What You Need to Know Now

Board Affirms Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 

On Oct. 13, the ELFA Board of Directors met in Phoenix for the last time under the gavel of Chairman Dave Schaefer. The Board deliberated over a number of critical matters, not the least of which was approval of an updated three-year strategic plan and a 2019 work plan and budget for the association. 

In 2018 the Board established a Diversity Work Group, and at its October meeting the Board accepted the Work Group’s recommendation to update the ELFA mission statement and strategic objectives. The new language affirms ELFA’s commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion across the association and the industry.

Schaefer reported that the Board implemented several new initiatives as a result of a self-assessment conducted earlier in the year. Board committee assignments are now being made with input from Board members, a CEO succession plan is in place, an online Board resource hub for all Board-related documents has been created and the new director on-boarding process has been revised and expanded.

The Women’s Council is organizing the Women’s Leadership Forum, April 1–2 in Washington, D.C., which will focus on leadership development for women at all stages of an equipment finance career. The Emerging Talent Advisory Council is organizing EMERGENCE2019, July 17–18 in Washington, D.C., which is an opportunity for emerging talent to gather together and hear from industry leaders, network with colleagues and learn about the industry from different perspectives. Learn more about both events at www.elfaonline.org/events. 

Treasurer Rob Boyer reviewed the latest financial results for the association, indicating that the organization is on sound financial footing and able to develop and fund programs, products and services that continue to be responsive to the needs of ELFA members. He also provided a report on the Certified Lease and Finance Professional (CLFP) Foundation. He explained that the Executive Committee, at its meeting the previous July, had approved a $25,000 grant to the CLFP Foundation to secure the rights for the association to use the CLFP Handbook in developing online training.

The Board meets next under the leadership of Chairman Jud Snyder on May 14, preceding the association’s Capitol Connections program in Washington, D.C. Members are encouraged to attend Capitol Connections, which furthers ELFA’s grassroots program to educate Members of Congress and other federal policy makers in Washington on the contribution that the equipment finance industry makes to the U.S. economy. 

Video Celebrates “People Power”

How Can ELFA maximize the “People Power” that drives our organization and the $1 trillion equipment finance industry? The association recently put this question to a diverse group of industry professionals, including ELFA Chairman Jud Snyder, and we’re pleased to share their responses in a brief video. This video highlights how ELFA is guiding efforts to bring more voices and ideas into the industry and the association—and how you can get involved. Watch the video at www.elfaonline.org/news/Q4video.

Networking Events Attract Emerging Talent

Are you a future leader who’s interested in meeting more people in the industry? Please join ELFA at an Emerging Talent Networking Event in 2019: April 9 in Chicago, July 17 in Washington, D.C. and Sept. 16 in Chicago. These events, which are sponsored by the Emerging Talent Advisory Council, are a chance to hear from industry leaders and network with your fellow industry colleagues. There is no cost to attend but space is limited and you must register in advance. Watch for updates at www.elfaonline.org/events/.

2019 Dues Renewal Season is Here!

It’s that time of year again and the dues renewal campaign has begun. Renewal invoices for the 2019 membership year were mailed to the key contacts of all ELFA member companies on Nov. 1, 2018. Timely payment of 2019 membership dues will ensure uninterrupted access to indispensable benefits, such as federal and state advocacy updates, targeted industry research, discounted fees for ELFA events and much more. Please contact the ELFA Membership Department at [email protected] if you have any questions. We thank you for your continued support! 

Key Dates to Remember….
Nov. 1, 2018 – 2019 dues invoices mailed to Key Contacts 
Jan. 31, 2019 – Deadline to pay 2019 dues before benefits are affected
THROUGHOUT 2019 – Take advantage of ELFA’s many benefits!

Save the Date: 2019 ELFA Event

Take advantage of a wealth or learning and networking opportunities available to you and your staff as part of your ELFA membership. See the 2019 Educational Supplement in the published January-February 2019 EL&F magazine and visit our website at www.elfaonline.org/events.

Prepare for the Year Ahead at the Executive Roundtable

Presidents and CEOs of ELFA member companies should mark their calendars for the 2019 Executive Roundtable, March 10–12 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. The Executive Roundtable is designed to bring together CEOs and presidents of equipment finance companies to discuss the issues of the day, strategize about the future and create lasting business relationships. Attendance is limited to the top leaders from ELFA member companies, including service providers. Complete details can be found at www.elfaonline.org/events/2019/ERT. 

ELFA Forecasts Industry Trends

What are the top trends driving capital acquisition this year? Find out in ELFA’s Top 10 Equipment Acquisition Trends for 2019, released in January. Designed to help businesses with their strategic equipment acquisition plans, you can find the trends list on ELFA’s Equipment Finance Advantage website for end-users starting Jan. 29 at www.equipmentfinanceadvantage.org.

California Welcomes Equipment Managers 

If you are in equipment management, you can’t afford to miss the Equipment Management Conference and Exhibition, Feb. 24-26 at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California. This is the premier event for equipment managers, appraisers and remarketers and is attended by nearly 300 people you need to meet. See the top reasons to attend.

Learn the Fundamentals…and Have Fun! 

Do you want to stand out from the crowd? Expand your skills? Accelerate your career growth? Whether you’re new to the equipment finance industry or looking for a refresher, turn to ELFA’s new online training course, the Fundamentals of Equipment Leasing and Finance. “Be the boss” at your own equipment finance company—navigate through customer interactions and earn badges and upgrades as you go! From closing the sale to fielding customer requests and reviewing end-of-lease options, you’ll experience it all and receive guided feedback to reinforce learning. Learn more and check out a new video highlighting the key features at www.elfaonline.org/events/fundamentals.

Membership Minute

It’s a new year filled with possibilities and opportunity. What a great time to get involved by volunteering on an ELFA committee. ELFA is a volunteer-driven organization and each year, hundreds of volunteers from ELFA member companies contribute their time and energy to drive the association’s mission. If you would like to learn more about how to get involved and participate on a committee, contact Ed Rosen, Director of Governance, at [email protected]. Learn more at www.elfaonline.org/about/governance/governance-and-committee-guide/.

Excellence Recognized

Alexa Carnibella, ELFA Director of Professional Development, was named “Project Champion” by the e-learning company Designing Digitally for her work developing ELFA’s new Fundamentals of Equipment Leasing and Finance Online Course. Check out the course at www.elfaonline.org/events/fundamentals.

Find Your Superpower at the Women’s Leadership Forum

There is a superhero inside all of us—we just need the courage and skills to put on the cape! Come “Find Your Superpower” at the Women’s Leadership Forum, April 1–2 at The Conrad Hotel in Washington, D.C. This event will focus on leadership development for women at all stages of an equipment finance career. The agenda will feature dynamic speakers and offer time for attendee interaction and networking with other industry leaders. You’ll leave this event with valuable insights and powerful tools to enhance your career. This event is open to women and allies. Men are encouraged to attend, and we welcome your participation. Registration is limited to 150 attendees. Sponsored by the ELFA Women’s Council.

Explore the Silver Lining of Lease Accounting

To help you and your customers prepare for the new lease accounting rules, ELFA has released a new article, “The Silver Lining of Lease Accounting: What Organizations Should Know About the New Standard.” The article examines the impacts of ASC 842 and reveals that not only are many of the lease accounting changes relatively neutral, there is actually a silver lining with numerous positive impacts. Access this educational resource to share with your end-user customers at www.equipmentfinanceadvantage.org/newLAR.cfm.

Workshop Highlights Principles of Leasing and Finance 

ELFA is excited to offer three Principles of Leasing and Finance workshops in 2019:

• April 24–26 in Milwaukee
• June 17–19 in Washington, D.C.
• September 10–12 in Plano, TX

In addition, ELFA can bring the Principles workshop and the Beyond the Basics workshop directly to you. Our instructors educate your employees in your offices with a comprehensive and customized agenda. To learn more, go to www.elfaonline.org/POL or contact Alexa Carnibella at [email protected]. 

Four Roundtables Tackle Best Practices in 2019

Best practices roundtables are small, one-day meetings designed to facilitate the exchange of information among peers. Attendance is open to ELFA member companies only. Watch for updates on the following events at www.elfaonline.org/events: 

• Bank Roundtable, April 9, Chicago
• Independent Roundtable, April 9, Chicago
• Captive and Vendor Finance Roundtable, April 9, Chicago
• Tax Best Practices Roundtable, June 11–12, Denver
  
  
  

Jester Shares Insights

Your Safety in Mind

As the world evolves, ELFA is staying in tune with today’s conference security measures. We partner with our hosted hotels on security measures and protocol to ensure a successful conference for our attendees. ELFA has moved our larger conferences to branded name badges and is hiring off-duty police officers only. These new measures help to ensure the safety and security for all those joining ELFA conferences. We look forward to seeing you at one or more of our 2019 events. To view the complete 2019 event calendar with conference descriptions go to www.elfaonline.org/events. 

Nominations Open for Equipment Finance Hall of Fame

The Equipment Finance Hall of Fame annually recognizes individuals who have made unique, significant or lasting contributions to the industry and/or the association throughout their careers. Learn about the 2018 inductee and the 2019 nomination criteria and deadlines and access the online nomination form at www.elfaonline.org/hof. The deadline to nominate someone for the 2019 Class of the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame is April 1, 2019. Nominations will only be accepted via online submission. Please contact 
Ed Rosen at [email protected] if you have any questions.