NEW ORLEANS – The National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA) will convene its 46th Annual NABA Convention & Expo from June 6 – 10 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, 2 Poydras St.
Event organizers said New Orleans will provide the perfect backdrop for the upcoming week of high-energy networking, relationship building, learning and recognizing individuals who have contributed to NABA’s success and history. More than 2,000 members, partners and guests are expected to attend the convention which is themed “Dare to Lead.”
The 2017 NABA National Convention & Expo will prepare accounting, finance and consulting professionals to succeed in the uncertainty of the emerging professional landscape as bold leaders who can thrive in a constantly changing global economy, event organizers said. By enhancing an understanding of how accounting and finance intersect with other fields and operations, attendees will learn to navigate a future which rewards those with the courage to be first, to pioneer new approaches and to boldly rethink standard practices, they said.
Proficiency in one area of expertise may no longer be enough to advance, yet opportunity abounds for problem-solvers and change agents with the ability to connect people, technologies, disciplines, cultures and ideas from cross-sections of industry and society in new and more effective ways, event organizers said. The 2017 NABA National Convention & Expo will position registrants to enhance their professional competencies, refine technical skills and build personal brands as disruptors of the status quo with the competence, context and capacity to dare to lead.
In what will prove to be a bold and energetic debate, AICPA Chairman Kimberly Ellison-Taylor will interview Walmart Executive Vice President and CFO Brett Biggs about embracing and leveraging change during the Opening General Session, Wednesday June 7, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Event organizers said the breathtaking rate of acceleration in technological advancements and new ways for personal connections has made the workplace of today nearly unrecognizable from that of a decade ago. The pace of change is only quickening, and the fundamental skills of the accounting and finance professional in 2027 may not be obvious today, they said.
Ellison-Taylor will interview Biggs about how his company creates systems to embrace unforeseen changes in the industry, and in commercial and regulatory environments, as well as the evolution of competencies that enable its most valuable employees, contractors and partners to positively leverage change. Attendees will get a glimpse of what’s to come that will help them plot the trajectories of their professional and personal growth. Panelists will discuss the future skills leaders will need in the coming years, exploring the degree to which successful professionals will need to prepare to embrace evolutions in the way people work, interact and conduct business.
NABA reps said they have also added five new scholarships to the NABA Scholarship Program:
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Hidden Figures Scholarship
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Scholarship
• The Kenneth E. and Leslie H. Cooke Scholarship
• The Jamila Abston Scholarship
• The Justin and Desirae Butler Scholarship
These five new scholarships bring NABA’s total dedicated scholarships to 15. Since its inception, NABA has provided more than $11 million in scholarship funds to deserving students preparing to enter various accounting, finance and business professions. In the past two fiscal years (FY2015 and FY2016), NABA awarded more than $250,000 and the amount continues to grow annually, reps said.
National scholarship presentations will be made Thursday, June 8 at the Celebration of Scholars Luncheon.
Prospective donors can donate directly to those scholarship funds, donate to any of the NABA legacy scholarships or make a general donation to support the National Scholarship Program.
View a complete list of scholarships here
Register for the Conference & Expo here