The IBA welcomed 437 members, vendors, dignitaries and guests to the historic French Lick Resort this September for three days of innovation, connection and growth. More than a traditional industry gathering, our 2024 Annual Convention delivered a masterclass in banking leadership that lived up to its theme: Empowering Leadership in Banking.

Navigating Change and Innovation

The 2024 IBA Annual Convention challenged traditional thinking from the start. While ALM First’s Brent Lyle revealed the DNA of high-performing financial institutions, infotex’s Michael Hartke tackled a thoroughly modern threat: AI voice cloning. These forward-looking sessions set the tone for a convention focused on empowering leadership through innovation.

FBI veteran John Iannarelli captivated Tuesday’s breakfast crowd with frontline insights, while Dr. Matthew Will closed the educational programming with a glimpse into the economic landscape banks will navigate in the months and years ahead. Industry heavyweights John Asbury, ABA chair-elect, and Indiana’s own Lucas White, ICBA chairman, brought a national perspective to local challenges.

From Pickleball to PAC Night

The schedule was carefully crafted to balance learning with engagement and camaraderie. As attendees arrived, they had the opportunity to tee off at the annual golf tournament at the Donald Ross Course at French Lick. At the same time, a new tradition started – the inaugural Pickleball Tournament. Twelve players engaged in a rotating-partners tournament Sunday afternoon at the West Baden courts.

Sunday evening featured a lively opening reception in the exhibit hall, fostering connections and setting the tone for the rest of the convention. Attendees put on their fanciest threads for the black-tie optional Chairman’s Banquet. Post-dinner entertainment was provided by Jon Stetson, the inspiration for the CBS drama, “The Mentalist.”

Monday evening brought the Indiana BANKPAC auction and dinner hosted by the Future Leadership Division. Attendees had the opportunity to bid on silent auction items from Notre Dame football box seats and signed sports memorabilia to jewelry and designer handbags, top-of-the-line tech and even children’s toys, to support Indiana BANKPAC. Live auction items included a guitar signed by Taylor Swift, three Allen Edmonds Shoe Shopping Experiences and more. By the end of the evening, more than $97,000 had been raised for the PAC between the silent auction, live auction, golf tournament mulligans and sweepstakes drawing for an all-expenses-paid trip to Spain’s Costa del Sol and Madrid.

The night ended with the annual Euchre tournament, with cash prizes for the top three players. Players and spectators alike got to enjoy late-night pizza along with drinks. TVs were on-hand in the hospitality suite both nights so attendees wouldn’t miss opening weekend NFL action.

Honoring Excellence, Looking Ahead

At the banquet, 2024 Chairman Benjamin J. Bochnowski was honored for his contributions this year and was presented with a Sagamore of the Wabash by Tom Fite, director of the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, where Ben has served as a member of the board since his appointment in 2019 by Gov. Eric Holcomb. Ben then ceremoniously passed the chairman’s gavel to 2025 Chair Matthew W. Howrey. Matt, his fellow officers and other directors were formally elected at Monday’s lunch.

State Sen. Scott Baldwin, R-Noblesville, was recognized as the 2024 IBA Legislator of the Year. Sen. Baldwin served in the United States Marine Corps, U.S. Army Reserves, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office reserves and Indiana Department of Correction’s Special Emergency Response Team. He currently works in construction and real estate development at Envoy Inc. and IT/Infrastructure as a Service at Cloudapt LLC.

Thank you to all who attended this year’s convention, and a special thanks to all our generous sponsors. Be sure to join us for next year’s Annual Convention, scheduled for Sept. 7-9, 2025, in French Lick.