Time to Level Up

"Next Level Success!" was a rallying cry that drew the largest turnout in 20 years to the 2024 ELFA Annual Convention. More than 1,155 equipment finance professionals gathered in Austin, Texas from Oct. 27-29 to seize new opportunities, drive growth and propel the industry forward. With a focus on innovation, speakers and sessions looked to the future, paving the way for discussions on forward-thinking strategies throughout the event.

Keynote Speakers

Kicking off the Monday morning General Session, outgoing ELFA Board Chair Rob Boyer reported on the state of the association. With the highest member count since 2008 and a new leader—President and CEO Leigh Lytle—at the helm, he reported that the association “is in a great spot.”

ELFA Board Chair Robert Boyer opens the Convention's General Session.

“We’ve got a whole pipeline of new initiatives that are designed to enhance our value proposition to you,” said Boyer, spotlighting five key initiatives underway:

• Increasing awareness of the equipment finance industry
• Transforming the association’s advocacy strategy in an evolving regulatory landscape
• Meeting a growing demand for training with resources like the new Onboarding Series of online courses, which are free for members
• Expanding association membership to private equity and other investors to drive innovation and bolster the industry’s capital resources
• Modernizing ELFA’s tech platform to better serve members
  

Boyer also recognized special award winners, including Michael J. Fleming Distinguished Service Award winner Donna Yanuzzi and Equipment Finance Hall of Fame inductees Bruce Kropschot and Tony Golobic.

Boyer and Lytle present Donna Yanuzzi (center) with the Michael J. Fleming Distinguished Service Award.

Boyer with Equipment Finance Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Kropschot.

Boyer with Equipment Finance Hall of Fame inductee Tony Golobic.

Following Boyer’s remarks, geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan energized the audience with insights into shifting global demographics and their potential impact on economics and politics. A lively Q&A with Boyer followed.

Boyer and Zeihan

At the Foundation Luncheon, Executive Director Kelli Nienaber and Chair Zack Marsh, CLFP shared updates on exciting research initiatives and Campus-to-Career developments. Then former United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz joined President and CEO Leigh Lytle for a fireside chat on leadership and building a resilient business culture by prioritizing a “people-first” approach.

Lytle and Munoz

New Initiatives and a Commitment to Change

Lytle’s remarks at the Tuesday morning General Session emphasized her delight at learning over the past year about the hallmark resilience of the equipment finance industry and its essential role in driving economic growth. She shared her excitement about the industry’s role powering the future of American business.

Echoing Boyer’s remarks, Lytle outlined key areas the association is focused on, including advancing ELFA’s data and research, raising industry awareness and strengthening advocacy efforts.

Following Lytle’s remarks, Boyer passed the leadership torch to incoming Board Chair James Cress.

Boyer ceremoniously passes his duties on to incoming Board Chair James Cress.

Political analyst Amy Walter rounded out the morning by offering her take on the elections and the political climate, followed by a Q&A with ELFA’s Andy Fishburn.

Walter and Fishburn

New Educational Tracks

New this year, educational sessions were organized into three dynamic tracks: Financial & Operational Strategies & Insights; Tech Innovation & Emerging Trends; and Policy, Legal & Regulatory. Industry experts spoke at 16 breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics, from market expansion to workforce trends, AI applications, climate finance and regulatory challenges shaping the future of equipment finance.

One of the 16 breakout sessions.

A New Hub for Connection and Innovation

Also new this year, a learning and networking space called “The Hub” showcased HubTalks and TechTalks on topics ranging from credit training to career transitions. Visitors to the Hub also got to meet ELFie, a new AI knowledge assistant designed to provide quick and easy access to information and resources about ELFA and the Foundation.

The Hub

ELFie, a new AI knowledge assistant, with ELFA's Lisa Ramirez.

Adjacent to the Hub, the Convention's Exhibit Hall was abuzz with industry providers offering cutting-edge industry solutions. A record 46 exhibitors showcased the latest products and services in the sold-out exhibit hall.

Exploring alternative reality in the Exhibit Hall.

A view of the bustling Exhibit Hall.

Members Give Back

Along with attending educational sessions, Convention attendees rode in the Jim McGrane Charity Bike Ride and volunteered at two community service projects:

• Planting trees with TreeFolks: Volunteers planted over 500 trees and other native plants along a portion of a 10-mile hike-and-bike trail that is Austin’s most renowned and well-liked recreational area, with nearly 5 million visits annually. TreeFolks organizers wrote to ELFA:

  
  Thank you so much to ELFA for your commitment to our work and for sponsoring a great event! We are so grateful for your financial support that made the planting possible, and for all of you who came and planted with us! We are finally expecting some rain this week after a long drought, so it seems like we got these planted right on time! 

• Packing meal kits for U.S. Hunger: Volunteers packed 20,616 meals of Red Lentil Jambalaya for families fighting food insecurity. U.S. Hunger organizers wrote to ELFA:

  
  At U.S. Hunger we truly believe that we are better together, and our mission wouldn't be possible without partners like you. Because of your generosity, families in need are receiving the help they deserve. Thank you for joining the fight against hunger! 

Thanks to the generosity of member sponsors and hard-working volunteers, ELFA made a financial donation of $13,000 to TreeFolks and $13,000 to U.S. Hunger.

Volunteers packed 20,616 meals for U.S. Hunger.

Convention attendees planted over 500 trees and other native plants along a hike-and-bike trail in Austin.

Cyclists celebrate ELFA's $13,000 donation to TreeFolks.

The association invited attendees to donate to U.S. Hunger to feed families as they rebuild from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Every dollar given will provide four meals, packed by volunteers in their warehouse and delivered to families in need.

Attendees at the People Power Reception

Looking Forward

Throughout the Convention, a commitment to resilience, innovation and shared growth stood out in every session, interaction and keynote, underscoring that “Next Level Success” is not just a theme—it’s the industry’s future.

Save the date: The 2025 ELFA Annual Convention will be held October 26–28 at the JW Marco Island Beach Resort in Marco Island, FL.