Lynda S. Hilliard (lyndahilliard@hotmail.com) is Principal of Hilliard Compliance Consulting in Mount Shasta, CA.

The sounds, sights, and successes of Las Vegas and HCCA’s 22nd Annual Compliance Institute (CI) are behind us, but the value of the CI’s opportunities to expand our knowledge base, catch up with old friends, and most importantly, be able to network with colleagues is still fresh in my mind. Networking and the ability to learn from our compliance colleagues is one of the primary benefits of being an HCCA member. At the CI, an example of successful networking was made evident when we were reminded of how HCCA was initially conceived and created through the networking activities of our outgoing CEO Roy Snell, Debbie Troklus, and other current and retired colleagues. The group came together informally in the late 1990s to discuss and share ideas on how to develop and implement a compliance program for their respective institutions. And 19,000+ members later, we are still meeting to network and learn from the experience of our colleagues!