I want to personally encourage all of you, regardless of your own opinion of how great you think you are in this business, to attend any and all courses that you can.
1) More and more states are making them required by law anyway, so you really may not have a choice if you live in one of those states.
2) They provide unprecedented networking and marketing opportunities. I may have possibly picked up as many as a dozen skip cases yesterday alone.
3) I learned of databases and technologies that I previously was ignorant of.
4) I learned of industry related legislations, opinions, prevailing attitudes, etc.
5) Useful and field tested ideas, tactics, and strategies were revealed.
6) Learned of what others have been sued for or what we can be sued for:
Example- I did not know that using hinged handcuffs on a subject for more than 30 minutes can cause irreparable carpal tunnel injury to a fugitive.
To paraphrase one of the instructors: We are in assets and liability protection. So if we cause ourselves and our bondsman to get sued, then we have failed in that mission of protection.
Lastly, I thoroughly enjoyed the comraderie of fellow BEA's, even if they did wear military surplus BDU's, black swat pants, and t-shirts...
Seriously folks, if you have a chance to attend one, even if it is in another state, do so. The rewards far outweigh the expense.