cramp that will inevitably result from your own efforts to document the gems of knowledge that he bestows on an audience craving enlightenment.

Other equally relevant classes for attendees were: Courtroom Etiquette Training by Judge Leslie, Working with the U.S. Marshals Service by Mr. Denny Behrend, Pretrial Release Campaign by Dennis Bartlett & Melanie Ledgerwood, Internet Marketing with AboutBail by Rick Casta, Ebonds for Immigration Enforcement by Carl Albritton. This is just a sampling of the offerings available to the attendees. Along with the requisite continuing education classes, participants gained invaluable knowledge to take back to their offices to bolster their own potential to increase revenue and reduce liability.

An added benefit to attending a gathering of this sort is the opportunity to find vendors that could become an asset to an agent’s operation. I was pleasantly surprised to discover an up-and-coming new vendor at the show called BondHounds.com. They impressed me with their nifty new technology, and with the promise of good things to come through their “one-stop-shop” approach.

It is this writer’s honor to serve the members of PBUS and to be a part of an association that fosters the development and viability of its members. Great speakers, relevant topics, and current information came together fluidly in a venue primed for productive networking and fellowship. The event was refreshingly free of the politics that have plagued and crippled other organizations. The cohesive efforts of the leadership of PBUS should provide a blueprint for all industry organizations that are truly invested in the success and the professionalism of their members.

Although I have just departed the event, I am anticipating 2014’s conference, because this year’s conference functioned as a springboard for future growth and development.

For more information on what you missed, visit 2013 PBUS Winter Conference Video Highlights or subscribe to the AboutBailTV Youtube Channel for the latest bail videos.

About the Author: Alex Price is a nationally-recognized expert on the Art of Skip Tracing and author of Skip Tracers National Certification Program, The Florida Records Guide and The Military Installations Guide and blogger with over 25+ years of experience in skip-tracing, collections and public speaking. Alex began his career with Barnett Bank as a field representative collecting past-due accounts. He then moved to World Omni Finance, where over the next ten years he worked in all aspects of collections and handling the nationwide charge-off skip portfolio.

In 1995, Mr. Price ventured out and opened his own skip-tracing company, Renegade Research, Inc. After 10 years of operating his own successful skip-tracing company, he joined the MasterFiles® team as a Consultant in May of 2006.  Later that same year he accepted the position of National Sales/Training Manager to bring the next generation of skip-tracing technology to the Skip-Tracing industry.

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