That's what industry representatives and industry regulators alike had to say about the 6th annual AFSA State Government Affairs Forum, as well as the joint meeting with the National Association of Consumer Credit Administrators (NACCA).

Held in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida on September 29 - October 1, 2004 the meeting attracted record attendance and for the first time offered Continuing Legal Education credits for participating attorneys. Members and affiliates from companies engaged in mortgage lending, auto finance, credit cards, and installment lending were present from all over the country. Others in attendance included state association executives and state lobbyists.

The forum featured economist/professor Bill Dunkleberg and Andrew Smith from the FTC, as well as many other accomplished, respected, and internationally renowned speakers and panelists too numerous to mention. Meeting topics included the top five hot topics in consumer credit regulation, the FACT Act, globalization, preemption, arbitration, working with the media, the use of data in lobbying and 2005 legislative trends in the states and Congress. The session formats encouraged audience interaction.

Pollster Frank Luntz gave the attendees a timely glimpse into the debates the upcoming election. Industry representatives and regulators were able to interact at the luncheon roundtables and at the "Meet Your State Regulator" Reception.

Be sure to mark your calendar for next year's conference, September 28-30, Beverly Hills, California, where AFSA and NACCA plan to set even higher standards for participation and content.