Following the success of October’s first-ever hybrid FGIA event, I am looking forward to seeing our members again at the 2022 FGIA Hybrid Annual Conference in Amelia Island, FL! The conference schedule is available, and I am proud to say it is full of technical content and engaging speakers, thanks to our staff team’s hard work and participant feedback.

First of all, I know our keynote speaker will be an engaging one – his story is so interesting, Hollywood chose to adapt it in the popular film, Catch Me If You Can. A former con man-turned-FBI Academy educator, Frank Abagnale will discuss how simple strategies can thwart today’s cyber criminals. With vivid examples, Abagnale will reveal how identity thieves work, why passwords aren’t keeping people safe and why safeguarding oneself and one’s business are particularly important today.

Additional conference speakers and presenters include an economist and a trio of safety trainers. Participants will also engage in a roundtable discussion on embracing innovation in the windows sector and an update on the proposed ENERGY STAR® Version 7 criteria. Other across the board sessions for both in-person and virtual participants will cover news from the regulatory and legislative realms pertaining to both the U.S. and Canada.

Monday’s optional events before the 2022 FGIA Hybrid Annual Conference sessions begin the next day include the traditional Rich and Diane Walker Cup golf tournament, a Segway tour around Amelia Island and a kayak tour. Separate registration is required for these events. Also on Monday will be the 2022 FGIA Southeast Region Exclusive Session, a members-only event that can be attended either in person or virtually. To round out this kick-off day, the welcome reception will take place Monday night – a great opportunity to see who’s who at the conference at large.

Finally, don’t miss the Annual Awards Banquet, which has a theme this year of “Party Like It’s 1922: A Night of Glitz and Glam.” Break out the beaded dresses and feathered accessories to dress the part at this dinner, where awards will be given out to the FGIA members who made an impact during the previous year of the Association’s activities.

Are you participating in the 2022 FGIA Hybrid Annual Conference? Let me know what you are looking forward to most in the comments below!