ACRA 2025 Annual Convention
Innovate, Collaborate, Elevate
May 31 - June 1, 2025
Marriott Phoenix Airport, Phoenix
SCHEDULE
10 hours total CEU pending approval
Saturday, May 31, 2025
7:30 a.m. - Check in, Breakfast & Visit Exhibitors
Breakfast sponsored by Colville & Dippel
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
COURSE TITLE: Digitorganization: Building Your Second Brain
PRESENTER NAME: Mike Hensley, CSR, RDR
CREDIT HOURS: 1.5 hrs.
DESCRIPTION: Are you drowning in data and scattered sticky notes? It’s time to digitorganize! In this engaging session, you will learn how to declutter your personal and professional life by mastering PMK (Personal Knowledge Management) and creating a "second brain" to store all the info you can’t afford to forget. We’ll explore tools, tech, and tips, plus a few tricks to make it all less overwhelming and a lot more fun. Say goodbye to chaos and hello to a system that actually works!
10:00 a.m. - Refreshment Break - Visit Exhibitors
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
COURSE TITLE: Mastering the Future: AI in the Court Reporting Profession
PRESENTER NAME: Mike Hensley, CSR, RDR
CREDIT HOURS: 1.5 hrs.
DESCRIPTION: Presentation to discuss what is and what is not AI. Demonstration of how AI is already present, and exploration of what is coming. Includes advocacy and awareness information to support viability for the court reporting profession.
Mike Hensley sponsored by Griffin Group International Reporters and Captioners
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. - Lunch & Business Meeting
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
COURSE TITLE: Cybersecurity: To Click or Not to Click
PRESENTER NAME: Jared Nishimoto
CREDIT HOURS: 1.5 hrs.
DESCRIPTION: This class will cover social engineering, specifically phishing attempts and scams. What types of phishing exist and how to identify them. What precautions should be taken when receiving a phishing attempt. There will be discussion on Artificial Intelligence ethics and the rules and regulations put forth by the Arizona Supreme Court. What is Personal Identifying Information according to the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) and how to protect it will also be presented.
Lunch sponsored by: Legal Video Specialists; Marty & Ann Herder; & Maricopa Reporting
2:30 a.m. - Refreshment Break - Visit Exhibitors
Sponsored by Griffin Group International Reporters and Captioners
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
COURSE TITLE: Jeopardy-Rules of Civil Procedures as relates to court reporters, steno briefs, legal and medical terminology, etc.
MODERATOR NAMES: Tammy Gillett, Treva Colwell & Angela Miller
CREDIT HOURS: 1.5 hrs.
DESCRIPTION: Seminar attendees will actively participate as teams to compete in the game of Jeopardy, answering questions on ethics & reporting-related topics.
Sunday, June 1, 2025
7:30 a.m. - Check in & Breakfast
Sponsored by Seymour Reporting Services
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
COURSE TITLE: Financial Planning for Court Reporters
PRESENTER MAMES: Crystal Barcello, Edwards Jones & Robert Carvalho, Corebridge Financial
CREDIT HOURS: 1.5 hr;
DESCRIPTION: Crystal and Robert will discuss the types of retirement accounts (contribution limits, deductibility, eligibility for the self-employed) court reporters can utilize including Traditional & ROTH IRAs / Simple & SEP IRAs / "Owner Only' or "Solo" 401k Plan. Crystal will explain the types of products that can go inside those accounts and Robert will discuss annuities in more detail.
10:00-10:15 p.m. - Break
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
COURSE TITLE: Emotional Intelligence & Personality Traits
PRESENTER NAME: Denise Beagley M.Sc.
CREDIT HOURS: 1.5 hrs.
DESCRIPTION: Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's and others' emotions. It comprises five key components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. EQ involves three essential skills: identifying and naming emotions, using emotions effectively in thinking and problem-solving, and regulating emotions to maintain balance and assist others in doing the same. During the class, we will conduct a brief 5-minute personality assessment.
11:45-12:00 p.m. - Break
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
COURSE TITLE: Motivational Interviewing 4.0: Opportunities for Empathy
PRESENTER NAME: Denise Beagley M.Sc.
CREDIT HOURS: 1.5 hrs.
DESCRIPTION: Motivational Interviewing 4.0 represents an advanced evolution of MI, designed to deepen engagement, collaboration, and meaningful change through refined communication techniques. Rooted in the core principles of PACE (Partnership, Acceptance, Compassion, and Empowerment), this model integrates advanced strategies for guiding conversations more precisely. It emphasizes active listening, strategic questioning, and the intentional use of language to strengthen motivation and foster more profound empathy. We will conduct an assessment during class to explore opportunities for enhancing empathy in practice.
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OTHER INFORMATION
The Venue:
The Marriott Phoenix Airport in Phoenix, Arizona, is the site for our 2025 Annual Convention. For room reservations at our ACRA rate Click here
ACRA special group rate: $149.00 USD per night - Limited Availability!
Group rate valid: Friday, May 30, 2025 - Monday, June 02, 2025
For more information about the hotel, click here.
The Fun:
There will be games, raffles, and socializing. Two continental breakfasts, breaks, and Saturday lunch is included.
Students:
Court reporting students are welcome to attend this event without charge. By registering, students commit to attend all or a portion of the seminars. Please email office@acraonline.org to get the code for registration. Must present proof of current enrollment in a court reporting program.
If you would like to contribute to the Student Attendance Fund to defray the cost of these lunches, click here - thank you!
Event Sponsorships:
ACRA depends on the financial support of our sponsors to be able to provide quality programming for our events. Please consider being a sponsor. Whether big or small, it is all appreciated. Want to see the several ways you can sponsor this event?
Click here for available options.
Prize and Raffle Donations:
Our raffles provide us with a lot of fun at our events, and they also help to offset some of our expenses so we can provide excellent programs. We would love to know ahead of time what raffle items or cash you will contribute. Want to donate a cash prize or a raffle item? Please email office@acraonline.org and let us know what you will be donating!
Exhibitors & Vendors:
From keeping up with advancements in technology all the way to finding that perfect piece of jewelry, our exhibitors and vendors provide us with a wonderful array of goods.
Printable Registration Form:
Click here for a printable form that you can use to mail a check payment.
Registrations after Wednesday, May 21 will include a $30 late fee. Register early!
