Top Technology, Legal and Notarial Experts to Address the National Notary Association's 2001 Conference in Montreal; Speakers to Focus on Timely Theme `Technology With Trust'.

Business Editors

CHATSWORTH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 16, 2001

Reflecting their keen interest in the emerging convergence of digital technology and the office of Notary Public, a slate of top-notch legal, technological and notarial experts have signed on to speak at the National Notary Association's 23rd annual conference.

This landmark event, set for Montreal, June 27-30, will explore ways in which notaries can utilize the benefits of new electronic technologies while still ensuring the integrity of notarial transactions for the public good.

Conference speakers confirmed to date include:

-- Tom Melling, vice president, secretary and general counsel for ELF
Technologies - Melling will be presenting the opening general session, titled
"Merging Trust with Technology," to be presented Friday morning, June 29.

-- John Messing, author, attorney and computer programmer of Law-on-Line -
Messing is on the second general session's panel on "The Technological Options:
How Trustworthy?" on June 30.

-- Rod Beatson, CEO, Transaction Security Inc. - Beatson is co-panelist on "The
Technological Options: How Trustworthy?" on June 30.

-- Michael Closen, professor of law at the John Marshall School of Law - Closen
will moderate the second general session.

-- Malcolm Morris, professor of law, Northern Illinois University College of
Law - Morris is presenting the workshop "Position of Trust: The Notary as
Impartial Witness" on June 29.

-- Anne P. Petera, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia - Petera will give
the keynote address at the conference kick-off breakfast, June 29.

-- Russell J. Hammer, president and CEO, Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of
Commerce - Hammer is presenting a workshop on "Developing the Leader Within
You" on June 30 and leading a working luncheon titled "Get Organized! Get Work
Done!" on June 29.

-- Mario Morel, chief technology officer and vice president of Professional
Services, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce/VeriSign - Morel will be leading
the "Using a Digital Signature Today" workshop, June 29.

-- Candice Miller, Michigan Secretary of State - Miller will be presenting the
keynote address at the conference's farewell banquet, June 30.

The conference will feature two key general sessions, 10 breakout workshop sessions and four optional programs, all tailored to meet the professional education needs of notaries and those who use notaries in daily transactions. Tour packages are also available for sightseeing in the Montreal area. For more information, go to the National Notary Association's Web site at www.nationalnotary.org.

The National Notary Association (NNA) has been the primary source for notary education, service and advocacy in the United States since 1957, and is the largest and oldest notarial organization of its kind. Since its inception, the NNA has been the leader in establishing procedures and ethical guidelines for notaries and addressing the issues notaries care about. With headquarters in Chatsworth, the NNA has 168,000 members nationwide.