“MOMENTUM” was the appropriately-named theme and the undeniable force of the 2025 ELFA Annual Convention. With over 1,200 equipment finance professionals in attendance in Marco Island, Florida, this event highlighted the industry’s accomplishments this year. With a focus on key topics of policy & progress, workforce evolution, and innovation & growth, attendees gained fresh perspectives, learned forward-looking strategies, and connected with industry leaders and colleagues.

Opening Session

James Cress, ELFA’s 2025 Board Chair, kicked off the Monday morning General Session with a report on the state of the association. Reflecting on the past year, Cress shared some of the association’s latest data and said, “We’re growing, confidence is strong and new business volumes are surging.” Even when  some curveballs hit the industry earlier in the year, Cress commended the industry’s characteristic strengths and said , “We got creative. We found ways to be resilient. And we did more than just weather the storm—we found ways to thrive.”

He reflected on the momentum of ELFA successes in 2025, including:

• On his first major priority of advocacy: historic tax advances with the passage of a permanent return to the EBITDA standard and 100% depreciation expensing, effectively stalling Section 1071, and notching record attendance at Capitol Connections.
• On his second major priority of investing in people: Launching  the Power of People Summit, which streamlined various Inclusion groups and events under a unified framework, and rolling out he three-part workforce strategy of Attract, Train, Retain to evolve our programs to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.

Following Cress’s remarks, leadership and culture expert and best-selling author Jon Gordon gave attendees an essential framework of positive leadership to navigate constant change: Leadership is a transfer of belief. It’s not about ignoring reality; it’s about choosing how we show up and transferring a winning belief to our teams so they can always find a way forward, through any challenge.

Historic Announcement

A historic step for equipment finance was announced during the opening session: Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP) has formally announced its intent to enter into an affiliation agreement with ELFA.

CLFP Board President Candace Reinhart and CLFP CEO Reid Raykovich joined ELFA President & CEO Leigh Lytle, sharing the news during their fireside chat on stage.

This strategic partnership is a commitment to strengthening the shared mission of professional excellence and elevating the CLFP designation across the equipment finance landscape.

Foundation Luncheon

At the Foundation Luncheon, Executive Director Kelli Nienaber provided updates on the organization’s foundational purpose of investing in the industry’s future workforce through Campus to Career presentations, student scholarships, university partnerships and internship resources. She shared that the Foundation will be making a shift that aligns with its foundational purpose of investing in the future workforce. By putting workforce development front and center–and aligning more with ELFA’s mantra of Attract, Train, Retain–Nienaber explained that this will allow more Foundation resources to get behind initiatives with the most meaning and momentum. As part of this shift, research programming and production will transition to ELFA to unify historical data, current trends, and future-looking insights into a single, streamlined operation.

Outgoing Foundation Board of Trustee Chair Zack Marsh, thanked Foundation donors, volunteers and Trustees, and introduced incoming Chair Miles Herman.

Daryl Muller, ELFA COO and Corporate Secretary, offered more information on the plan to integrate ELFA’s and the Foundation’s research initiatives beginning in 2026. Working together, the ELFA and Foundation Research Committees will create a business intelligence ecosystem that is designed to deliver greater value to members through an annual research agenda, data-driven insights and actionable analysis.

Kyla Scanlon, educator, content creator who makes economics accessible, and author of  “In This Economy,” delivered a powerful keynote on the attention economy and the age of uncertainty. She shared research on how technology and demographics are shaping the future of how we live and work, and joined Leigh Lytle for Q&A.

Momentous Tuesday General Session

Leigh Lytle, President & CEO of ELFA, delivered her annual address to members during the Tuesday morning General Session, sharing a powerful vision for our industry as a community. Echoing the ELFA board chair James Cress’s remarks on the major wins for the association and the industry this year, she reiterated ELFA’s dedication to shaping the future of equipment finance with our members.

In thanking attendees, she asked them to continue building on the successes and momentum realized so far:

• Connect with one new person at this conference to create the next generation of this incredible community.
• Take one new risk to embrace the future of technology.
• Find one new way to give back to this community between now and the next annual convention.

Michael Phelps, the most decorated swimmer of all time, joined Lytle for a fireside chat. He shared his remarkable journey and powerful insights into mental resilience and peak performance. A special thank-you to Channel for their partnership with ELFA on this keynote address.

Passing the Gavel

Deb Baker took to the General Session stage as she stepped into the role of 2026 ELFA Board Chair. Building on the strong momentum led by Immediate Past Chair, James Cress, she is ready to lead ELFA into its next phase of growth and innovation. Her focus on education, research, and advocacy will help shape an even stronger and more welcoming  future for equipment finance.

Welcoming Emerging Talent

This year’s convention spotlighted the participation of emerging talent. The association was thrilled to welcome a group of outstanding young professionals who attended the convention for the first time through ELFA’s new Talent Pipeline Opportunity Fund. The fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of talent in equipment finance by covering the costs of the convention to help emerging leaders engage with the industry, build connections, and grow their careers.

• Cori Drake, CLFP, Marketing Manager, AP Equipment Financing
• Jonathan Edwards, Fraud Prevention Program Manager, Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
• Justin Issacs, Equipment Finance Associate, CIBC Bank USA
• Austin Law, CLFP, Associate Manager, Portfolio Marketing, Stryker Flex Financial
• Erica Padilla, Assistant Sales Manager, LEAF Commercial Capital Inc.
• Juan Jose Patiño, Sales Development Representative, Kin Analytics
• Warren Scott, Partner Success Manager, PEAC Solutions

Macy Starnes, who completed the Survey of Commercial Equipment Leasing & Finance Course at the G. Brint Ryan College of Business at the University of North Texas and earned a CLFP Student Certificate, took to the stage at the Monday General Session. She shared how the opportunity to learn about the industry at the college level made a real difference—she’s since landed a position with Wintrust Commercial Finance as a credit analyst. [Read “Equipment Finance Curriculum: ROI for Students, Employers, and the Industry” in the October issue of Equipment Leasing & Finance Magazine.]

Return of the Hub Experience

The Hub Experience provided a strong lineup of micro-sessions and talks from industry leaders and special guests, conveniently scheduled around general and breakout sessions. The series allowed opportunities for new ideas and industry tools to be shared to our members throughout the convention.

AWARDS RECOGNITION

2025 Equipment Finance Hall of Fame Inductee

Ralph Petta was honored as the 2025 inductee to the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame. For over three decades, he played an instrumental role in ELFA's growth and success. With his unwavering commitment to ELFA’s mission, extensive industry knowledge and leadership, he guided the association through periods of tremendous change, strengthened our voice in Washington, and deepened the connection among our members. In 2016, he was appointed President and CEO, and served until his retirement in 2023.

Michael J. Fleming Distinguished Service Award

Lauren Baingo, CLFP, Program Manager at DLL, was presented with the Michael J. Fleming Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to ELFA. She has been a vital force in ELFA, advancing a stronger sense of community among our members and serving as a visionary leader for pivotal initiatives, including our Power of People Summit and pilot mentorship program. Her dedication has been vital to keeping our industry and association on track with our strategic plan to Attract, Train, and Retain top talent in equipment finance.

2025 Advocacy Champions Award

Independent Business Council Steering Committee (BCSC) Chair James Currier, CLFP, accepted the 2025 Advocacy Champions Award on behalf of his committee at the ELFA Annual Convention. Board Chair James Cress presented the award, which recognizes participation by ELFA’s BCSCs in advocacy initiatives.

Members Give Back

In an annual tradition, ELFA members participated in two community service events: Beach Clean Up: Save the Turtles! and Build a Bear in support of Youth Haven, an organization that fulfills an immediate need for emergency shelter for children who have been removed suddenly from a traumatic home situation. In addition to members volunteering their time, ELFA made donations of $13,000 to each charitable organization.

Sponsor and Exhibitor Shout-Out

The partnership, participation, and ongoing commitment of ELFA’s convention sponsors and exhibitors are indispensable to our mission to serve this industry.