Pub. 8 2019 Issue 4

The CommunityBanker 8 F E A T U R E VACB 42nd Annual Convention September 29 - October 1, 2019 Williamsburg Lodge & Conference Center V ACB members gath- ered in Williamsburg for this year’s Annual Convention and Trade Show at The Williams- burg Lodge & Confer- ence Center Septem- ber 29 – October 1, 2019 for three days of learning, fellow- ship and fun. VACB’s continuing formula for convention success was again on full display. ACB’s convention contin- ues to focus on trends in the banking environment, exposure to the latest of- ferings from our Associate Members and great net- working opportunities. Our two Business Sessions were on target with valuable information, insight and inspiration. The morning began with the membership approving the slate of officers for 2020. We are very pleased to have Mike Thomas from Select Bank in Lynchburg enter- ing the process of “mov- ing through the chairs” of the association. Next, Dr. Stephen Happel, Emeritus Professor of Economics from Arizona State University, provided an economic over- view that started with the most recent Blue-Chip Fore- casts for real GDP growth for this year and next. He then reviewed them from an historical perspective. Dr. Happel also reviewed state job growth numbers in Virginia and concluded the session with a look at the Trump administration and its impact on the overall economy. A humorous economist? He does exist! Next, Walter McNairy and Lauren Callahan with Dixon Hughes Goodman presented a session on com- prehending credit marks, including M&A and CECL impacts. Our final speaker