New York State Professional Process Severs Association Annual Convention
by Kim Letus
Let’s see, where should I start?
Our annual conventions, while somewhat well-attended, still only host a fraction of our membership each year. I continue to be impressed and appreciative that some of the industry leaders put aside the time to attend our annual NYPSSA conventions. NAPPS Administrator Gary Crowe and NAPPS Directors Bob Musser, John Perez and Eric Vennes come immediately to mind. And this list wouldn’t be complete without mention of our own NYPSSA President Larry Yellon, who is also President of NAPPS. The presence of the NAPPS contingency was especially noteworthy this year, in the wake of the significant support that NAPPS has shown NYPSSA in its negotiations and lawsuit with the City of New York.
There are others who travel to the convention as well. This year, I had the privilege of having dinner at our banquet with the folks from Reliable Legal Services of Toronto, Canada, who had made the trip down to Saratoga. It is therefore especially baffling to me that so many of our own members choose not to attend the convention or any portion thereof. I don’t think they realize what they’re missing.
Eight Great Reasons to Attend the NYPSSA Conventions
Your presence at the convention will positively impact your business.
The benefits to your business include:
- Meeting folks like the aforesaid industry leaders, which is nothing less than an honor and a privilege.
- Helping keep you abreast of what is happening in our industry and what steps you should take to make your business adaptable to industry changes. Which brings us to #3 below.
- Unity as a group: Where would process servers in New York City be right now had it not been for the intervention of NYPSSA and the untiring work of Larry Yellon, Bill Mlotok and Rob Gillis, to name a few, to rein in the DCA? I know the current rules are no walk in the park, but it could have been much, much worse.
- Interacting with clients and making business contacts and putting a face with the names/voices on the telephone. One of the highlights of the convention for me this year was finally meeting Nancy from Alexander Poole, with whom I’ve had a very friendly telephone relationship for years – decades in fact! (Nancy, as you know, I think you’re just wonderful!) As a bonus, I also had the privilege of meeting Chris Warner of Alexander Poole. Every time I attend our conventions, I have similar experiences. It’s incredibly rewarding. I have also picked up several new clients along the way.
- Opportunity to speak with vendors and obtain documentation about available softwares and insurance and benefits packages. With how busy we all are, this type of thing often gets put on the back burner. Seeing what is available makes you take stock of ways to improve every day procedures.
- The trip is tax deductible as a business expense.
- Continuing education and availability of certification classes.
- And, finally, we always have a wonderful time! The poker tournament, the banquet, telling your favorite road stories and commiserating with those in the same boat you are in. There’s nothing like it.
Long story short, I’d love to see more of you at the convention next year. I guarantee you will be glad you went. And for those of you who did attend, thank you for supporting our organization and participating.