MBA/VBA Joint Convention
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

Conference/Seminar/School Chandler Owdom Monica McDearmon Amy Binns

To be held on June 2-5, the 2024 MBA/VBA Joint Convention will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island in Florida. The 2024 event will combine a great lineup of speakers on timely topics and networking with bankers and industry providers. 

Register Now!

Agenda

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

2:00-5:00 p.m. – Registration & Refreshments

5:30-7:00 p.m. – Welcome Reception

MONDAY, JUNE 3

7:00-8:00 a.m. – Registration & Breakfast

7:30-8:15 a.m. – Breakfast Session

8:30-11:45 a.m. – General Session & Breakout Sessions

9:30-10:30 a.m. – Spouse/Guest Program (see below for more information)

1:00 p.m. – Golf Tournament: Shotgun Start (see below for more information)

9:00-10:30 p.m. – Dessert Reception

TUESDAY, JUNE 4

7:15-8:30 a.m. – Registration & Breakfast

8:00-8:45 a.m. – Association Business Meetings

9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – General Session & Breakout Sessions

2:00-4:00 p.m. – Fun in the Sun Social (see below for more information)

6:30-10:15 p.m. – Closing Reception & Dinner

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

Departure

Please note that the dress code for all Convention events is resort casual, including polo shirts, shorts, sandals, sundresses, etc.

Registration Information

Register Now!

MBA and/or VBA Member Registration  Through March 31, 2024 April 1-June 2, 2024
MBA and/or VBA Member $1,095 $1,195
Spouse/Guest (any guests 21 and older) $550 $550
Youth Registration (any guests under 21) Complimentary Complimentary
MBA and/or VBA Non-Member Registration  Through June 2, 2024
MBA and/or VBA Non-Member $1,750
Spouse/Guest (any guests 21 and older) $850
Youth Registration (any guests under 21) Complimentary

Register by March 31 for a Chance to Win a Two-Night Stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples – the Site of the 2025 MBA/VBA Joint Convention!

Convention attendees who register* by March 31 will be entered into a raffle to win a two-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples in Florida – site of the 2025 MBA/VBA Joint Convention. 

*Member bankers only. Exclusions will apply and will be communicated to the winner.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations before May 30 at noon will be charged a $150 administrative fee. After May 30 at noon, cancellations for main registrants will be charged a $750 administrative fee, however substitutions are always allowed. After May 30 at noon, there will be no refund for spouse/guest registrations.

Event Policies

By registering for this event, you agree to the Event Policies.

Special Needs & Americans with Disabilities Notice

If you have special needs that may affect your participation in this event, please contact Monica McDearmon to discuss accommodations.

Hotel Information

The 2024 MBA/VBA Joint Convention will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Learn more about the hotel here.

The MBA/VBA room block rates are available through May 1, 2024. Reservations made after the cutoff date will be based on rate availability.

You can make your reservation online here. Reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card. Please note that this is a Marriott property - be sure to have your Marriott rewards number handy when using the link above to make your reservation.

  • Please note that the hotel is sold out for Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1. To be added to the waitlist for either of those nights, please email Michelle Caldwell at michelle.caldwell@ritzcarlton.com and mention that you are with the MBA/VBA Joint Convention group. You will still need to make your hotel reservation for any nights you wish to stay from 6/2-6/5 using the reservation link above or by calling the hotel directly at 1-904-277-1100.

To make a reservation for more than one room in a single transaction, please call the hotel directly at (904) 277-1100 and be sure to mention that you are with the MBA/VBA Joint Convention group.

Room Type Rate
Coastal View Room $339*

*Room Rates shown do not include prevailing Room Tax Per Night (currently 12%), $30 per day Resort Activity Package**, or $25 per day Valet Parking (if required).  Total charges presented on the website will include all room fees and taxes.

**The Resort Activity Package includes the following: Wi-Fi ($19.95 savings per day); fitness class for 2 guests; beach umbrella and 2 beach chairs; 2 boogie boards; 2 bikes for 2 hours; use of practice facilities and one bag of range balls for 2 guests at golf club; and access to tennis court with racquets/balls for 1 hour.

Hotel Cancellation Policy

Reservations canceled within seven days of arrival will be charged both the first and last night’s room and tax. Guests who neither arrive nor cancel reservations will be charged room and tax for the duration of the confirmed stay. Guests departing before their confirmed departure will be charged room and tax for all remaining nights of the reservation.

Planning Your Trip

Jacksonville International Airport is a 35-minute trip to the resort. 

About The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
4750 Amelia Island Parkway
Amelia Island, Florida 32034

A barrier island sanctuary of nature nestled along 13 miles of immaculate shorelines in North Florida, The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island stands as an exquisite testament to refined luxury. This Amelia Island resort beckons with an allure of southern charm, where vistas seamlessly embody the sublime essence of this beachfront resort on Amelia Island. 

  • Learn more about the dining options here.
  • Learn more about the spa services here - Convention attendees receive 10% off spa services!
  • Learn more about the destination and activities here.

You can learn more about Amelia Island here.

About The Golf Club of Amelia Island

The Golf Club of Amelia Island is adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton and within walking distance of the resort. Looking to book a tee time during your time in Amelia Island? Please contact The Golf Club of Amelia Island directly at 904-277-0012. Please note that tee times can only be booked one month in advance.

For Convention attendees interested in playing in the Golf Tournament, please see below for more information. 

Keynote Speakers

Additional speaker information will be available soon!

Monday Breakfast & Breakout Session Speakers

Monday Breakfast Session

Economic Update
Dr. Lindsey Piegza | Chief Economist, Stifel
Session Sponsored by Stifel

Chief Economist Dr. Lindsey Piegza will look at the current state of the economy and what it means going forward for overall growth, interest rates and monetary policy. She will cover macroeconomic trends in consumer spending and investment, in addition to new monetary and fiscal policy initiatives and the potential economic effects of these changes. She will also examine the changing global and political environment, and how it will affect the economy. Participants will leave this session able to advise management teams on the possible effect of economic issues on their organizations.

Monday Breakout Sessions

Your Bank Needs a Payments Strategy
Marisa Reynolds | SVP, Fintech & Vendor Relations, Genesys Technology Group
Session Sponsored by Genesys Technology Group

In today’s digital age, financial institutions cannot afford to overlook the significance of developing a comprehensive payment strategy to stay competitive and meet customer expectations. This session serves as a wake-up call for financial institutions to assess their current payment landscape, recognize the importance of a well-defined payment strategy, and adapt to the evolving customer expectations and technological advancements in the industry.

 

Bank M&A: Market Update, Key Trends, and Best Practices
Christopher Olsen | Managing Partner, Olsen Palmer LLC
Session Sponsored by Olsen Palmer LLC

The banking industry appears to be on the verge of a sizeable consolidation wave. M&A activity was sluggish of late due to a host of factors, including the FOMC’s tightening efforts and the resulting unrealized bond losses that emerged. However, the languid level of activity of late is increasingly looking like less of an extinguishment of M&A and more of a deferral of dealmaking into future periods as the tectonic forces driving consolidation in recent decades still hold and, in fact, have seemingly become more stout. Indeed, behind the scenes, merger discussions have been gathering momentum among both prospective sellers and would-be buyers alike. This session will provide an engaging update on the bank M&A landscape including transaction activity, valuations, deal drivers, key trends, and best practices. The discussion should be useful to all bank executives and directors for navigating a potential consolidation wave, whether from the perspective of potential sellers, would-be acquirers, prospective merger counterparties, and even those intending to remain fully independent.

Tuesday Breakout Sessions

Banking on a Sustainable Future-Opportunities for Community Banks to Finance Renewable Energy Projects
Josh Miller | CEO, The KeyState Companies 
Seth Winter | Partner, Troutman Pepper 
Session Sponsored by The KeyState Companies

While financing renewable energy has long been seen as mainly the domain of larger banks and corporations, solar tax equity investments can offer community banks an attractive inroad into renewable energy finance. The investment offers a compelling return profile and GAAP earnings impact, enhances a bank’s current corporate sustainability efforts and, in some cases, can qualify for CRA. Josh and Seth will provide a detailed overview of solar tax equity and the regulatory framework that they need to consider and follow when making a solar tax equity investment and what is required for CRA credit.  Since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, the solar tax equity marketplace has shifted significantly.  Josh and Seth will discuss the opportunities and challenges that community banks face.

Clarity Amidst the Chaos
Jason Clayton | Director, Performance Trust Capital Partners
Session Sponsored by Performance Trust Capital Partners

Entering 2023, industry-wide tools for assessing interest rate risk had created a false sense of security that would manifest itself in substantial – possibly fatal – margin compression in the year ahead.  Hidden in plain sight, most would not recognize the danger until the bank failures that occurred later in the first quarter, and even then many failed to acknowledge it on their own balance sheets. Capital allocation decisions in banking have long suffered from a narrow view of future shareholder value in a world where volatility and uncertainty are constant truths. This session introduces a dynamic framework for evaluating shareholder returns across multiple future scenarios to provide for greater sustainability of earnings over time.  It is more difficult than ever to develop and execute on strategy, effective CEOs must operate within a process that instills confidence and clarity.           

Welcome Reception

Welcome Reception
Sunday, June 2 
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Investors Title Insurance Company

Join other Convention attendees on Sunday evening to kick off what is sure to be a great Convention. No registration is required – this event is open to all Convention attendees and guests.

Spouse/Guest Program

Spouse/Guest Program: Turtle Tour & Nature Walk
Monday, June 3
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Sponsored by S&P Global Intelligence Market​

Registered spouses and guests are invited to join us for this FREE event, which will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday morning. This nature walk will be focused on the local gopher tortoises, which can be spotted in a number of areas on the property at The Ritz-Carlton. The tour will offer a history of turtles in the area and related conservation efforts, as well as other information on local flora and fauna. This event will take place on the beach near the dunes in order to gain close access to a gopher tortoise nest without disturbing the dunes! This event is limited to the first 35 registrants; please be sure to bring your own water bottle and wear proper footwear for walking along the beach.

You can register* for the Spouse/Guest Program here

*Registration for this program is free but is limited to the first 35 guests. Please register by May 24 to reserve your spot in the program. Please email Gail Queen with any changes in plans.

Golf Tournament

Golf Tournament at The Golf Club of Amelia Island
Monday, June 3
1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start

Thank You to the Following Golf Tournament Sponsors:
Vericast – Tournament Sponsor
Banc Card of America – Boxed Lunches Sponsor
Community Bankers’ Bank – Golf Bag Tags
ChaseCompGroup, Banc Card of America, and Profit Resources Inc. – Golf Hole Sponsors

About the Tournament:

The tournament is Captain’s Choice (Scramble) and will include:

  • Longest drive contests
  • Closest to the pin contests
  • Cash prizes for winners
  • Boxed lunches

The tournament fee is $192.60 per person, which will be charged to your hotel room account. 

You can register* for the tournament here. Please complete the form for each player you would like to register for the tournament.

*Please note, if you have signed up for the tournament and your plans change, you must cancel before May 17 or the full tournament fee will still be charged to your room. If you register after May 17 and would like to later cancel, your room account will still be charged the full tournament fee. Please contact Gail Queen with your changes in plans.

About the Course:

The Golf Club of Amelia Island features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by PGA Tour veteran Mark McCumber and golf legend Gene Littler. The course offers challenging yet fun play with strategically placed bunkers and shifting ocean breezes and is lush and meticulously maintained. The Golf Club of Amelia Island is adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton and within walking distance of the resort.

Club Rental & Shipping Information:

A limited number of golf clubs are available for rent through the hotel at a rate of $74 plus tax (golf balls not included), which will be charged to your hotel room account. You will need to specify if the clubs should be left or right-handed and men’s or women’s. You can reserve your rentals when you register for the Tournament here. The deadline to reserve or cancel club rentals is May 17.

Shipping your clubs to Florida? Use this address:

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Attn: MBA/VBA Joint Convention Golf Tournament Storage
4750 Amelia Island Parkway
Amelia Island, Florida 32034

The Golf Club can also assist with shipping clubs home for you. If you ship via Ship Sticks, you will need to provide The Golf Club with the pre-paid and pre-printed return label.

Dessert Reception – Cordials & S’mores

Dessert Reception – Cordials & S’mores
Monday, June 3
9:00-10:30 p.m.
Ocean Front Lawn
Sponsored By VBA Benefits Corporation, Voya, SageView and Marsh McLennan Agency

Join other Convention attendees after dinner on Monday evening to enjoy networking, cordials and s’mores around the fire. No registration is required – this event is open to all Convention attendees and guests.

Fun in the Sun Social

Fun in the Sun Social
Tuesday, June 4
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Sponsored by R&T Deposit Solutions

Join us to socialize with your friends and colleagues. Enjoy an open bar and casual lawn games like cornhole, giant Jenga and Connect Four. Stop by after lunch or come by before your swim – feel free to come dressed as you are!  No registration is required – this event is open to all Convention attendees and guests.

Closing Reception & Dinner

Closing Reception, Dinner & Entertainment
Tuesday, June 4
6:30-10:15 p.m.
Ocean Front Lawn and Salon 1, 2 and 3
Sponsored by Bankers Insurance (Closing Reception) and FHLBank Atlanta (Dinner & Entertainment)

All Convention attendees are invited to join us on Tuesday evening for our closing reception and dinner to wrap up what is sure to be a great event.

We are pleased to announce that musical entertainment during Tuesday night’s dinner will be provided by Band of Oz!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Interested in sponsoring the 2024 Convention? Click here for those opportunities. For the full 2024 Sponsor Brochure, click here. Contact Amy Binns to learn more!