Jeff DiMatteo discussing actionable education, networking, and AI implementation at ACA Fall Forum 2026

Why ACA Fall Forum 2026 Is Focused on Action, Not Ideas

Katalina (00:00)

Hello everybody, Katalina Dawson here. Welcome to the Why We Go series. Today we're talking about the ACA Fall Forum, which is happening November 4th through the 6th in 2026. With me today, I have Jeff DiMatteo, and he is the current president of ACA. We're gonna talk a little bit about this event and what you can expect this year. Starting with Jeff, the location historically, or at least within the last couple of years, has been Chicago, Illinois, which is a beautiful location. That's actually my original hometown. And this year it is moving. It's actually moving to Arizona, which is where I lived previously.

Then I moved back home to Chicago and you guys moved it back. So essentially, my question is what gives? No, I'm just kidding. Knowing that this is in November, I totally get the chance and having lived in Arizona a couple years, November weather is exquisite. It's gorgeous in November. So I totally get that change from cold Chicago. But I want to talk a little bit about what we can expect with this change of scenery and different experiences that our attendees will have this year.

Jeff DiMatteo (01:08)

Yeah, super excited to go to Arizona Scottsdale Talking Stick Resort. It's beautiful from what I've seen so far. I love Chicago. Every time we go there, I say, man, one of our favorite cities. But November in Arizona is supposed to be exquisite, so we're looking forward to it. The golf, the architecture, the hiking, and obviously fall forum, the sessions and the networking and all that good stuff.

Katalina (01:35)

Yeah, well, honestly, Fall Forum has historically been one of my favorite events to attend. Because it's a little bit more boutique, I could say, than other events where it's just so busy and you're like, my gosh, I meant to even say hi to somebody that I know at this event. And it was so busy and there were so many people, I couldn't get a chance to say hello to them. It's just it's a smaller, quainter meeting where everybody gets to come together. I feel like there is more networking.

How would I say that? there's a better chance to network because everybody is together more. It's a smaller group of people. And also the education is a little bit different. Instead of being sessions where it tends to be more lecture style, I feel like there's a lot of workshops and people get to really get more hands-on and there's big discussions going on, which I absolutely love. So talking about these like hands-on workshops, what can we expect this year in terms of that education?

Jeff DiMatteo (02:30)

Yeah, so the education is definitely gonna be interactive, definitely gonna have tangible takeaways that you can bring back and like to implement into your shop right away. So it's like doing stuff. It's not just the knowledge, it's more the wisdom. How do you put it into action for your shop?

Katalina (02:48)

Yeah, so it's this focus on business optimization with action. And there have been so many changes in our industry recently that I feel like this could be valuable for a ton of different people spanning a ton of different roles within different companies in the industry. But who would benefit most from participating in these strategy-driven workshops?

Jeff DiMatteo (03:11)

Yeah, I think it's the managers or the higher level people that are gonna be able to get stuff done in their organizations. So it's not just going back with, hey, here's a 40,000-foot view of why we should do this, and then you go do it and then you know assign it to somebody. I think it's gonna be more for people that are gonna look to get things done in their shop. I learned something, I learned why, I learned how to do it, now I'm gonna go back and I'm gonna do it.

Katalina (03:37)

Absolutely. Now aside from these different sessions that we're gonna have or workshops as we were saying, what other opportunities do they have to network at this event?

Jeff DiMatteo (03:48)

Yeah, networking is always one of the most important pieces of any convention, right? You know, as we go into this AI world, knowledge is just so prevalent. It's just out there. Everyone can get the knowledge, but now it's more wisdom over knowledge where you're gonna be networking with people, you're gonna be talking to people. How are you doing it? so the networking piece is really important.

I stress to anybody who goes and meets people that when you go back to your shop, you can say, Hey, I'm gonna reach out to Katalina and ask her about that. I wonder how she's doing it there. So the networking piece, obviously, is very important. The in-person piece, very important. I always try to come away with several people that I didn't know before that I could reach out to now.

Katalina (04:36)

Absolutely. And are there any specific topics that you think are gonna really be highlighted at this event?

Jeff DiMatteo (04:42)

Yeah, I think AI is gonna be a big one, obviously. I mean, we were at a convention, it seemed like 75% of the stuff that you were hearing was AI, right? And how to implement it, what to do with it, how to use it, hands-on stuff. So I think it's gonna be how to take some AI and bring it back and actually put it into practice.

Katalina (05:02)

Yeah. So there's such a value to this format, having it be focused on action, focused on being more of a workshop and a smaller, quainter event where people can really focus on that networking where they can connect with peers and really build those business relationships. Now I've been going to this event for several years. I absolutely adore it. But to somebody who has never gone before, what would you say to them

To encourage them to attend this event specifically?

Jeff DiMatteo (05:33)

Yeah, I've always liked fall forums too, not only because Chicago and now excited about Arizona, but because it is a little bit more intimate, right? Like you're you find yourself in smaller groups, you find yourself networking, you find yourself into people like me. Like you know, you're in the group of, hey, I'm doing this, I do that too. Well, how do you do it? Well, this is the way I do it. So it's a little more intimate and not so overwhelming.

and so I feel like you come away and you walk away with really specific things to do, specific people to talk to, and specific ideas.

Katalina (06:08)

Absolutely. And for those first time attendees as well, do you have any specific recommendations on what they can do to make the best out of their first visit to Fall Forum?

Jeff DiMatteo (06:17)

Yeah, it's probably not just for the fall forum. It's probably any in-person event. I always say take a look at the attendee list, right? And pick out several people that you'd like to meet. Like having a reason to go up to them and introduce yourself and pick their brain. 

Obviously you're gonna meet a lot of people and you're gonna meet other people that now you include in your network, but I say specifically find some people that you want to meet and have a reason to go up and have conversations with them. And guarantee yourself that I am gonna walk away from this convention with three or five or ten people that I can contact on Monday.

Katalina (06:55)

Yeah, I'm also gonna throw in one of my favorite parts of every single ACA event I've ever been to, which is dinner with strangers. I am a huge proponent of it and I can't say enough good about it. it always turns from dinner with strangers to the next day it's breakfast with friends or just friends in the exhibit hall. It is such a powerful thing to show up, be like, hey, I want to meet people and other people who are signing up for dinner with strangers.

I also want to meet people so it's- you're not gonna get together with a group where people don't want to talk to you, they're like I was forced into this, it is such a great time to be.

Jeff DiMatteo (07:31)

I agree. I've been coming to these conventions for twenty plus years, right? And I did my first thing with strangers at leadership last year. And I absolutely loved it. You just meet people that you probably won't run into. and then now again that network just grows and people that you wouldn't have met otherwise, now you have a friend, now you have a contact. So I absolutely would advise that, especially for first timers.

Katalina (07:57)

100%. Well, again, guys, this is ACA Fall Forum 2026. It is happening November 4th through the 6th at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. We are so excited to have people there. Again, it's one of my absolute favorite conferences every year. If you guys have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. We're gonna do our best to get to everything. 

Also, share in the comments if you yourself are planning on attending. We will also be adding the links where you can register to the event and we hope to see you all there. Jeff, thank you so much for being on with me today. This is a great discussion.

Jeff DiMatteo (08:36)

Scottsdale, here we come. See you there.

Katalina (08:38)

See you there. Bye.

 

There is no shortage of information available to collections professionals today. Artificial intelligence has only accelerated that reality. 

So, if knowledge is already so accessible, what makes showing up in person valuable?

That question sits at the heart of our latest Why We Go conversation about ACA Fall Forum 2026, taking place November 4–6 at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Host Katalina Dawson speaks with Jeff DiMatteo, current President of ACA International, about what attendees can expect as Fall Forum moves from Chicago to Scottsdale this year. But the conversation quickly goes beyond the location. The bigger theme this year is action.

Collections Business Optimization Starts With Actionable Education 

The nature of Fall Forum's educational format is quite natural. Rather than focusing exclusively on high-level presentations, the event is expected to emphasize interactive workshops and tangible takeaways that attendees can bring back to their organizations. 

DiMatteo explains: “I learned something, I learned why, I learned how to do it, now I'm gonna go back, and I'm gonna do it.”

That progression matters.

The conversation points toward a straightforward framework:

  • Learn what is changing.
  • Understand why it matters.
  • Explore how peers are responding.
  • Identify what applies to your organization.
  • Return with something specific you can implement.

The value of education changes considerably when the objective shifts from gathering information to creating action.

AI Implementation in Collections Needs to Move Beyond the Conversation

Artificial intelligence will inevitably be part of ACA Fall Forum 2026. But DiMatteo expects the conversation to move beyond simply acknowledging AI as an industry trend.

“I think it's gonna be how to take some AI and bring it back and actually put it into practice.”

The more useful question for many organizations now is what they can responsibly do with these technologies inside their existing operations.

Instead of having another broad conversation about AI’s potential, the focus needs to be on the trenches of practical execution. For collections leaders, the next competitive frontier would be to convert raw information into street-smart operational choices.

Trading Abundant Knowledge for Rare Wisdom

In an era where answers are a keystroke away, information is not a moat anymore. 

This reality fundamentally redefines the purpose of industry gatherings. True networking isn't about collecting a stack of forgotten business cards; it's about building a trusted council of peers who share what actually works when the playbook fails.

Old Networking The New Imperative
Collecting endless contacts Curating high-value peer councils
Passive information gathering Extracting field-tested operational wisdom
Surface-level card exchanges Ongoing, post-event strategic dialogue

Maximize ACA Fall Forum 2026

Small, workshop-driven environments like the Fall Forum offer an incubator for these high-yield conversations. Here is how to engineer real ROI from your attendance:

  • Pre-Map Your Target Network: Scrutinize the guest list early. Target peers navigating the specific operational friction you are currently trying to solve.
  • Lead with Intent: Ditch the generic icebreakers. Approach contacts with explicit, targeted questions about their implementation journeys.
  • Anchor Workshops in Application: Filter every session through a single lens: How does this blueprint adapt to my team’s daily workflow?
  • Set a Relational Quota: Aim to forge deep, lasting connections with 3 to 10 key professionals rather than working the whole room.
  • Capitalize on Micro-Events: Lean into intimate formats like Dinner with Strangers to crack open unexpected doors.
  • Keep the Pipeline Open: The real yield happens post-conference. Follow up promptly to transform an event introduction into a permanent strategic asset.

Make ACA Fall Forum 2026 Count After You Get Home 

The receivables sector doesn't need another lecture on why AI matters. It needs open-source operational truth. Value has migrated from what you know to how effectively you execute, and the fastest way to bridge that gap is through the shared experience of peers who walked the path first.

Collecting ideas is easy, but translating them into tangible strategic leverage is where the real competitive advantage lies. 

Watch the full episode to hear Jeff DiMatteo and Katalina Dawson discuss what attendees can expect from ACA Fall Forum 2026 and how collections leaders can make the most of the experience. 

Learn more about the event: https://www.acainternational.org/events/fall-forum-2026/

Key Moments From This Episode

00:00 – Meet Jeff DiMatteo and preview ACA Fall Forum 2026
02:30 – Moving from education to tangible action
03:11 – Who should attend the strategy-driven workshops
04:42 – Taking AI from conversation to implementation
05:33 – What makes the smaller Fall Forum format different
06:17 – Jeff's networking strategy for industry events
07:57 – What to expect at ACA Fall Forum 2026

 Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What makes ACA Fall Forum 2026 different from larger industry events?

A: Jeff DiMatteo describes ACA Fall Forum 2026 as a more intimate environment built around interactive education, practical takeaways, and conversations with peers that attendees can turn into action within their organizations.

Q2: Will AI implementation in collections be discussed at Fall Forum?

A: Yes. Jeff expects AI to be a major topic, but the emphasis goes beyond talking about the technology. The goal is to explore how attendees can take AI ideas back to their organizations and actually put them into practice.

Q3: How can first-time attendees get more value from ACA Fall Forum 2026?

A: Jeff recommends reviewing the attendee list before arriving, identifying people you specifically want to meet, and setting a goal to leave with three, five, or ten new contacts you can reach out to after the event.

About Company

ACA International

ACA International is the leading association for the accounts receivable management industry, representing collection agencies, law firms, asset buying companies, creditors, and industry service providers. Founded in 1939, the organization supports its members through education, compliance resources, advocacy, professional development, and industry networking.

About Guest

Jeff DiMatteo

Jeff DiMatteo is the current President of ACA International and a longtime accounts receivable management professional with American Profit Recovery. His industry involvement includes a strong focus on professional development, member engagement, and advancing the role the collections industry plays for businesses, consumers, and the broader economy.