2027 Excellence in Innovation Award

Following are submission categories for award consideration:

• Operational Excellence Initiative: Significant improvements in operational efficiency, productivity, or cost management through technology or process innovation.
• Technology Innovation Project: Implementation of new or emerging technology that has positively impacted business outcomes (e.g., AI, IoT, blockchain).
• Digital Client or Employee Experience Transformation: Highlights initiatives that have elevated customer or employee experiences, such as user-friendly digital platforms, self-service solutions, or streamlined digital interactions.
• Culture of Continuous Innovation: Organizations that have embraced a mindset of innovation, fostering an environment of experimentation, adaptability, and continuous improvement.

1. Nominees can self-nominate or be nominated by others.
2. Initiatives or projects must have been implemented or achieved measurable impact within 12 months prior to the application deadline.
3. Submissions must be active ELFA members at the time of submission from either:
   • An Equipment Finance Organization (Regular Member); or,
   • A Service Provider (Associate Member) can submit jointly with an Equipment Finance Organization (Regular Member). Only the regular member will receive the award.
4. If selected as a finalist, applicants must be willing to send at least one representative to the 2027 Innovation Lab Conference which will be held in Fort Lauderdale from March 30th - April 1st, 2027. Finalists will pitch their initiative live to the conference audience who will decide the winner and runner-up(s) by a vote.

Submit your application

Applications must be submitted by Friday, November 6^th, 2026.

1. The innovation award committee will review all submissions, determine appropriate categories, and select finalists. The number of finalists selected will depend on the number of qualified submissions.
2. Finalists will be notified in mid-January
3. Finalists will prepare a 7-15 minute presentation to be delivered to the entire Innovation Conference in Fort Lauderdale from March 30 - April 1, 2027.
4. A winner and runner-up(s) will be determined by audience vote, and will be announced at the conclusion of the conference.

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following:

• Innovation (30%) - How original, creative, and forward-thinking is the solution?
• Impact (30%) - How significant is the initiative’s business value, and how effectively has it met or exceeded its objectives?
• Scalability (20%) - How replicable or scalable is the initiative across other areas or teams?
• Level of Difficulty/Risk (20%) - Factoring in constraints like budget, timelines, and ability/willingness to fully dedicate resources, how much did the organization take themselves out of their comfort zone to achieve their desired outcome?

• The ELFA Excellence in Innovation Award Cup — yours to display and defend for a full year before passing it on at next year's Innovation Lab.
• An official ELFA press release announcing your win to the industry.
• A featured interview on the Equipment Finance Matters podcast — share your story with the industry's most engaged listeners.
• A professionally produced highlight video (60-90 seconds) capturing your pitch, the moment you're announced, and the excitement of the win.
• A spotlight article in EL&F Magazine — put your innovation in front of the entire industry.
• A custom Social Media Toolkit plus an official announcement post celebrating your win.
• Center-stage presentation time at the 2027 ELFA Annual Convention — delivered live at the HUB, right in the middle of all the action.
• Two VIP invitations to the 2027 Annual Convention Awards Dinner — celebrate the win in style.