Baltimore Bound

Baltimore hosts attendees of the ARMA (Association of Records Managers and Administrators) International 52nd Annual Conference & Expo, which attracts records information management professionals from around the world with its extensive variety of educational sessions and networking opportunities.

ARMA selected Baltimore for its 52nd Annual Conference & Expo because

ARMA International Executive Director Marilyn Bier adds, "The Baltimore Convention Center itself is a great conference site."

With educational sessions on compliance, e-discovery, privacy issues, records retention and information security, the show targets attendees in records and information management (RIM), general and inside counsels, legal administrators, government RIM and IT professionals, CIOs, IT managers and industry consultants.

Exhibitors at the event include records storage companies, secure information destruction firms, software providers, racking manufacturers and distributors, imaging services providers, document restoration services and box suppliers.

While the convention provides ample opportunity for networking, educational sessions are the hallmark of ARMA’s annual event, and this year’s conference continues that tradition.

"The 2007 ARMA International Conference & Expo offers more educational sessions and new features on the expo floor," Bier says. "We’ve added a couple more pre-conference seminars as well. All of the educational offerings are extremely timely and cover topics and issues critical to all organizations today, including compliance, e-discovery/litigation readiness, collaborative technologies, information security and global records management."

While the conference officially runs from Sunday, Oct. 7, through Wednesday, Oct. 10, attendees can take advantage of pre-conference workshops the preceding Friday and Saturday, including "Records and Information Management: The Fundamentals," and "Records Emergencies and Disasters Happen…Prepare to Survive."

Bier says that 93 percent of last year’s conference attendees said the content and variety of the exhibitors was the show’s primary strength, and this year’s conference promises more of the same.

In fact, Bier recommends that attendees come to the conference ready to learn. "Regardless of how long you’ve been involved in managing records and information, the educational events will help you build the skills and knowledge necessary to excel," she says, adding that the conference can help take attendees’ careers to the next level. "This is where you’ll find the real solutions, best practices and technology tools for all of your records and information management needs."

The conference’s main program is geared toward helping RIM professionals build their practical skills and knowledge. Consultants, experts and RIM practitioners facilitate the educational sessions to help attendees get the most out of their experiences.

The convention also includes roundtable discussions Sunday, Oct. 7, that enable industry professionals to interact with their peers and share ideas and practical solutions. Topics for discussion include "RIM in a Multinational Organization," "Managing Electronic Records," "U.S. Government Industry Focus," "Pharmaceutical Industry Focus" and "Archives Industry Focus."

The educational opportunities don’t stop at the exhibit hall entrance, Bier says. "The exhibitors are great sources of information about trends and hot issues. Bring your questions—bring the challenges you’re facing."

Education sessions available in the exhibit hall are presented by the exhibiting vendors and are product or technology specific. They are broken into three categories:

Of course, while in the exhibit hall, attendees also have the opportunity to peruse the service and equipment offerings of the 200-plus exhibitors.

"Storage and destruction companies are a staple at our show," Bier says. "One of the things we’re particularly proud of is the wide variety of products and services offered by our exhibitors—it truly spans the category of records and information management from the beginning to the end."

She adds, "More than 90 percent of the attendees of the show play some role in the purchase decision. A majority are records and information management professionals, with additional attendees from the IT and legal arena."

The convention also offers two keynote session that are sure to be of interest to attendees.

The former Ohio Congressman behind Sarbanes-Oxley, currently NASDAQ non-executive vice chairman, Michael Oxley addresses attendees Oct. 8 at the opening keynote session. Bier says, "Oxley will talk to us about how, from start to finish, proper management of records and information is key to good governance." He also discusses recent developments with Sarbanes-Oxley and their affect on organizations.

Annette Simmons, a consultant and author of Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins, provides the closing motivational keynote address.

More information on ARMA International’s 52nd Annual Conference & Expo, including a complete event schedule and an exhibitor list, is available at www.arma.org.