MBA/VBA Joint Convention
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
To be held on June 22-25, the 2025 MBA|VBA Joint Convention will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida. The 2025 event will combine a great lineup of speakers on timely topics and networking with bankers and industry providers.
Agenda
Please note that the dress code for all Convention events is resort casual, including polo shirts, shorts, sandals, sundresses, etc.
SUNDAY, JUNE 22
2:30-5:30 p.m. – Registration & Refreshments
Registration Sponsored by The KeyState Companies
5:30-7:00 p.m. – Welcome Reception
Sponsored by Investors Title Insurance Company
MONDAY, JUNE 23
7:00-8:00 a.m. – Registration & Breakfast
Registration Sponsored by The KeyState Companies
Breakfast Session Sponsored by FHN Financial
7:30-11:45 a.m. – General Session, Breakfast Session & Breakout Sessions
8:30-10:00 a.m. – Spouse/Guest Program (see below for more information)
1:15 p.m. – Golf Tournament: Shotgun Start (see below for more information)
8:30-10:00 p.m. – Dessert Reception
TUESDAY, JUNE 24
7:30-8:30 a.m. – Registration & Breakfast
Registration Sponsored by The KeyState Companies
8:00-8:45 a.m. – Association Business Meetings
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – General Session
6:30-10:15 p.m. – Closing Reception, Dinner & Entertainment
Reception Sponsored by Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, SageView, VBA Benefits Corp., VOYA and Williams Mullen
Dinner & Entertainment Sponsored by FHLBank Atlanta
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25
Departure
Registration Information
Registration fees include admission to all Convention business sessions and events.
Please contact Gabby Bond with any convention registration questions. Does your spouse/guest want to receive Convention emails? Don’t forget to include that information in the designated spot on your registration!
| MBA and/or VBA Member Registration | Now-June 22, 2025 |
|---|---|
| MBA and/or VBA Member | $1,295 |
| Spouse/Guest (any guests 21 and older) | $575 |
| Youth Registration (any guests under 21) | Complimentary |
| MBA and/or VBA Non-Member Registration | Through June 22, 2025 |
|---|---|
| MBA and/or VBA Non-Member | $1,850 |
| Spouse/Guest (any guests 21 and older) | $875 |
| Youth Registration (any guests under 21) | Complimentary |
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations before June 19 at noon will be charged a $150 administrative fee. After June 19 at noon, cancellations for main registrants will be charged a $750 administrative fee, however substitutions are always allowed. After June 19 at noon, there will be no refund for spouse/guest registrations.
Event Policies
By registering for this event, you agree to the Event Policies.
Special Needs & Americans with Disabilities Notice
If you have special needs that may affect your participation in this event, please contact Monica McDearmon to discuss accommodations.
Hotel Information
The 2025 MBA|VBA Joint Convention will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. Learn more about the hotel here.
The MBA/VBA room block rates* are available through May 20, 2025, or until the block is full.
*Please note that the room block is full for Saturday, 6/21. Rooms with two queen beds are also sold out at this time. If you would like to be added to the waitlist for either Saturday night or a room with two queen beds, please email Monica McDearmon at mmcdearmon@vabankers.org.
You can make your reservation online here. Reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card. Please note that this is a Marriott property - be sure to have your Marriott rewards number handy when using the link above to make your reservation.
To make a reservation for more than one room in a single transaction, please call the hotel directly at 877-590-8187 and be sure to mention that you are with the MBA/VBA Joint Convention group.
| Room Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Coastal View Room* | $339** |
*Please note that all Coastal View Rooms have either a twin or full-size pull-out chair or sofa.
**Room Rates shown do not include prevailing Room Tax Per Night (currently 11%), $30 per day Resort Fee***, or $25 per day Valet Parking (if required). Total charges presented on the website will include all room fees and taxes.
***The Resort Fee includes the following:
- Two beach chairs and towel service at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Beach Resort
- One beach umbrella
- Driving range access at Tiburon Golf Club
- One fitness or yoga class daily
- Two-hour rental of two resort bicycles
- Wi-Fi access in guestroom
- Shuttle service to and from The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples
- Reservoir water park access at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort for up to four guests per room
Hotel Cancellation Policy
Reservations may be cancelled until more than 7 days prior to arrival without penalty. Cancellations received 7 days or less prior to arrival will assess a one-night room + tax penalty.
Planning Your Trip
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is a 35-minute trip to the resort. Ubers are readily available to and from the hotel.
About The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
280 Vanderbilt Beach Road
Naples, FL 34108
A celebrated icon, the newly transformed Ritz-Carlton, Naples delights with signature experiences on Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches. Relax in expansive spaces with extraordinary ocean views. Iconic experiences and tranquil moments await at this luxury resort in Naples, Florida.
- Learn more about the dining options here.
- Learn more about the spa services here – Convention attendees receive 10% off spa services!
- Learn more about the destination and activities here.
- Learn more about Ritz Kids here.
Keynote Speakers
You can view the keynote speaker bios here.
Washington Update
- John Asbury
Chair, American Bankers Association
CEO, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation - Rob Nichols
President and CEO, American Bankers Association
Join John Asbury and Rob Nichols for an engaging conversation as they provide bankers with an important Washington update and an inside look at how the American Bankers Association (ABA) advocates for the banking industry. This session will offer valuable insights into the latest developments and ABA’s continued efforts to support and strengthen the industry.
The AI Take-off: Implications for Business, the Economy, and the Future of Society
Anton Korinek
Professor, Department of Economics and Darden School of Business, University of Virginia
This talk will examine the ongoing take-off in AI and its implications for businesses, economics, and society. It will start with trends in the scaling of computational power and the unprecedented advancements in recent months, from the development of AI agents to the potential trajectory toward artificial general intelligence (AGI), i.e., AI systems that perform at human levels across the board. We’ll explore how AI is becoming mission-critical for businesses across sectors and creating strong competitive pressures for AI adoption.
We will continue with a discussion of AI’s macroeconomic implications, explaining why the ongoing AI take-off represents a paradigm shift comparable to the Industrial Revolution, turbo-charging productivity growth, and transforming labor markets and financial systems. Finally, we will address broader societal challenges, including the risk of devaluing human labor and the concentration of technological power—critical issues that will pose fundamental challenges within the next two to three years.
12 Strong: An Extraordinary Mission of Commitment, Purpose, Heroism and Hope
Mark Nutsch
Green Beret Commander Portrayed in the Movie 12 Strong & New York Times Best-Seller, Horse Soldiers
Session Sponsored by Bearing Insurance
Green Beret Mark Nutsch takes audiences behind the scenes of the first successful Special Forces campaign that happened in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. Nutsch and his team’s powerful story inspired the major motion picture, 12 Strong, starring Chris Hemsworth as “Mitch Nelson” (Mark Nutsch). The team’s unwavering valor was also fortified by their unique, strategic partnership with their Afghan counterparts. While leveraging guerrilla tactics on horseback, his 12-man team successfully outmaneuvered the full military force of the enemy to a historic victory. On stage, Mark shares insights on leadership and team dynamics in overcoming insurmountable odds in what was described as “the most important mission of the free world.”
Breakfast Session
U.S. Macro Economy
Sophia Kearney-Lederman
Senior Economist, FHN Financial
Session Sponsored by FHN Financial
Sophia will provide an update on the state of the US economy. She will cover everything from growth to inflation and the labor market and what it all means for the Federal Reserve and interest rates in 2025 and beyond.
Breakout Speakers
Acquisition vs. Retention: Balancing Growth and Loyalty
Dailey Betz
Director of Growth, Rivel
Session Sponsored by Rivel Banking Research
As the demand for deposits intensifies, how do you prioritize volume or sustainable quality? This session explores strategies to identify consumer needs within your market, uncover opportunities with your ideal audience, and understand what makes prospects ready for change. Gain actionable insights into striking a balance between acquiring new customers and retaining loyal ones for long-term success.
Thrive in ’25: Essential Skills for Financial Institutions to Succeed
Fabio Biasella
Director of Strategic Services, Engage Fi
Session Sponsored by Engage Fi
Discover the key factors driving the financial services industry in 2025, including using AI as a competitive advantage. How do those factors and current demographic realities determine who is succeeding in the current market and who is losing market share? Examine how the market is evolving, what is driving those changes, and how you can adapt your strategy to remain agile and ensure you do not get left behind.
Winning Combination: Strategy, Culture, and Process Improvement
Tom McGill
Director of Banking Strategy, Profit Resources, Inc.
Session Sponsored by Profit Resources, Inc.
Does your strategic plan contain a component of continuous process improvement, or does it make the list only if there is a significant catalyst for change? Does your bank’s culture support ideas from employees on how to improve processes throughout the company, whether is it is how to serve the clients or operational tasks? In this session, we will take a look at how critical it is to have process improvement as part of the ongoing strategy and culture of your bank. By doing so, your bank will improve operational efficiencies and system utilization, increase employee engagement, and deliver a better client experience.
The Bank M&A Marketplace: What’s Changed…and What Hasn’t
Christopher Olsen
Managing Partner, Olsen Palmer LLC
Session Sponsored by Olsen Palmer LLC
Bank M&A activity accelerated in 2024 as transaction count increased by 25% and total value increased by 300% year-over-year. Buoyed by a likely shift in the regulatory stance under Trump 2.0, the banking industry appears to be on the verge of a sizeable consolidation wave in the years ahead. Accordingly, this session will provide an engaging update on the bank M&A landscape including transaction activity, valuations, deal drivers, key trends, and best practices.
The discussion should be useful to all bank executives and directors for navigating a potential consolidation wave, whether from the perspective of potential sellers, would-be acquirers, prospective merger counterparties, or even those intending to remain fully independent.
Maryland Annual Business Meeting Featured Speaker
Industry Update
Douglas E. Parrott
ICBA Secretary
President & CEO, State Bank of Toulon, Toulon, Ill.
Session information will be available soon!
Welcome Reception
Welcome Reception
Sunday, June 22
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Center Court (weather backup Vanderbilt Ballroom)
Sponsored by Investors Title Insurance Company
Join other Convention attendees on Sunday evening to kick off what is sure to be a great Convention. No registration is required – this event is open to all Convention attendees and guests.
Spouse/Guest Program
Spouse/Guest Program: Explore the Shore
Monday, June 23 | 8:30-10:00 a.m.
About the Program:
Registered spouses and guests are invited to join us for this FREE event. The Explore the Shore program features a one-hour guided walk along Vanderbilt Beach, covering topics such as mangroves, marsh habitats, sea turtles, sharks, and conservation. Participants will also have time for shell collecting and identification. This program is suitable for guests of all ages, but please note that it is not intended as a drop-off program for participants under 18. This event is limited to the first 30 registrants*; please be sure to bring your own water bottle and wear proper footwear for walking along the beach.
You can register online for the Spouse/Guest Program here.
*Registration is limited to the first 30 guests. Please register by June 18 to reserve your spot in the program. Please email Gabby Bond with any changes in plans.
Golf Tournament
Golf Tournament at Tiburón Golf Club
Monday, June 23 | 1:15 p.m. Shotgun Start
About the Tournament:
The tournament is Captain’s Choice (Scramble) and will include:
- Longest drive contests
- Closest to the pin contests
- Cash prizes for winners
- Boxed lunches
The tournament fee is $107 per person, which will be charged to your hotel room account.
You can register online for the tournament here.
*Please note, if you have signed up for the tournament and your plans change, you must cancel before June 8, or the full tournament fee will still be charged to your room. If you register after June 8 and would like to later cancel, your room account will still be charged the full tournament fee. Please contact Gabby Bond with your changes in plans.
Club Rentals & Shipping
Tiburón Golf Club offers Callaway Golf rental clubs. Club rental cost is only $78* and includes two sleeves (6) of Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls and a Callaway/Troon valuables pouch. Callaway club rental selection includes men’s and ladies’ right and left-handed sets. Additional regular and stiff shafted club options are available for men’s (right) sets. For more information on Callaway rental clubs, call the Club directly at (239) 593-2201.
*If you need to rent clubs, please complete the club rental section on the Tournament registration form. Please note that the $78 rental fee must be paid the day of the Tournament in the Pro Shop.
Shipping your clubs to Florida? Through Tiburon’s partnership with Ship Sticks, they’ll make sure your golf clubs arrive at the destination on time and undamaged, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your trip. Click here for more information and to ship your clubs through Ship Sticks to Tiburón.
About the Course:
Located in Naples, Florida, Tiburón Golf Club features two 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed golf courses, The Gold and The Black. Tiburón is home to the LPGA Tour’s CME Group Tour Championship and the PGA TOUR’s Grant Thorton Invitational and the Chubb Classic. It is consistently rated among the top 20 golf facilities in Florida by Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine. Tiburón Golf Club is a 10-minute drive from The Ritz-Carlton; a shuttle will be provided to transport attendees to the Club.
Dessert Reception
Dessert Reception
Monday, June 23
8:30-10:00 p.m.
Poolside at the Family Pool (weather backup Vanderbilt Ballroom and covered loggia)
Join other Convention attendees after dinner on Monday evening to enjoy networking, cordials and desserts around the pool. No registration is required – this event is open to all Convention attendees and guests.
Tuesday Closing Reception, Dinner & Entertainment
Closing Reception, Dinner & Entertainment
Tuesday, June 24
6:30-10:15 p.m.
Reception – Ritz-Carlton Salons 3 & 4, Ritz-Carlton Foyer, Vanderbilt Courtyard and Vanderbilt Loggia
Reception Sponsored by Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, SageView, VBA Benefits Corp., VOYA and Williams Mullen
Dinner & Entertainment – Vanderbilt Ballroom
Dinner & Entertainment Sponsored by FHLBank Atlanta
All Convention attendees are invited to join us on Tuesday evening for our closing reception and dinner to wrap up what is sure to be a great event.
We are pleased to announce that musical entertainment during Tuesday night’s dinner will be provided by the Phase5 Band!
Sponsorship Opportunities
For 2025 Joint Convention sponsorship opportunities, click here. For the complete 2025 Sponsor Brochure, click here. Questions? Contact Amy Binns.