P.O. Box 772

Burlington, MA 01803

**Please check back closer to the conference for the 2025 President’s Message and updated list of 2025 Vendors.**

**The 2025 President’s Message will also be available to all conference attendees during the conference.**

2024 President’s Message

Welcome to the New England Crisis Negotiators Association 23rd annual Conference at the Cape.  It is a true honor to be your President and to serve the members from the six States comprising NECNA!!  This year’s speakers will touch on a variety of critical topics facing our negotiating family.  There is a didactic portion of instruction scheduled on Tuesday where we will all learn a new concept here in the U.S. (which is well-utilized in the U.K.) known as the “Bunches of Five.”  I learned about “Bunches of Five” when I attended the NCNC Course in Quantico and promised I would bring it to our Conference for all to learn this very valuable concept!!!

This year’s Conference has over 292 attendees-the highest number in our history!!  The Board of Directors and I believe that our Conference serves as both a training venue, as well as an opportunity for members to network with fellow negotiators and instructors!! Please take some time to visit with our multiple vendors who have many things to offer. Some of the presenters are selling their books and available to speak with you personally to answer any questions you may have.  Please sign up for our “First Annual Cornhole Tournament” being held Tuesday evening near the Bass River Room. Prizes will be awarded!! Use the QR Code below or see a Board member to register!

The Board of Directors work very hard to bring quality trainings to you throughout the year.  We listen to the surveys submitted from the Conference and ask that you fill in the surveys. Surveys this year will be available daily and can be submitted via your phone using the QR Code or the link emailed to you at the end of each day!!

We had a very successful and well-attended “Summer Scenarios” series! The theme was a resounding “Thank You” for bringing in some challenging and well-scripted scenarios. We also brought in Dr. Jeff Thompson as our traveling instructor for the “Fall Regional Training” series.  Dr. Thompson received “excellent” ratings by those who attended and I believe we all learned something from Dr. Thompson.

This year we are introducing the Detective Matthew Beltrami Memorial Award and recognizing a current NECNA Member for their dedication and inspiration!!  I thank Gilda Fortier, Matt Moretti, Tim Wilk, Jen Weaver, Wayne Cole, Dr. Ed Keane and past Board Member Ashley Affonco for their time and effort in creating a meaningful and honorable award to be bestowed, in honor of Matt, to one NECNA Member each year who shows exceptional dedication, contributions and inspiration to crisis response, mental health and substance abuse.

Past NECNA President, Dr. John Colautti, had a vision years ago to bring a Negotiators Competition to our organization. Dr. Colautti delivered on his vision by bringing the First New England Negotiator Competition/Challenge to Anna Maria College, where he chairs the Criminal Justice Department. John partnered with Crisis Systems Management and on June 4th there is a Competition and June 5th there is a classroom portion with instructions. Please go to crisisnegotiation.net or the NECNA website for more information and to sign up for the event. Thank you Dr. Colautti!!!!

Enjoy yourselves responsibly while you are at the Conference!!  If you need help with navigating anything at the Conference, please reach out to your NECNA State Representative or any Board of Director Member. Please refer to the posted Agendas for speaker and daily activities.

Be safe and take care of each other!!

Phil Hadden

NECNA President