Columbia Ultimate Art of Success 2009 Conference to Discuss Achieving Success in Challenging Economy

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Columbia Ultimate, an expert in technology and integrated solutions for the collection industry, announced today that its annual client conference Art of Success will take place in Vancouver, Wash., October 5 – 9, 2009.  Registration is now open, which can be accessed by visiting www.columbiaultimate.com.

This year’s conference with the theme “Soaring to New Heights” will bring together industry professionals and leaders from collection agencies, government and healthcare industries to discuss, share and learn about solutions that help improve overall collectability and profitability.  Discussion topics will include the use of integrated analytics, performance dashboard, and call management technologies to assist agencies in reducing costs and recovering more debt in these challenging economic times.

The conference will also feature:

• Five-track sessions covering the latest industry trends, best practices, leadership development, team building, performance and workflow improvement, and product and technology updates
• Two full days of complimentary hands-on training 
• Networking opportunities with industry peers, technology partners and Columbia Ultimate Client Care teams

“Columbia Ultimate’s Art of Success conference has provided our organization with tremendous learning and networking opportunities which is why we feel that this conference is one that we can’t afford to miss, “ said Ryan McBride, IT Director, Bonneville Billing & Collections. “In these uncertain economic times, Art of Success allows us to gain knowledge and insight into what other agencies are doing to solve similar issues in the marketplace.”

The Art of Success has become a valuable platform for the collection industry and is one of the most highly attended events in the industry. Columbia Ultimate clients gain knowledge on techniques to drive organizational excellence and to retain a lasting competitive advantage through delivering higher levels of client satisfaction.  Each year, the conference features a series of sessions and workshops on leadership and technology innovation, as well as discussions on latest industry trends and issues.

“Collection agencies are faced with a growing number of placements and consumers who are struggling to pay. Maximizing collection success in the current, volatile economy requires a new set of strategies, meticulous financial oversight and advanced technology solutions,” said R. Fred Houston, president and CEO, Columbia Ultimate.  “This year’s conference will include a robust educational program to help our clients achieve greater levels of success with collections, both today and in the years to come.”

About Columbia Ultimate
Columbia Ultimate is an expert in delivering integrated technology solutions and services for enhancing business intelligence, maximizing performance and profitability for the collection industry.  Since 1979, the company has led the ongoing innovation in collection technology delivering results-oriented offerings that empower organizations to effectively manage and address new and growing challenges in an ever-increasing competitive collection environment. Today, collection agencies, banks, healthcare and retail organizations, along with state, county and local governments across the country rely on Columbia Ultimate for their collection needs.

Columbia Ultimate is privately held with headquarters in Vancouver, Wash. For more information, visit www.columbiaultimate.com.