65th Annual Convention Call for Presentations

• AI Use Cases at Scale – Identifying, curating, and deploying AI tools that deliver measurable impact across origination, servicing, and operations
• AI Governance & Risk Frameworks – Developing industry-tailored governance models for responsible AI adoption, including bias, data privacy, and regulatory compliance
• Technology Investment Strategy – Helping firms prioritize and execute AI and technology investments amid competing priorities and constrained budgets
• Fintechs & the Future of the Industry – Assessing the historical and evolving role of fintechs in equipment finance and their long-term implications for traditional lenders

• macroeconomic forces, tariff impacts, and their implications for equipment finance demand and portfolio performance
• Leading Indicators & Scenario Planning Tools – Developing and disseminating predictive insights and practical tools for forward-looking business planning
• Stakeholder Collaboration on Economic Events – Fostering peer-to-peer and cross-sector dialogue on how the industry can respond proactively to economic disruptions and opportunities

• Future Workforce Needs – Assessing the skills, roles, and competencies the industry will require as automation and AI reshape job functions
• Next-Generation Talent & Leadership Development – Cultivating emerging leaders and building the management pipeline through mentorship, succession planning, and structured development programs
• Academic Talent Pipelines – Strengthening and scaling partnerships with colleges and universities to recruit and develop industry-ready talent

• Engaging the Investment Community – Strategies to increase industry visibility with external stakeholders and proactively build relationships with investors and capital providers
• Evolving Funding Models – Expanding member understanding of how industry funding sources - including private equity, alternative finance, and securitization - are evolving
• Foreign Investment, M&A & Emerging Capital Sources – Research-grounded sessions on the influx of foreign capital, M&A trends, and new funding structures reshaping industry growth strategies

• Key Regulatory and Legal Developments – Timely federal and state regulatory developments, emerging case law, enforcement activity, and legal trends shaping the equipment finance industry.
• Compliance & Risk Management – Providing practical insights on compliance considerations, industry best practices, portfolio risk management, and operational resilience.
• Federal & State Advocacy – Strategic Engagement with policymakers at the federal and state levels, advancing industry priorities through coordinated advocacy and stakeholder engagement.

• Fraud Risk Awareness & Mitigation – Increasing member awareness of evolving fraud threats - including AI-enabled fraud - and proven strategies to mitigate exposure through education
• Real-Time Intelligence Sharing – Establishing and scaling platforms for peer-to-peer sharing of fraud signals, schemes, and mitigation strategies across the industry
• Industry-Tailored Fraud Prevention Guidance –  Developing and disseminating best practices specific to equipment finance - from origination fraud to portfolio-level risk monitoring

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

1. Timeliness – Current, relevant topics demonstrating innovative, adaptable thinking
2. Case Studies – Highlighting value through new or improved processes, strategies, products, or excellence in leadership
3. Research & Benchmarking – Presenting trends and insightful data
4. Networking Focus – Sessions promoting peer-to-peer networking and information sharing
5. Market Relevance – Topics of interest to specific market segments (e.g., small ticket, middle market) or emerging markets (e.g., energy, infrastructure)

• Each presenter/company may submit up to two proposals
• ELFA member companies are prioritized, but non-members may also submit
• Proposals should address critical issues related to the topics outlined above
• Panels should strive for diversity in gender, age, ethnicity, and race
• When multiple compatible proposals result in a higher quality session, ELFA may ask individuals to collaborate on a single combined session