Pub. 6 2017 Issue 4

The CommunityBanker 8 President’s Message By Steve Yeakel, CAE VACB President & CEO Great Expectations: Fulfilled and . . . M E S S A G E I just can’t help it. I must take one more brief look back at a truly historic convention. Great expectations were fulfilled! And speaking of great expectations . . . just when you thought the regulatory relief bandwag- on was just driving in another circle, a bipartisan group of committed US Senators produced S. 2155, containing numerous provisions that address the top concerns on many bankers’ lists. I’m writing this as the December 5 hearing in Senate Banking has just been announced, and would not even hazard a guess as to where we’ll be as you read this magazine a few weeks later. But how about that 40th convention? We had the best of everything, and it started with ter- rific planning. Our committee of bankers and venders were creative in their suggestions, Chair - man Alice Frazier provided some key insights, and Katharine built an inviting program that featured a great balance of new and old. Member commitment is the key to success in any association endeavor, and our leadership bankers stepped up, making contacts with their peers, recruiting sponsors, registering early, bring- ing directors and senior staff with them. Associate members also stepped up, providing early registrations and sponsorships. In addition to all the work that goes into a convention, we embraced the tasks that make a special celebration . . . special! Extra work went into developing the “VACB, Then and Now” panel, and the convention memory book was a true labor of love. Long hours for Katharine, but it was worth it, and she enjoyed doing it.