We’ve all been to those conferences where the sessions stretch out before us like a Roman road disappearing over the far-away hills into the distance. Even the breaks to be fed and watered look like uphill drudgery. Come on, you know you have.
Not today though. Oh no. Today might be the first time I have felt like I sprinted through the day filling every minute with great speakers, even greater content, insight, analysis and sheer love for the job!
Starting with the brand new video about the ACT (I’ll miss the old music!) and an opening tour de force from Sir Ivan Rogers on Brexit (‘a mess’) the conference delegates hoovered up crystal ball economics, ‘super-duper’ cash transformation projects with wild detours into virtual accounts, investing cash, a regulation master class and developing career skills.
There’s a deeper point here though. As treasurers take forward their role as strategic collaborators in their businesses their ability to piece together the building blocks of business growth, understanding and managing risk will demand they are up to speed with the technology and the language of modern business. What shone brightly was the willingness of delegates and speakers to engage, to share experiences, to appreciate good practice and learn from the mistakes that we all make. Accepting that strategic role will place demands on all of us in the profession – whether service providers, treasurers, educators or professional bodies – to be in the limelight. I’d judge that to be a challenge that today’s treasurers are ready willing and able to meet.
Before anyone knew, it was 5.30 and time for an alcoholic beverage followed by a short coach ride to Liverpool’s Anglican cathedral and hands down the most spectacular venue for a conference dinner anywhere. I’ve had a lot of conference dinners in a lot of venues. Nothing has ever or will ever come close.
Your correspondent retired from the after-dinner fray to do his homework, write his blog and enjoy his cocoa.
@carolinesSCI
Opening poll @actupdate #ACTAC18 shows only 20% of treasurers actually have Brexit plans...
@BottomlineEMEA
The result has changed! What's most important to corporates around real-time payments? Standardisation! It’s about richer features and overlay services #actac18 #realtimepayments #treasury
@jmlw1
ACT audience poll #ACTAC18:
Does you business have too much debt?
45% right amount, 25% too much, 20% Too Little, 10% No debt
@NatWestComm
#CyberSecurity and #Brexit are among the external issues that businesses are most concerned about. #NWPayments #ACTAC18
