What You Need to Know Now

ELFA Board Meets in D.C.

The ELFA Board of Directors met May 14 in Washington, D.C., under the leadership of Chairman Jud Snyder. The meeting kicked off a busy couple days of association-related activities, which included the annual Capitol Connections grassroots program and meetings of the association’s Business Council Steering Committees. During the Board meeting, ELFA leaders deliberated over a number of high-priority items focusing on the strategic direction of the association and the ultimate goal of ensuring that ELFA programs, products and services are responsive and continue to deliver value to members. The Board will meet next in October at the site of the ELFA Annual Convention in Washington, D.C. Its Executive Committee conducts its summer meeting August 4–6.

Build Your Career Roadmap

The Emerging Talent Advisory Council is pleased to introduce a new Career Development section of ELFA’s Emerging Talent webpage. Visit the page today at www.elfaonline.org/emerging-talent-careers to access:

• Career Mapping Series – Tips for setting goals and priorities to determine your career roadmap as well as discuss your future with leadership
• Industry Forecast: Cloudy, with a Chance of Millennials – Highlights from a panel discussion at the ELFA Annual Convention on attracting and retaining emerging talent
• Ask a Leader Interview Series – Conversations with established leaders with a diverse range of backgrounds and experience in equipment finance
• Networking – Tips for building relationships.

Calling All Future Leaders!

The July Emerging Talent Networking Event in Washington, D.C., drew more than 70 attendees from more than 35 member companies. Attendees had the opportunity to make new connections and strengthen existing relationships and many continued the networking with dinner afterward. The event was sponsored by GSG Financial and the Emerging Talent Advisory Council (ETAC), whose mission is to encourage industry employees to get involved in ELFA earlier in their careers and to attract the best and brightest to the industry. Your next chance to attend a networking event is Sept. 16 at the Hilton Chicago. Come hear from some of the industry’s best, followed by an opportunity to network with them and your peers. If you’re an ELFA member, we hope you’ll join us! The event will kick off with a meet and greet, after which attendees will enjoy roundtable discussions with industry executives, followed by a networking reception. To register, go to www.elfaonline.org/events. There is no cost to attend but space is limited. This event is sponsored by ETAC and Orion.

Operations & Technology Conference and Exhibition: Register Today

The Operations & Technology Conference and Exhibition, Sept. 16–18 at the Hilton Chicago, provides the latest information on technology, software and operation issues that impact equipment finance executives and your clients. This conference will give you the tools to succeed in shifting markets and ever-changing customer desires focused on the theme “The Future Is Here: Do You Have the Tools Necessary?” Get a sneak peek. For more information and to register, go to www.elfaonline.org/events/2019/OT/.

ELFA Launches Tech Innovation Leadership Series

Are you looking to engage in conversations with industry peers about technology innovation challenges? The ELFA Technology Innovation Work Group is launching a new Technology Innovation Leadership Series for senior leaders of ELFA member companies. The first event will be held August 20 in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and will focus on the customer experience. Join us to consider the possibilities for CX innovation and share ideas, insights and practical approaches for overcoming CX innovation challenges. Learn more and register at www.elfaonline.org/events.

Mark Your Calendar: Lease Accounting Conference

Get ready for a packed agenda at the Lease and Finance Accountants Conference, Sept. 16–18 at the Hilton Chicago. This event provides the most-up-to-date information on accounting issues that impact equipment lessors and your clients. Representatives from the FASB and the IASB will be on hand to discuss the lease accounting standards. For more information and to register, go to www.elfaonline.org/events/2019/LAC/.

Membership Minute

Keeping your company and individual profile current helps ELFA to know you better so we can continue to offer programs and services that fit your needs. Log into the ELFA website, click on Account Tools in the upper right-hand corner and select Update My Information (for individuals) or Update Company Profile (for companies). Only the key contact of a member company may update the company profile. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions or if you need assistance.

Marketers Meet

The ELFA Communications Committee met in D.C. recently to talk about a range of issues—from content marketing to maximizing ELFA and Foundation resources. To learn more about this group of communication and marketing execs, please contact Amy Vogt at [email protected].

Survey Says...

The Research Committee put the finishing touches on the 2019 Survey of Equipment Finance Activity at their meeting at ELFA headquarters this spring. Learn more about the new report—and the online Interactive SEFA Dashboard and MySEFA tool.

Spotlight On: Credit and Collections

The ELFA Credit and Collections Management Conference & Exhibition experienced another year of record-setting attendance when more than 170 senior credit and collections execs, 10 exhibitors and 51 first-time attendees convened in St. Petersburg, Florida, June 3–5. The theme of the conference was “Innovation & Evolution: Digitizing for the Future.” Attendees got up-to-speed on the latest industry strategies, trends and forecasts in credit and collections. Hot topics included regulatory issues currently impacting the industry from both a bank and non-bank perspective, risk management practices that make good business sense and a review of both the credit and collections benchmarking data. Participants enjoyed multiple opportunities to network and discuss industry best practices, including a Senior Management Breakfast and Women’s Council Brunch. Even the hot Florida sun couldn’t slow down this conference!

ELFA Online Course Wins Award

The Fundamentals of Equipment Leasing and Finance online training course has earned a Gold Award in the 2018 Horizon Interactive Awards. The award recognizes accomplishments in interactive media developments from all over the world. The overhauled Fundamentals course engages users through an interactive, online interface that provides “virtual” hands-on experience and training in equipment finance. Learn more at www.elfaonline.org/events/fundamentals.

Be the Boss with the Fundamentals Online Course

The Fundamentals of Equipment Leasing and Finance is designed for those who are new to the equipment finance industry, or as a refresher for those with more experience. You’ll “be the boss” at Strategic Equipment Leasing and Finance, Inc. (S.E.L.F)—navigating through customer interactions, identifying the departments and individuals that should be involved in each step and earning 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 will receive guided feedback to reinforce learning. For more information, go to www.elfaonline.org/events/fundamentals.

Tax Pros Gather

ELFA’s Tax Best Practices Roundtable in Denver, June 11–12, attracted over 40 tax practitioners from ELFA member companies. Attendees focused on recent developments regarding federal and state compliance and planning issues. Highlights included updates on federal and state income tax, sales tax, personal property tax and audit best practices and two special sessions on sales tax considerations with the sale/purchase of a leased-asset portfolio and AI and Robotic Process Automation. Attendees also enjoyed a networking reception sponsored by Ryan, LLC. Many thanks to Karen Lee-Toy and CoBank for hosting this year’s event and to Vertex for sponsoring the Roundtable. If you’re interested in attending a future roundtable or serving on the Tax Best Practices Roundtable Planning Committee, please contact Scott Riehl at [email protected] or Alexa Carnibella at [email protected].