(Left to right: Stephen Halbrook, Esq.; ATF: Marvin Richardson, Michael Fronczak, Max Kingery, Alphonso Hughes; and NSSF Senior VP, Assistant Secretary & General Counsel, Larry Keane)
40% of conference attendees pre-registered for the second Firearms Industry Compliance Conference in May 2015, in Orlando, Florida, indicating a likely early sell-out.
Hartford, CT (PRWEB) October 14, 2014
Orchid Advisors, the only management consultancy dedicated to the firearms industry, announces the conclusion of the first annual Firearms Industry Compliance Conference, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Deemed a “tremendous success” by the 150 industry representatives in attendance, the conference featured 40 presentations directed at firearms manufacturers, component and accessory manufacturers, distributors and retailers. 40% of conference attendees pre-registered for the second Firearms Industry Compliance Conference in May 2015, in Orlando, Florida, indicating a likely early sell-out.
Keynote presentations to the entire audience and breakout sessions for smaller groups covered laws and regulations pertaining to ATF, ITAR, Import, Export and Anti-Corruption compliance. Also included were numerous presentations addressing means for operationalizing compliance through “best practices” compliance programs, internal controls and utilization of available software and technology solutions. Attendees included Walmart, Davidson’s, Lipsey’s, Big Rock Sports, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Remington, Colt, Mossberg, Maverick, Taurus, CZ-USA and numerous representatives of small retail FFLs. Sponsorship from Smith & Wesson made it possible for single-location retail FFLs to attend at a reduced rate.
Jon Rydberg, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Orchid Advisors, observed, “No other venue offers FFL holders process and technology solutions they need to design and implement effective compliance programs tailored to the specific needs and challenges of their businesses.” By way of example, he pointed to one oversubscribed session that examined and compared current electronic A&D Book offerings that was so popular guests were sitting on the floor and lining the walls. In a keynote program, four senior representatives of ATF provided an update on recent and upcoming regulatory and policy changes, current trends, and ATF organizational changes. Other popular presentations included:
--A four-hour optional pre-conference program in which Jillair Kubish, former ATF Industry Operations Official and Orchid executive team member, presented a detailed overview of ATF compliance requirements and methods for inspection preparation.
--Two ITAR-focused programs covering the 10 things you must know about Import, Export and ITAR and best practices in ITAR compliance and technology control plans.
--Nine separate presentations concentrating on the integration of technology into firearms industry compliance programs to enhance compliance while simultaneously improving operating efficiency.
--Two sessions providing instructions on ATF inspections to distributors and dealers and to manufacturers and importers.
--Four programs addressing different aspect of anti-bribery compliance for manufacturers and distributors whose operations extend beyond the U.S. borders.
The conference provided an opportunity for attendees to network not only with each other but also with providers of important goods and services to the industry, who exhibited at the conference. ARCMIM, a one-source solution for metal injection molded and 3D printed products, was a lead exhibitor and sponsored a reception for all conference attendees. The 11 other exhibitors included metal injection molding and precision machining vendors and providers of technology and compliance solutions to the firearms industry.
Jeffrey Grody, Orchid Advisors principal and former long-time Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Colt, stated “Planning for the 2015 Firearms Industry Compliance Conference next May is well underway and a tentative agenda will be released shortly. The program ideas we have on the drawing board are fantastic! We will cover the same overall territory but in fresh ways. Our goal is that all attendees leave the conference with concrete actions they can take to immediately improve compliance while enhancing operational efficiency.” He expressed pleasure about the very large pre-registration by 2014 conference attendees but observed that the level of intimacy required for the breakout sessions to “work” forces a limit to the size of the conference. “It is very likely that the 2015 conference will sell out well in advance,” he said.
More information can be found at:
--2014 Conference News Summary and Photo Photo Gallery
About Orchid Advisors – Transforming the Compliance EcosystemTM
Orchid Advisors is a management consultancy that drives operational effectiveness, profitability and regulatory compliance. Unlike some consulting firms, our unique methodology provides process, technology and internal control solutions that achieve all three objectives at once. Our consultants derive their expertise from years served in Fortune 500, Federal Government and Global Business and Consulting environments. Orchid Advisors is endorsed by the NSSF. Orchid Advisors is an SAP Platform Partner. For more information, see http://www.orchidadvisors.com.