Thank You for Making This Year's Convention a Success!

Thank You for Making the 2017 NABA Convention & Expo a Success!

Top professionals and students from the accounting and finance industry gathered for the 46th NABA National Convention & Expo in New Orleans, LA from June 6-10. It was a week of high-energy networking, relationship building, intensive learning, and recognition for individuals who have contributed to NABA's success and history. Through programs and events at the convention, attendees were positioned to enhance their professional competencies, refine technical skills, and build their personal brand as disruptors of the status quo with the competence, context, and capacity to fulfill the convention theme "DARE to LEAD".

Record Attendance and Growth Continues

With a record number of over 2,250 attendees, the NABA Convention continues to grow year over year. Over the last three years, the NABA Convention has experienced nearly 15% growth in attendance.

"It left me feeling inspired to further participate in the organization, not only for my own personal and professional development but also to "Lift as I Climb" through mentoring." - Nicole A. Brown - HR Professional, Charlotte Chapter

"As a first-time attendee, I was impressed by the topnotch presenters, instructors, and overall experience. I would encourage anyone in the professional services industry to attend this conference." - Jena Myers, Accounting Director, Indiana

Convention News

“It was great to be able to see so many talented diverse men and women from so many different professional areas. Keynote speakers were all on point along with Sherri Shepherd hosting the Awards Gala.” – CFE Certified Fraud Examiner, Mississippi

NABA Reinforced as "Voice" for Diversity & Inclusion

The convention brought numerous speakers who provided valuable insight to the attendees. Featured speakers like Brett Biggs, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Wal-Mart, Kimberly N. Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA, American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), Dr. Calvin Mackie, Partner and Senior Vice-President, Golden Leaf Energy, and special guests Caroline Clarke, Host - Women of Power TV and Editorial Director of Women of Power Summit and Sherri Shepherd, Daytime Emmy Award winner, Actress, Comedienne, and Best-Selling Author, were coupled with a "who's who" of industry leaders and experts in diversity for the Profession.

"NABA National Convention was a life changing experience. I can attest to the fact that I have grown professionally and I feel obligated to be a part of an organization that is constantly striving to uplift minorities." - Ashia Thompson, Student, New York

Highest Honors for NABA members "Unmasked" at Annual Gala

The 2017 Annual Awards Gala was an elegant masquerade ball, emphasized by the theme "Unmasked" to reveal this year's winners - an elite selection of achievers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to reach heights of unique success in their careers, within NABA, in the Profession, their organization or their local community. NABA awarded 17 members with special honors. Most notably, the Frank Ross Outstanding Member of the Year Award was presented to Jeannine K. Brown and the Corporate Diversity Award was given to Crowe Horwath.

High Support from NABA's Corporate Partners

A strong showing of corporate partners were in attendance to recruit the industry's most competent professionals, demonstrate their commitment to creating more diverse and inclusive working environments, and to support the growth of NABA members who are part of their workforce. NABA would like to extend a special thank you to all of the 2017 corporate partners .

"It was an extraordinary experience for me to attend the national convention for the first time. I can say with certainty that I reaped all the benefits of this conference that I had hoped to. I interviewed with an amazing firm that I desire to work for, attended sessions that were very informative, networked with professionals and members from several states and received a scholarship. I hope to be back in Orlando for the next National Convention."

- Jodeen Shillingford, Student, Grambling State University

Students Dare To Take Control of their Futures

For the fourth year in a row, student attendance has surpassed the 200 mark! Through the generous donations from NABA's members and corporate partners, nearly $100,000 in scholarships were awarded to 54 students during the Celebration of Scholars Luncheon, setting another new bar for NABA.

2017 Convention Highlights

Honoring NABA’s Lifetime Members

This year’s VIP Reception and Annual Lifetime Pinning Ceremony welcomed 6 new Lifetime Members to the NABA elite, making this distinguished group now 311 Lifetime Members .

Mardi Gras at NABA Convention

The opening reception kicked off with a Mardi Gras style parade and jazz band at Mardi Gras World! Did you know that once in the “backyard” of the reception mansion that you weren’t really outside? The entire “outdoors” was covered in a starry night motif!

NABA Signature Events

These included an Opening General Session, Reception at Mardi Gras World, C-Suite Power Breakfast, Career Expo, Celebration of Scholars Luncheon, Women of NABA Luncheon, Masquerade Awards Dinner & Gala, Corporate Hospitality Suites, Moonlight Magic Over Orlando After Party, NABA Day of Service, and a Riverboat Lunch Buffet.

The Saint came Marching in for NikeGetFit

The culmination of the NikeGetFit Challenge were the prize giveaways for overall winners and regional winners and meeting New Orleans Saints superstar Cameron Jordan during the Career Expo. The NikeGetFit challenge was sponsored through NABA and Nike leading up to the convention with members.

Thank You for Your Survey Feedback

Raffle Winners

As part of our annual convention we encourage all attendees to complete a survey to tell us about their experience. Attendees who complete the survey can also enter a raffle to win a free registration for the next year's convention. Congratulations Carol Wilson and Jodeen Shillingford !

Convention By the Numbers

2017 Convention Infographic

Thanks for the feedback! The post convention survey provided insights into what attendees experienced and gave us some great ideas how to make it even better. To get a snapshot of what the attendees and the numbers said, check out the 2017 Convention Infographic (click below).

View Convention Infographic.

Capturing Your Best Side

2017 Convention Photos

This year's convention was a fantastic event paired with a perfect location. Those great memories can be experienced all over again when you check out the photos from the 2017 Convention which can be viewed here .

Ready for Orlando? Join us in the Sunshine State in 2018! NABA's National Convention & Expo is being held in Orlando, Florida, June 13-17, 2018 at the Orlando Marriott World Center. For early registration at "pre-registration" rates, please contact NABA Customer Service by phone at 888-571-2939 or by email at [email protected]. View Future NABA Conventions.