Annual Convention Draws Large Turnout

The ELFA community gathers for the association’s Annual Convention.

 

The Convention drew the largest turnout in over a decade.

THE ELFA COMMUNITY showed up in full force for the association’s 58th Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., in October. The three-day event brought together more than 1,130 industry executives from across the nation and the world—the largest turnout in well over a decade—to network, exchange best practices and address critical issues and trends affecting the industry and their businesses.

Presidential historian Michael Beschloss


Economist Dr. Marci Rossell


CNN anchor Jake Tapper

Keynote speakers addressed packed audiences, sharing their perspectives on a range of issues relevant to the industry. Presidential historian Michael Beschloss kicked off the Monday General Session with an insightful look at presidential politics and the leadership skills that have shaped the course of the nation. Following Beschloss’ remarks, outgoing ELFA Chair Jud Snyder joined him on-stage for a Q&A session.

At the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation luncheon, Foundation Chair Jeff Elliott rolled out the new Equipment Leasing & Finance Industry Horizon Report, and economist Dr. Marci Rossell gave a lively assessment of the state of the economy and what may lie ahead, followed by a Q&A session with Elliott.

At the Tuesday General Session, CNN anchor Jake Tapper gave an insider’s view of current events in the nation’s capital, followed by a Q&A session with incoming ELFA Chair Martha Ahlers.

Snyder passed the leadership torch to incoming Board Chair Martha Ahlers.

New this year, rather than breaking apart for separate business council luncheons on Tuesday, attendees came together for a Community Luncheon. The luncheon recognized the five Business Council Steering Committees, which play an important role in the ELFA community. Kirk Phillips accepted the inaugural Advocacy Champions Award on behalf of the Financial Institutions Business Council Steering Committee. In addition, leadership expert Mark Scharenbroich entertained attendees with a spirited and often humorous look at how to create more meaningful relationships and acknowledge, honor and connect with others.

Kirk Phillips accepted the Advocacy Champions Award on behalf of the Financial Institutions Business Council Steering Committee.

 

Leadership speaker Mark Scharenbroich

More than 60 industry professional spoke at 16 concurrent breakout sessions on a wide range of topics, including technology and innovation, the customer experience, managed solutions, the regulatory environment, emerging talent, hiring, fraud, e-docs and much more.

Breakout sessions covered a variety of hot topics.

 

Spread across two exhibit halls, more than 30 exhibitors showcased the latest products and services for the industry.

 

The Face of ELFA Is Changing, Says Snyder

2019 Chair Jud Snyder

In his Convention address, outgoing Chair Jud Snyder, President of BMO Harris Equipment Finance, highlighted ELFA’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. He opened his remarks with an video montage showcasing a diverse group of ELFA members smiling and dancing, with one face morphing into the next.

“I had an idea to put this video together because I wanted to highlight the changing face of ELFA…Why it’s important, and what we all have to gain from it,” Snyder explained.

He argued that in an increasingly competitive landscape, it’s more important than ever for ELFA and the equipment finance industry to embrace diversity and welcome all ideas to the table.

The Women’s Council Reception drew a large crowd.

“We’re actively encouraging input from more diverse groups in a number of ways,” he reported. “ELFA has been broadening its gathering of feedback from the membership to achieve a perspective that’s informed generationally, ethnically and by gender.”

Snyder discussed the creation of the Emerging Talent Advisory Council, the Women’s Council and the new Equality Committee.

ELFA’s new Equality Committee convened at the Convention, chaired by Scott Thacker (pictured front row, fourth from right).

“We’ve gathered a diverse group of constituents onto the Steering Committee with the goal of having everyone’s voices heard, identifying areas where they aren’t being included and determining how we can do better to include them.”

He stressed that companies that focus on including diverse voices in all facets of their business outperform their peers who don’t.

“We are a community and when we come together we have the power to make our industry—and each other—better and stronger. Moving that community in a direction that welcomes all is powerful, is bold and is our future,” he said, adding, “I can’t wait to see what this room looks like in the years to come.”

We Are ELFA, Says Petta

In his Convention address, ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta celebrated the association community. He opened his remarks with a story about Marshall University, where his son went to school. Each autumn the chant “We are Marshall” fills the school’s football stadium, in tribute to the school’s community, past and present. Petta proposed an ELFA version of the motto. “When I think about who we are as a group, all 580 member companies, I know that we are a community, too. We are ELFA.”

Snyder and Petta presented the Michael J. Fleming Distinguished Service Award to Lori Frasier.

Petta highlighted the many ways ELFA members come together to benefit each other and the industry as a whole. “We are a special collection of professionals—fierce competitors in the marketplace—who come together under the umbrella of ELFA to engage with each other and share, to learn from each other, to experiment and talk about the results, and to educate others about our industry and its important role in our economy.”

Petta thanked all members for their involvement and shared a series of video clips of members discussing how they benefit from ELFA initiatives, including advocacy, research, the Women’s Council, the Emerging Talent Advisory Council, community service projects and more.

He noted that members achieve collectively what they cannot do on their own. “As individuals, we do so much to contribute to our families, our companies and the companies of our customers. But together in this community, we are more than the sum of our parts… We’re all here for different reasons, but together, we are ELFA.”