Events - Joint Conference Recap
Recap of 2022 Joint Conference
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NFPA's 2022 Joint Conference was held on May 19-21, 2022, in Minneapolis, MN. A virtual participation option was also offered. Review the event details here and purchase the CLE session recordings.
Recap of 2021 Virtual Joint Conference
NFPA's 2021 Joint Conference was held virtually on June 11-13, 2021. This virtual event afforded NFPA members the opportunity to access valuable information regarding association leadership, certification and regulation within the paralegal profession from the comfort of their own home or office. Review the event details here.
Recap of 2020 Joint Conference
Event Update - March 13, 2020
Given the unique circumstances concerning COVID-19, public health concerns, and the timing of the NFPA joint Conference in Tampa, FL April 24-26, 2020, the NFPA Board of Directors, and Management-HQ staff have been actively monitoring developments in the spread of and the WHO/CDC response to COVID-19. Due to the widespread virus, isolation, and various travel related restrictions, the NFPA Board of Directors and Joint Conference Committee have made the decision to cancel Joint Conference this year in order to ensure that our members are not put at additional risk for contracting the virus by traveling.
Joint Conference Registration Fees will be refunded to the credit card used to pay for the registration.
The Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor Cancellation policy for guest rooms: Individual Rooms must be cancelled 7 days prior to arrival.
Social Event at Columbia Restaurant Cancellation policy: Tampa Bay Paralegal Association will work with PayPal to process refunds and will be in touch with individuals.
Please contact me with any additional questions.
Nita Serrano, RP, AACP
NFPA President
About the Joint Conference
The annual NFPA Joint Leadership, Certification, and Regulation Conference is one of the most popular and most beneficial gatherings for paralegal leaders in their local association and their community. Attendees have the opportunity to share and network with professionals regarding association leadership, certification and regulation within the paralegal profession.
2020 NFPA Joint Conference
April 24-26, 2020
Hillsborough Community College, Ybor City Campus
2112 N 15th Street
Tampa, FL 33605
Hosted by the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association
Registration Information
Register Online!
Registration will close on March 25
Conference registration: $50 per day**
Friday night happy hour: non-hosted event, details TBA
Saturday night dinner/social hour: $50 (this event is hosted by the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association)
**Please note: when budgeting your food allowances, neither a hot breakfast or continental breakfast will be provided. We recommend that you take advantage of the hot breakfast offered at the conference hotel (available for $10.95, plus tax). Alternatively, there are many local restaurants and coffee shops within walking distance of the hotel and school.
Daily Conference Schedules
Click here to see the 2020 Leadership Conference schedule: Friday, April 24
Click here to see the 2020 Certification Conference schedule: Saturday, April 25
Click here to see the 2020 Regulation Conference schedule: Sunday, April 26
Schedules are subject to change as necessary
Hotel Information
Hilton Garden Inn
1700 East 9th Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33605
813-769-9267
A block of rooms at a special discounted rate has been reserved for Joint Conference at the Hilton Garden Inn in Tampa. Book your room before the discount ends on March 25!
Sponsorship and Exhibitor
View available opportunities
Secure your sponsorship or exhibit space
The 2020 Joint Conference Committee is hard at work finalizing the details for the Joint Conference and will update information on this page as it becomes available.
Recap of 2019 Joint Conference
April 26-28, 2019
Denver, Colorado
Hosted by the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association
Thank you to our host committee from the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association for putting on a successful event.
Friday, April 26 - Certification Conference
Saturday, April 27 - Regulation Conference
Sunday, April 28 - Leadership Conference
Exhibitors & Sponsors
Recap of 2018 Joint Conference
April 27-29, 2018
Lexington, Kentucky
Hosted by the Greater Lexington Paralegal Association
It was a great three days in Lexington, KY. Thank you to host committee Greater Lexington Paralegal Association and Lexington area paralegals for making everyone feel welcome. View the photo albums on Facebook and watch for more reports from the Joint Conference in upcoming editions of News You Can Use.
Friday, April 27 - Regulation Conference
Saturday, April 28 - Certification Ambassadors
Sunday, April 29 - Leadership Conference
Thank you to the 2018 Joint Conference supporters!
Break Sponsor
Exhibitor
Recap of 2017 Joint Conference
The New York City Paralegal Association (NYCPA) hosted NFPA's 2017 Joint Conference April 28-30 at the offices of Duane Morris LLP in New York City, New York, right in Times Square. NYCPA celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and the schedule was as follows:
Friday, April 28 – Sunday, April 30: Pro Bono Conference
Friday, April 28: Leadership Conference
Keynote Speaker: Hon. Lippman, Chief Judge of NY Court of Appeals, Ret.
Advocate for access to justice and the Navigator program
Saturday, April 29: Certification Conference
Sunday, April 30: Regulation Conference
Keynote Presentation: Justice Delayed is Justice Denied – Equal Access to the Courts
Marty Tankleff, J.D., NYS Exoneree, Paralegal, Public Speaker
Vice President, Absolutely Innocent
Exoneree Advisory Committee Member, Innocence Project
Wrongfully convicted, Mr. Tankleff spent over 17 years (precisely 6,338 days) incarcerated. Following his release in 2007, he set to work obtaining a B.A. in Sociology and obtained his J.D. in 2014. Mr. Tankleff will discuss his case, life experience, and what he went through to gain justice in court. He will also discuss how difficult it is for innocent or wrongly convicted people to obtain justice.
Exhibitors
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CT Corporation
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The George Washington University |
Inter County Judicial Services |
Service Partners Information Co.
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Recap of 2016 Joint Conference
NFPA’s 2016 Joint Conference, hosted by the Kansas Paralegal Association, was held at Newman University in Wichita, Kansas from April 29 – May 1, 2016. Check out the 2016 NFPA Joint Conference Facebook Page!
In addition to three days of learning and networking, the Kansas Paralegal Association organized a happy hour event at Lou’s Charcuteria & Cocktails on Friday, April 29, 2016. Conference attendees, vendors, special guests and local members networked and socialized with national representatives and leaders, enjoying cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a raffle drawing. Proceeds from the raffle were donated to the Newman University Paralegal Program for use as a scholarship for students in the program.
The NFPA Regulation Conference was held Friday, April 29, 2016, the NFPA Leadership Conference was held Saturday, April 30, 2016 and the NFPA Certification Ambassadors Conference was held Sunday, May 1, 2016.
Recap of 2015 Joint Conference
NFPA's 2015 Joint Conference took place on May 1-3, 2015 in Portland, Oregon – the City of Roses! Hosted by the Oregon Paralegal Association, it was held at the Standard Insurance Center in downtown Portland.
Regulation Conference - Friday, May 1, 2015 - 5 CLE credits
Certification Ambassadors Conference - Saturday, May 2, 2015 - 1 CLE credit
Leadership Conference - Sunday, May 3, 2015 - 4 ethics CLE credits
Each conference was $35 for NFPA members; non-members could attend the Regulation conference for $75. Lunches were $13 each.
Social Events
The Oregon Paralegal Association (OPA) organized social events on both Friday and Saturday evenings. Friday's event was a cocktail party with hors d'oeuvres in the Standard Insurance Center. Immediately after the cocktail party, OPA made arrangements for anyone interested to meet for a no host dinner and/or drinks at Rock Bottom Brewery, which is located at 206 SW Morrison Street in Portland. Saturday's event was a dinner cruise on the Portland Spirit.
Sponsors
2014 Joint Conference Recap
Held March 21-23, 2014 at Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, MA.
Regulation Conference
Friday, March 21
The Regulation Conference had two presentations NFPA approved for CLE credit: Ethical Billing and You (1 Ethics CLE credit) and Legislative Drafting for Regulation (1 General CLE credit)
Download the agenda. (PDF)
Lunch was pizza, tossed salad, drink and dessert.
Certification Conference
Saturday, March 22
The Certification Ambassadors Conference had one presentation NFPA approved for CLE credit: And They’re Off! The Race to Take PACE/PCCE (1 General CLE credit)
Download the agenda. (PDF)
Lunch was a boxed lunch with sandwich, drink, chips, cookie and whole fresh fruit.
Leadership Conference
Sunday, March 23
The Leadership Conference had three presentations NFPA approved for CLE credit: Delegation & You: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (1 General CLE credit), The Artful Delegation of Leadership Roles Through the Eyes of the NFPA President (1 General CLE credit), and How to Speak with Others So Others Know How to Follow (1 General CLE credit)
Download the agenda. (PDF)
Lunch was a boxed lunch with sandwich, drink, chips, cookie and whole fresh fruit.
Hotel
NFPA negotiated a non-blocked discount rate at the Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill (30 Washington Street, Somerville, MA 02143) for delegates at $109 per night, which included free WiFi, complimentary parking, and use of their shuttle service within 3 miles of the hotel. Rate was available through March 7, 2014.
A list of recommended hotels in the immediate area was also available for attendees to choose from based on their travel needs.
Social Scenes
The Massachusetts Paralegal Association has organized a fabulous cocktail hour social on Saturday night at Ned Devine’s Irish Pub in Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This historic setting dates back to 1742. The event was from: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and cost $20 to cover some tasty hors d’oeuvres. Dress was casual.
Friday night’s “no-host” dinner was at 99 Restaurant & Pub across the street from Bunker Hill Community College.
Printed Materials Sponsor
The VOICE of Public Record and Corporate Service Providers.
2013 Joint Conference Recap
April 19-21, 2013 at the Downtown Marriott, Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.
Regulation Conference
Friday, April 19
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Registration opened at 8:00 AM
FREE to NFPA members
Non-Members could attend for $75
Lunch (optional) was $20 per person
NFPA Approved for 4 CLE Credits, 2 of which are Ethics.
Topics included:
- Regulation Update
- Working with Bar Associations
- Legislative Overview
- Ethics of Regulating the Paralegal Profession
- Lobbyists: How Can They Help?
We had a special guest speaker for regulation! Louisiana State Representative Walt Leger, III currently serving as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Louisiana House of Representatives.
Download the Regulation Conference Agenda. (PDF)
Leadership Conference
Saturday, April 20
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Registration opened at 8:00 AM
FREE to NFPA members
Lunch (optional) was $20 per person
Topics included:
- Developing Your Own Leadership Style and Potential
- The Many Personalities of Your Board of Directors
- Building the Leader / Follower Relationship
- Using Social Media to Engage and Retain Your Membership
- Volunteer Training, Recruitment and Retention
Download the Leadership Conference Agenda. (PDF)
Download the "Leveraging Social Media To Enhance the 2013 NFPA National Leadership Conference" article (PDF) and join us on Twitter!
Certification Conference (two days)
Saturday, April 20
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday, April 20
9:00 AM to Noon
Registration opened Saturday at 8:00 AM
FREE to NFPA members
Lunch (Saturday; optional) was $20 per person
Topics included:
- Roadmap to PACE: Thinking about taking the exam
- Nuggets of knowledge – resources for studying for PACE
- Marketing PACE and PCCE
- How do PACE and PCCE Compare to Other Exams?
- Partnering with Paralegal Schools
Download the Certification Conference Agenda. (PDF)
Hotel Information
We had room blocks at the Marriott and at the nearby Embassy Suites.
New Orleans Downtown Marriott at Convention Center
859 Convention Center Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Embassy Suites New Orleans Convention Center
315 Julia Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Joint Conference Sponsors
Conference Materials Printing Sponsor
Social Events
Friday night there was a coordinated dinner at attendees' expense at the Warehouse District Sun Ray Grill.
Saturday night the New Orleans Paralegal Association (NOPA) sponsored a dinner dance party at Mulates. View the flyer and menu.
2012 Joint Conference Recap
2012's Joint Conference was held in Nashville, Tennessee. View the brochure. (PDF) The host hotel was the Holiday Inn Express Downtown Nashville. Attendees at each conference had the choice of a catered box lunch ($25 surcharge) or could seek their own culinary adventures outside the hotel.
Slides and other conference materials are available to NFPA members in the Members Only section on each conference's materials page.
Schedule of Events
Friday, April 20 - Regulation Conference
Presentations included:
- How to Become Your Own Lobbyist
- North Carolina Certified Paralegal Program, History and Operations Today
- Legal Document Preparers – Regulating a Nonlawyer in a Legal Profession
- Legislation/Proposal Drafting Workshop
- All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight: Statewide Alliances: A Path or Rocky Road?
View the full agenda and speaker bios.
Saturday, April 21 - Leadership Conference
Presentations included:
- Developing Your Own Leadership Style
- Building Consensus, Commitment and Cooperation
- 7 Key Skills of Effective Leadership
- Leading Productive Meetings
- Motivating and Shaping Leaders in Your Association
- Group Activities for Team Building – Tools You Can Use for Your Board and Committees
Sunday, April 22 and Monday, April 23 (until Noon) - Certification Ambassador’s Conference
Presentations included:
- Tush Push: Push Your Way Into Paralegal Certification
- Boot Scootin’ Boogie: NFPA and You
- Two Step: Stepping Through The Exam Maze
- Waltz Across Texas: Waltzing Your Way Through The Study Process
- The Drifter: Drifting Your Way to the Test Center
- Cowboy Cha Cha: Cha Cha Your Way to Budgeting
- Cotton Eye Joe: Stomping Your Way Through the Publicity Process
Social Event
There was a coordinated no-host dinner at BB King's Blues Club on Friday night, April 20.
Exhibitors and Sponsors
Printed Materials Sponsor and Exhibitor
Break Sponsor
Download the 2012 Exhibitor and Sponsor Commitment Form. (PDF)
2011 Joint Conference Recap
Based on feedback we have received from many of you, the structure of the conference changed for 2011. Regulation started on Thursday from 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., and continued Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. until noon. Leadership followed the same format Friday afternoon through Saturday at noon, followed by PACE Saturday afternoon through noon on Sunday.
Registration Fees and Deadline Information
All three conferences are open and free to NFPA Members. The Regulation Conference is also open to Non-Members at a cost of $75.00 per person. Additional costs attendees are responsible for may include social events, hotel room and transportation.
Conference Location
The 2011 Joint Conference was held in Cleveland, located in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST) in the state of Ohio, on the southern shore of Lake Erie and is part of the Great Lakes Region, the nation's largest fresh water resource, which extends 100 miles along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Leadership Conference
PACE Conference
PACE Attendees
Exhibitor
Exhibitor
Exhibitor
Regulation Conference
The Regulation Conference will cover types of regulation, status of regulatory efforts, a round table discussion of attendees' choice and new regulation developments. Lunch is included following the conference on Friday. Speaker bio's here. (PDF)
Thursday, April 28
1:30 – 1:45 p.m.
Welcoming Remarks
Tracey L. Young, RP
NFPA President
1:45 – 2:15 p.m.
Types of Regulation (PowerPoint slides)
Licensure; Certification; Registration
Robert Hrouda, RP
NFPA Vice President &
Director of Positions & Issues
2:15 – 2:45 p.m.
Status of Regulations Efforts (PowerPoint slides)
National; International
Lisa Vessels, CP, FRP
NFPA Regulation Review Coordinator
2:45 – 3:00 p.m.
Break
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
History of the OSBA Paralegal Certification Program of the Ohio State Bar Association
OSBA Paralegal Certification Program Today (PowerPoint slides)
Ms. Melissa Quick
Certification Manager
Ohio State Bar Association
Ms. Marie P. Haessly
OSBA Certified Paralegal
Gallagher Sharp
4:00 – 4:15 p.m.
Break
4:15 – 5:00 p.m.
Be Kind to Your Lobbyist – Your Career May Depend on It
Mr. Richard Mason
Director of Government Affairs
Ohio Restaurant Association
Friday, April 29
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Selling Regulation
What to Say to the Naysayers (PowerPoint slides)
Tracey L. Young, RP
NFPA President
9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Understanding the Legislative Process
Bill Pre-Filing System Requirements (PowerPoint slides)
Mr. Chris Sinagra
Lobbyist
Junto Company, Ltd.
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Break
10:30 a.m. – Noon
Roundtable Discussion / Open Forum
Robert Hrouda, RP® (Pennsylvania)
Lisa Vessels, CP, FRP (Florida)
Leadership Conference
The Leadership Conference is designed to help local leaders deal with day to day operations. Lunch is included following the conference on Saturday. PowerPoint slides available in Members area.
Friday, April 29, 2011
1:00 pm
Developing Your Own Leadership Style
S. Kristine Farmer, MS, RP
2:00 pm
Creating a Cohesive Team Environment
Tracey Young, RP
2:45 pm
Break
3:00 pm
Managing the Differing Personality Types on your Board of Directors
Robert Hrouda, RP
4:00 pm
Membership Recruitment and Retention
Karen Santagata, RP
Saturday, April 30, 2011
8:30 am
Mock Board Meeting
S. Kristine Farmer, MS, RP
Board members / Coordinators from Cleveland Association of Paralegals
9:30 am
Mentoring
Facilitated by: S. Kristine Farmer, MS, RP
10:15 am
Break
10:30 am
Group Activity
Facilitated by: S. Kristine Farmer, MS, RP
PACE Ambassadors Conference
PACE Ambassadors will be provided with the necessary resources and information to guide and mentor RPs, as well as the duties of the PACE Ambassadors. Items for discussion will include marketing of PACE, studying for the PACE Exam, the new PCC Exam, PACE renewals and ways to help meet CLE requirements for renewal. The duties of the PACE Standards Committee and PCC Exam Committee will also be discussed and updates will be provided. Download the full agenda document here. (PDF) PowerPoint slides available in the PACE section of the Members area.
Saturday, April 30th
1:30 PM to 2 PM
Welcome and Introduction of Attendees
Tracey L. Young, RP
President, NFPA
Suellen Honeychuck, RP
VP of Certification
K. Paezle Harris, RP, CP
PACE Coordinator—Ambassadors
2 PM to 2:45 PM
The History of the Advanced Exam
Suellen Honeychuck, RP
VP of Certification
A) History of PACE
B) PACE Today – What’s new/updates
C) FUTURE OF PACE; WHEN YOU NEED HELP
i) Coordinators - Who are they and how
can they help you?
ii) Private PACE Pages
D) PCC EXAM UPDATE
2:45 PM to 3 PM
Break
3 PM to 4 PM
Being an Ambassador for the Advanced Exam
K. Paezle Harris, RP, CP
PACE Coordinator—Ambassadors
A) ALL ABOUT THE EXAM
i) Eligibility
ii) Application Process
iii) Test Description
iv) PASS/FAIL – what happens?
B) PACE Ambassador Duties
i) Recognition of RPs
ii) Scholarships
iii) Sponsorships
iv) Study Groups – PACE Ambassador
Study Guides
4 PM to 5 PM
Marketing the Advanced Exam
“The Only Advanced Exam”
Natalie Nelson-Sander, RP
Sunday, May 1st
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
“Talk Money” – Budgeting for PACE
Karen Santagata, RP
NFPA Treasurer
9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Paralegal Certification & Regulation
10:30 AM to 10:45 AM
Break
10:45 AM to 11 AM
Housekeeping
Renewals, Keeping your RP’s Happy, etc.
Roundtable Discussion
11 AM to 12 PM
JEOPARDY, BABY!!
Social Events
There were two this year!
- Coordinated dinner at Cadillac Ranch at attendee's expense on Thursday, April 28th.
- Coordinated dinner at The House of Blues, Cleveland at attendee's expense on Saturday, April 30th
