AFP 2024 is one of the biggest finance and treasury conferences of the year. This year it takes place in Nashville, making it even more exciting for participants looking to learn, but also enjoy everything the city has to offer. Here’s our take on what not to miss at AFP Nashville 2024.
1. From Automation to Intelligence: A DIY Adventure in RPA, Sunday 1-2pm, Financial Planning & Analysis
Speakers:
- Michelle Crowell, Director of Finance, Nextep, Inc.
- Nikita Miller, FPAC, Director of Facilities and Financial Planning & Analysis, The Kresge Foundation
Session description: Systematic data collection, transformation and analysis are at the root of the success of Treasury and FP&A. While many technologies provide automation and standard reporting, most professionals are presented with gaps in technology that must be addressed.
This session spotlights how one pioneering team successfully eradicated the need for extensive staffing by leveraging cutting-edge robotic process automation (RPA) and data transformation technologies, leading to a profound improvement in accuracy, timeliness, and the seamless distribution of business-critical information. Break free from the shackles of repetitive daily tasks, fostering a future where efficiency, precision, and scalability go hand in hand.
2. Modernizing Customer Collections and Payments, Sunday 2:30-3:30pm, Payments
Speakers:
- Katie Chew, Managing Director, Treasury Operations, United Airlines
- Frank Pertusiello, Director, Solution Sales, Citi
- Kammy Tsang, Senior Director, Treasury, Ripple
Session description: Traditional collection and payment methods have long been plagued by high costs, inefficiencies, manual processes, and delayed settlement. As consumers become more tech-savvy, companies must adapt. In the airline industry, digital payments have transformed ticket purchases and refunds, with passengers seeking a streamlined, real-time, and flexible digital experience.
These innovations in the airline industry also apply to other consumer-facing sectors, driving similar benefits that reduces costs, streamlines operations, improves working capital, and maximizes growth. Join this session to explore these transformative innovations and their broader applications.
3. Revenge of the Tipping Point Sunday 4:30-6:00pm, Keynote
Speaker:
- Malcolm Gladwell
Session description: In his latest book, New York Times bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell, revisits the phenomenon of social epidemics and examines the ways in which we have learned to tinker with and shape the spread of ideas and trends—sometimes with great success, sometimes with disastrous consequences. Today’s epidemics are turbocharged versions of their earlier counterparts, and we are more tempted than ever to try to manipulate tipping points for our own ends.
Treasury and finance professionals need to apply the concept of the tipping point – how small changes can make a big impact - to influence their organization’s success or even the world for the better. In this thought-provoking keynote, Gladwell shares the insights needed
4. Finding Your TMS Soulmate: Swipe Right on Success, Monday 8:30am-9:30am, Treasury Management
Session description: In relationships, you don’t need to find someone who is perfect — you need to find someone who is perfect for you. The same can be said when selecting a TMS. While there is no one perfect TMS, there is one (or more) that is right for you. But how do you know which one to swipe right on?
In this session, two experts in the industry teach attendees how to successfully choose a TMS, covering selection, implementation, and usage, and including an exploration of the practical and realistic applications of the latest technologies (e.g., AI, ML, API), emerging products in the TMS space, and what you should do now.
Speakers:
- Staci Holt, CTP, Sr. Manager, Treasury Operations, Pilot Company
- Tracey Knight, Principal Consultant, SaaS-Y Business Consulting
- Danecia Stewart, Director, Treasury, NextDecade
5. Demystifying Cash Flow Forecasting, Monday 10:30-11:30am, Capital Markets & Investments
Session description: Having a robust cash flow forecast is critical for the financial health of a business both from a day to day operational and long-term strategic perspective. It provides valuable insights that enables companies to make more informed decisions, have better liquidity & working capital management, and instill investor confidence.
Discover how Salesforce’s Treasury team harnesses real-time data to gain visibility into cash and forecast future cash flows. By leveraging industry-leading technologies, they streamline and automate tedious tasks of data extraction and manipulation, and free up time for value-added analysis.
Speakers:
- Brian Krafcheck, Sr Director, Treasury, Salesforce
- Priscilla Yip, Sr. Manager, Treasury, Salesforce
- Timothy Lee, Treasury Manager, Salesforce
6. From Strategy to Execution: Best Practices for Corporate Investments, Monday 1:45-2:45pm, Capital Markets & Investments
Session description: Treasury and financial professionals play a crucial role in managing a company’s financial resources. Understanding how to best deploy excess cash, write an impactful investment policy, and invest strategically are all essential components of their responsibilities. Given the current market volatility and the uncertainty of future economic conditions, treasury professionals must be able to identify and act on opportunities as they arise.
This session explores the essential controls for managing a robust investment program, from investment selection and daily operational management, compliance controls and key performance metrics. Attendees gain valuable insights to elevate their organization’s cash management and investment strategy to the next level.
Speakers:
- Bridget Rodnick, Assistant Treasurer, BioMarin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Jessica Siu, Senior Manager, Treasury, Dropbox, Inc.
- Sara Flour, CTP, Managing Director, RBC Global Asset Management
7. Request for Payments (RFP) a Year Later, Tuesday 8:30-9:30am, Payments
Session description: The U.S. receivables and payments landscape are undergoing a significant transformation, largely driven by the advent and adoption of Request for Payment (RfP) solutions facilitated by instant payment networks such as the RTP® Network and FedNow. These solutions promise to redefine bill payment and Point of Sale (POS) experiences for businesses and consumers alike.
This session not only reflects on the year’s advancements but also charts the course for future developments in RfP solutions and provides attendees with actionable insights for optimized financial operations and customer engagement.
Speakers:
- Joshua Karoly, Director, Payments, Netflix
- Cheryl Gurz, Vice President, RTP Product Management, The Clearing House
- Dean Nolan, Managing Director, Commercial Payments, Strategic Resource Management (SRM), Inc.
- Mike Thomas, SVP Head of Instant Payments, US Bank
8. Masterclass in Change Management for Finance Leaders Adopting Automation & AI, Tuesday 10:30-11:30am, Financial Planning & Analysis
Session description: Technology is changing the world faster than ever. While much has been said about the technical aspects, we must also consider the human element. Maximizing the impact of automation and AI on your finance organization requires changing how people approach their work, not just upgrading the systems that support them.
This interactive discussion explores practical strategies for building awareness and positive engagement across the organization and overcoming barriers to change while creating a culture of feedback and accountability. Attendees learn how to measure and communicate the value of automation and AI to their leadership team to successfully build buy-in for further investment in the finance function.
Speakers:
- Derek Milioni, VP of Finance Transformation, Bakerfield Solutions
- Cassie Wang, SVP, Head of Finance, Lightship Security, Inc.
- Mariya Guttoh, FPAC, Director of FP&A & Treasury, PayJoy
9. Implementing a Treasury Policy in a Newly-Created Treasury Department, Tuesday 2:00-3:00pm, Treasury Management
Session description: In a time of market unpredictability, companies and stakeholders are prioritizing Risk Management. More important than its size, a robust treasury policy is essential for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, managing cash flow, and navigating business volatility, including changes in interest rates.
Teranet addressed these challenges by establishing a dedicated treasury department and creating a new, tailored treasury policy that governs its operations. This session stresses the importance of an effective treasury policy that strikes a balance—being concise, yet comprehensive - that encompasses all treasury functions, promotes accountability and is regularly reviewed at the highest levels.
Speaker:
- John Garofano, CTP(CD), Senior Director, Treasurer, Teranet
10. Virtual/Hybrid Teams: Virtual Meeting Mastery, Wednesday 10:00-11:00am, Principles in Practice
Session description: In this workshop, attendees learn how to master virtual meetings using a specific framework that is rooted in proven best practices. It begins with learning how to start with the end in mind by having a follow up system in place before you go into a meeting. Next, attendees discover how to organize and plan their meetings using a framework to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Discussion includes tactics for effectively running meetings by staying on track and managing participation using tools and tips to guide question asking and listening.
Speaker:
- John Sanchez, Managing Director, The FPA Group
In between sessions, come and learn about Panax at Booth 239 or book a meeting directly. Panax was founded by former finance professionals, to solve the pain suffered by lean finance teams with complex treasury needs. Panax simplifies your cash complexity in one secure, flexible and easy to run platform, so you can minimize cash risk and optimize liquidity. Come along to take part in our raffle to win some awesome Lego prizes (you can pre-register here) and collect a cute baby Panax panda.
And two bonus sessions we also recommend:
Simplifying the World of Cross-border Payments
We are living in the world of everywhere commerce. Social commerce picked up, and companies of all shapes and sizes are starting to support online payments. How can companies looking to venture into this space set up an e-commerce solution that integrates into treasury processes with minimal investment and effort? And how can the more established payment companies make cross-border payments easier and more streamlined to deliver the best user experience for customers?
In this session, hear from treasury and payments professionals across different industries who have successfully integrated international payments into their core product offering, consequently building a new revenue stream for their company.
Speakers
Saif Ashraf, Lead, New Business Treasury Implementations, Google Inc.
Christopher Mager, Senior Director, B2B Connect, Visa
Anand Natarajan, TMT and Fintech Head, Cash Management, Standard Chartered Bank
FX Netting: Untangling Global Intercompany Currency Flows
Approaching a treasurer to discuss their top FX priorities inevitably brings up the elephant in the room: simplifying the intercompany settlement process. This aspect is widely recognized as a significant opportunity for enhancing process efficiency and achieving cost savings, yet it often lingers low on the priority list. But is it as daunting as it seems? Join this session for firsthand details of a successful IC netting program roadmap, and a journey in optimizing an established program amidst decentralized ERP systems. Attendees leave armed with practical tips, innovative tools, and fresh ideas, regardless of where their organization stands on its journey to navigating the global intercompany FX flows.
Speakers
Brandon Larsen, VP of Sales and Trading (Central), GPS Capital Markets
Heber Wygant, Director of Tax & Treasury, Sundyne LLC
Bryan Ritts, Global Cash Manager, Wilsonart LLC
Interested to learn how Panax can help with your cash management needs? Book a meeting directly.
Sign up in advance for our raffle
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