Emergence2024 : ELFA v4

Emergence2024

July 11 - July 12, 2024

Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA

Great leaders attract, hire and inspire great people!

What is Emergence?

Brought to you by the Emerging Talent Advisory Council (ETAC), Emergence2024 is a two-day leadership program for emerging talent from ELFA member companies.

Come enjoy an immersive experience tailored to ignite the potential of emerging talent within the dynamic world of equipment leasing and finance. This year’s theme for Emergence2024 is "Dream Big, Start Small, Level Up,” designed to inspire, educate, and connect individuals who are poised to shape the future of this industry.

NEW in 2024: The Equity Forum will also take place July 11-12th at the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia, PA. Receive a $75 discount if you register for both events. Don’t miss out!

For questions contact Janet Fianko at jfianko@elfaonline.org. Choose a Package

Key Themes:

Dream Big: Explore visionary strategies, innovative technologies, and forward-thinking approaches that define the future landscape of equipment leasing and finance. Dreamers become pioneers, and this segment encourages attendees to envision possibilities beyond the status quo.

Start Small: Delve into practical insights, actionable steps, and foundational skills essential for launching and navigating successful careers in equipment leasing and finance. From building strong financial acumen to mastering negotiation techniques, this segment empowers attendees to start their journey with confidence.

Level Up: Elevate your expertise, expand your network, and advance your career trajectory through advanced workshops, interactive sessions, and strategic discussions. Leveling up is about continuous growth and progression, and this segment provides the tools and resources to propel emerging talent to new heights of success.

Highlights:

Inspiring Keynote Addresses: Hear from industry leaders, visionaries, and trailblazers who share their personal stories, insights, and wisdom to inspire and motivate attendees to dream big and strive for excellence.

Interactive Workshops: Engage in hands-on workshops led by experts in finance, technology, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Gain practical skills, tools, and strategies to kickstart your career journey and navigate challenges effectively.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, mentors, and industry professionals during networking breaks, panel discussions, and social events. Forge meaningful relationships, exchange ideas, and expand your professional network.

Career Development Resources: Access resources, mentorship, and career advancement guidance to support your growth and development in the equipment leasing and finance industry.

Why should I send my emerging leaders to Emergence2024?

When employees are engaged and developing, they stick around. It’s that simple. And because your employees are your greatest assets, providing them with the leadership skills they need will help your company continue to thrive. Investing in your rising leaders shows them that you value their contribution and future within your organization. Emergence sessions, discussions, activities and takeaways empower attendees with the leadership skills necessary to excel in equipment finance. Because great leaders attract, hire and inspire great people!

Who Should Attend?

Attendees should be those who have the ability and desire to lead, grow and make a positive impact on others. These are individuals considered to be high-potential future leaders in their respective organizations and the industry. Whether this is their first-time attending Emergence, or their sixth, this year’s revamped program is designed to captivate and inspire.

Sponsorships!

Why should I sponsor this event?

Your sponsorship offers several important benefits, including increased visibility, leadership status and a reputation as an industry supporter. Furthermore, sponsored events like Emergence2024 cater to niche audiences and promising young talent in the industry. You gain opportunities to engage one on one with the next generation in the industry and it allows attendees to form positive opinions about your company when your business is tied to goodwill events. It’s also a great opportunity to engage future talent and grow your reputation and image as a change agent in the industry. Studies have shown the emerging workforce loves brands that care about spreading positive messages and helping the community. Linking your business to a worthy cause like Emergence2024 can draw new talent, brand loyalty and lasting support and media attention.

To receive more information about sponsoring, please contact Steve Wafalosky at 440-247-1060 or stevew@cvmpmedia.com.

Questions?

Contact Eboni Preston-Laurent at epreston@elfaonline.org.

Registration Fees

Price Description	Amount
ELFA Member	$540.00
Equity Forum and Emergence Package	$465.00
Equity Forum C'ttee Member and Emergence Package	$495.00
Equity Forum Committee Member	$495.00
ETAC Mem, Emerg C'ttee Mem and Equity Forum Attend	$420.00
ETAC Member	$495.00
Non member	$1080.00
Speaker	$0.00

View cancellation and other policies

Schedule

Download the conference schedule for session descriptions and a list of speakers.

Available Functions

	Charity Networking Event - July 10, 2024 at 5:00 pm Sponsored by ETAC and the Equity Committee. This event will be capped at 30 attendees.
	Dine Around - July 11, 2024 Community Table Dinner Group Note: An email will be sent out prior to the conference with instructions for choosing your desired restaurant.
	Dietary Restrictitions
	Topics of Interest Please enter two of the below topics that you would be most interested in learning more about, as it relates to Equipment Leasing:
	Accounting & Finance
	Credit
	Operations
	Sales
	Technology

Speakers

Robert Boyer CLFP

President
First Commonwealth Equipment Finance

Robert Boyer is currently President of First Commonwealth Equipment Finance, a division of First Commonwealth Bank. Most recently, he was Senior Director and Senior Vice President at TCF Capital Solutions, a division of TCF Bank. Prior to that, he was the President of BB&T Commercial Equipment Capital Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T), now Truist.

He is the 2024 ELFA Board Chair.

Rob has held a variety of positions throughout his career, including Sales Executive, Syndications Manager, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Syndications and Executive Vice President. He has served as Treasurer of the ELFA Board and is a member of its Executive Committee. Previously, he chaired ELFA’s Membership Committee and Small Ticket Business Council Steering Committee. He also has served as a Director for the Certified Leasing and Finance Professional Foundation (CLFP).

Rob has been working in the equipment finance industry since 1995. He holds a bachelor’s degree from LaSalle University and attended the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

James Cress

Vice President & General Manager
Flex Financial, Stryker

James is the Vice President and General Manager of Stryker’s captive finance arm, Flex Financial. He joined the company in 2008 and is responsible for delivering financial solutions that make it easier for Stryker’s customers to reach their clinical and financial goals. Previously, James was Senior Vice President and Vendor Business Unit Director for eight years at National City Commercial Capital and he spent several years as a Vice President in Small Business Banking at US Bank.

James has been an active member of ELFA since 2000 and has served as a Director on its board. He is currently serving as Vice Chair and is the current board liaison to the Emerging Talent Advisory Committee. He has previously served as LeasePAC Chair, regularly attends Capitol Connections, and has been a member of the Captive and Vendor Finance Business Council Steering Committee, Women’s Council, and provided ELFA Guest Lectures at Michigan State University.

James holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in executive leadership and organizational change from Northern Kentucky University.

Nick Fong CLFP

Chief Marketing Officer & CTO
AP Equipment Financing

Nick Fong, CLFP is the CMO & CTO of AP Equipment Financing. Mr. Fong started his career in the equipment financing industry in 2010, working for an AP owned originations group by the name of First Star Capital.

Mr. Fong's career at AP has focused on collaborating with the executive team to develop holistic, contextual, and creative marketing strategies for AP's target markets. Throughout his career Mr. Fong leveraged his curiosity for technology to explore and implement various platforms across the multiple departments of AP.

Acquiring his CLFP (Certified Lease & Finance Professionals) designation in 2014, he has helped instruct multiple ALFP (Academy for Lease & Finance Professionals) events over the past few years.

He now lives in Bend, OR with his wife and their twin boys. They enjoy traveling, dining, and exploring Oregon. He has a B.A. in Marketing from San Diego State University and an M.B.A. from California State University East Bay where he double majored in Marketing Management and Financial Management.

Jene Hill

Global DE&I Manager
DLL

As a 12-year veteran at DLL, Jene started her career in customer service as a contractor initially for only 90 days. She was hired full-time and received several promotions in customer service, collections and recovery and project management. Jene also created DLL's College Diversity Accelerator Program (CDAP). CDAP is a six-year internship program that targets under priviledged high school students to provide career development opportunities and college tuition assistance. Most recently, Jene became a Gobal DE&I Manager at DLL. She's excited for her new role because she believes helping everyone have an equiptable path is her calling.

Jennifer Martin CLFP

Chief Product Officer
LTi Technology Solutions

Jen Martin is the Chief Product Officer at LTi Technology Solutions. In her role as CPO Jen leads the Product and Client Success teams. Jen is responsible for managing LTi's investment in new product and technologies, providing value added solutions to critical customer and market problems.

Jen Martin has been in the equipment finance industry and was at Key Equipment Finance (KEF) for 28 years. She has held many roles over that time including Operations Manager for various support/client service areas and Originations teams, Technology Project Manager, Technology product owner and Quality assurance manager. In 2019, she led the team that implemented ASPIRE and was a lead on the team that upgraded KEF’s end to end technology stack. Most recently, Jen Martin was part of the Key Equipment Finance senior leadership team, responsible for the successful execution of KEF’s technology roadmap, aligning technology tools with the needs of Key Equipment Finance’s clients and employees. Additionally, Jen led a sales enablement team that enables KEF’s growth success through data driven strategic modeling, problem solving, helping market Key’s capabilities and exceeding client expectations through the implementation of innovative technology tools.

Jen Martin is also a founding member of the ELFA Women’s council, immediate past chair for the ELFA Operations and Technology Committee/Conference, a member of the Monitor’s Editorial Board and is part of the ELFA’s Innovation Advisory council.

Jake Nguyen CLFP

VP, Credit Manager
Wintrust Specialty Finance

As a vice president, credit manager and founding member of Wintrust Specialty Finance, Jake Nguyen has been critical in building the credit infrastructure that supports a rapidly growing portfolio.

Nguyen is responsible for hiring, developing and managing a team of credit professionals that specialize in providing exceptional customer service and innovative financing solutions for Wintrust Specialty Finance’s partners. He has also been an instrumental member of the leadership team in providing the foundation for business processes and enhancements. Being one of the four founding members of the company, making the blueprint for credit infrastructure and the team has been one of the top accomplishments and learning opportunities of Nguyen’s career. He has also earned his Certified Lease & Finance Professional designation and is a current member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association.

Adam Ohme CLFP

SVP / Director of Operations
Channel

Pierre Quinn

Motivational Speaker

Pierre Quinn is on a mission to help people from all walks of life harness the courage to live, learn, and lead with confidence. Pierre is the author of Leading While Green: How Emerging Leaders Can Ripen Into Effective Leaders and Leading While Scared: How To Find The Courage To Keep Going.

Today as founder of The Cardell Group he travels the country speaking to leaders at conferences, conventions, retreats, and training sessions.

While Pierre does love motivating, challenging, and inspiring leaders, he loves his wife and two daughters even more. He and his family live in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

David Stephens

Development and Engagement Manager
Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation

From flipping burgers in rural Oklahoma to working in the United States Senate, David Stephens learned the importance of finding mentors who influenced his career and life's direction. Driven by a vision of equality and change, he strives to be a connector to foster a more unified nation that benefits everyone. David has joined the industry as an Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation team member. You can always find him in line waiting for an iced coffee or talking about the one time he ran a half-marathon.

Matthew Vazzana CLFP

National Account Executive
Huntington Technology Finance

Matt is currently a National Account Executive at Huntington Technology Finance. He joined the Equipment Finance industry more than 10 years ago and has enjoyed serving customers in various roles including sales, operations, and program management. In his current role, he is responsible for developing and managing financing programs for OEMs, distributors, and national VARs within the technology space.

Matt consistently ranks in the top tier of sales performers at Huntington. He is a two-time Gold Sales Achievement winner and earned Top Vendor Sales Rep in 2021. He is also a member of the ELFA's Emerging Talent Advisory Council (ETAC).

Hotel Information

Emergence2024 will be held at the Hilton Philadelphia Penn’s Landing, 201 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Rooms at the hotel are available to conference attendees at a discounted rate of $219 +tax. The discounted room rate is available until EITHER the room block sells out OR the discounted rate expires on June 19, 2024, at 6:00pm ET. Check in time is 4:00 pm and check-out time is 11:00 am.

Make hotel reservations through the online link below or by calling reservations at 1 (800) 774-1500.

Make hotel reservations online here: www.hilton.com/reservations
REMEMBER The discounted rate has been extended and now expires on August 1, 2024, at 6:00pm ET. Reservations made after this date are based on hotel availability and may be at a higher rate.

Steps from waterfront activities on the Delaware River, the hotel is a mile from the Liberty Bell, the convention center, Reading Terminal, and the Museum of the American Revolution. Adjacent to Spruce Street Harbor Park and walking distance to shops and galleries in Old City - you will enjoy river views and easy walking distance to restaurants, shopping and nightlife.

Getting There

The Hilton Philadelphia Penn’s Landing is located 12 miles/20 minutes from the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

Parking

Parking is available at $37 per day for self-parking. Non-Hotel guests are not guaranteed parking.

RiverLink Ferry

The RiverLink Ferry dock is located just outside the hotel doors. The Ferry takes passengers across the Delaware River to Camden, NJ, on a 15-minute ride. Ferry schedules and ticket information may be found at https://www.riverlinkferry.com/. The Ferry ticket booth and boat entrance is located at Columbus Boulevard and Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106. The booth and entrance are adjacent to the Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing
201 South Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Get directions