Goodbye Crystal Gateway! PBSA Mid-Year 2025 Recap

It's the end of an era.

The 2025 PBSA Mid-Year Legislative & Regulatory Conference marked the final gathering at the iconic Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA—a bittersweet milestone for many of us in the background screening industry. Over the years, that hotel has become more than just a venue; it’s been a backdrop to countless conversations, connections, and celebrations. As always, it was great seeing everyone in person.

A Purposeful Kickoff: Packing Hope

This year’s conference started on a high note with the opening session, "Voices for a Second Chance—Packing Hope, One Kit at a Time." It was more than just a feel-good moment; it was a reminder of the impact our community can make when we come together for a greater purpose. Watching industry peers roll up their sleeves and assemble kits for returning citizens was a powerful way to kick off the week.

The Regulatory Landscape: Eyes on the Hill

As always, the Mid-Year conference focused heavily on legislative updates and regulatory challenges facing our industry. I sat in on a few very informative sessions. And with significant activity brewing on Capitol Hill—especially related to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)—there's certainly a lot to keep an eye on. The sessions were a good reminder of why it’s so important to stay informed and engaged. The policies under discussion now could have a major impact on how we operate tomorrow.

Hot Topics

Beyond the sessions, some of the most valuable moments happened in the hallways, at lunch tables, and between sessions. Three themes popped up again and again in our conversations:

• International Background Checks – As companies continue to expand their global footprints, understanding the nuances of international compliance and data access has never been more important.

• Employee Risk Monitoring – Monitoring products are gaining traction as employers prioritize workplace safety and risk mitigation throughout the employee lifecycle.

• Automation and Efficiency – With increasing pressure to do more with less, many attendees were focused on how automation can help streamline processes, improve turnaround times, and reduce manual errors.

If any of those topics are top of mind for you this year, InformData is here to help. Whether it’s tapping into our Direct-Source Data®, starting up with a new and improved monitoring product, or streamlining processes and reducing your total cost of ownership, we’d love to explore how we can support your goals.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

We would love to continue the conversation, whether it's about industry updates, what's new at Inform, or just catching up. If we missed you at the conference or you couldn't make it and want to get up to speed, let's set up a time to chat.

Reach out to us directly at sales@informdata.com to set up a time, or fill out this quick form, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

We look forward to connecting soon and, of course, to seeing everyone in Anaheim, CA, for the Annual Conference in October!

Here are a few pics from the conference:

Our InformData branded Stanleys were a hit!