A very successful 53rd ELFA Annual Convention wrapped up on Oct. 21 following three days of high-quality learning and networking. More than 1,000 attendees convened at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego for the event, which is the largest and most important annual gathering of equipment leasing and finance professionals.
On Sunday, attendees rolled up their sleeves at community-service projects and participated in the Jim McGrane Charity Bicycle Ride. Thanks to the generosity of ELFA member companies, ELFA donated $10,500 to Disabled American Veterans and $10,500 to I Love a Clean San Diego. In the evening, members attended networking receptions, including the Women in Leasing Reception and the New Members and First-Time Attendees Reception. At the Welcome Reception, attendees browsed exhibits and visited with industry leaders and business partners.
On Monday, 2014 ELFA Chairman Adam Warner kicked off the morning General Session with an address focused on the economy, the industry and leadership (in keeping with the Convention theme “Leading Into the Future”). Warner’s remarks were followed by a keynote address by General Michael Hayden, who shared lessons in geopolitical leadership. ELFA provided live streaming of the General Session to members who were not able to be there in person.
Monday’s luncheon, hosted by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, celebrated Foundation donors and included a keynote address by Robert Wescott, PhD, head of Keybridge Research, on the state of the equipment finance industry. Wescott shared highlights from the Foundation’s just-released State of the Equipment Finance Industry report.
Throughout the day, attendees participated in breakout sessions on critical industry topics. Attendees also visited the Exhibit Hall, which showcased the latest technology and services available to help increase the operational efficiency of their companies.
On Tuesday, President and CEO Woody Sutton addressed the morning General Session, presenting his annual state of the association address. He announced ELFA’s new Equipment Finance Hall of Fame and previewed the association’s 2015-17 Strategic Plan. Sutton’s remarks were followed by the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to industry veteran John Bober, the announcement of the newly elected 2015 ELFA Officers and Directors, and a keynote address from political expert Charlie Cook.
At the Tuesday luncheon meetings, hosted by the Small Ticket, Independent Middle Market, Financial Institutions, Captive and Vendor Finance, and Service Provider Business Councils, members discussed the latest trends affecting their business sectors. On Tuesday evening, following an afternoon of educational breakout sessions, the Convention concluded with a closing reception aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway.
Once again, ELFA recorded sessions from the Convention and recordings—along with downloadable handouts, session descriptions and speaker bios—will be available soon via ELFA's Conference Resource Center.
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