Monday, May 18
11:00 AM Registration Opens
1:15 PM Opening Remarks
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Session 1: Presentation – 2026 Market & Funding Outlook
- Analyzing current interest rates, business credit health, and the overall equipment sector
- Forecasting equipment finance performance and volume amid industrywide bankruptcies
- Assessing credit performance and financing profit margins
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM Session 2: Panel – Lot Perspectives: An Assessment of Current Equipment and Financing Demand
- Evaluating the impact of increased real-time data from the lot for dealers and lenders
- Assessing credit and interest rate trends how they affect demand and approvals
- Understanding how inventory and production shifts influence purchasing patterns
3:15 PM – 3:45 PM Networking Coffee Break
3:45 PM – 5:00 PM Session 3: Tech Demos: New Technologies for Equipment Finance
Find the future of equipment finance in a series of carefully curated tech demonstrations from cutting-edge fintech companies. Each startup is under the gun to impress you with its tech, and to do so fast. The winner is awarded Best in Show for 2026.
5:00 PM Cocktail Reception
Tuesday, May 19
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Registration & Networking Breakfast
Start Day 2 by networking with fellow attendees.
9:00 AM – 9:10 AM Welcoming Remarks
9:10 AM – 9:40 AM Session 4: Fireside Chat with David Normandin, President and Chief Executive of Wintrust Specialty Finance
Wintrust Specialty Finance President and Chief Executive David Normandin shares his perspective and insights developed during his 30-year career.
Topics include:
- Market outlook, including customer demand shifts and emerging business models
- Wintrust’s strategy, performance, and partnerships
- Technology, innovation, and leadership development in equipment and specialty finance
9:40 AM – 10:25 AM Session 5: PANEL: Enhancing Dealer-Lender Finance Operations for Better Results
- Developing and communicating deal-by-deal finance strategies
- Helping the customer navigate the approval and funding processes
- Creating value through finance, insurance, and aftermarket product offerings
10:25 AM – 10:55 AM Networking Coffee Break
10:55 AM – 12:00 PM Session 6: Dealer-Lender Roundtables
Small-group sessions focused on funding speed, digital customer experience, and workflow optimization
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM Networking Lunch
1:15 PM – 1:45 PM Session 7: Fireside Chat with a Key Equipment Dealer
During this session, we sit down with a leader in the equipment finance sector for a frank discussion on industry trends, best practices, turbulent originations trends, and strategic imperatives.
1:45 PM – 2:25 PM Session 8: Presentation – Navigating the Compliance Landscape for Lenders and Dealers
- Understanding the implications of new dealer regulatory requirements
- Practical tips for better compliance workflows, staffing and technology
- What the industrywide bankruptcy wave means for contract law
2:25 PM – 2:55 PM Networking Break
2:55 PM – 3:35 PM Session 9: Panel – Technology Innovations Shaping Operational Success
- Reshaping credit and asset management strategies amid technology innovations
- Transforming the dealer-lender workflow and customer expectations through tech innovation
- Developing operational efficiency improvements across dealer and lender networks
3:35 PM – 4:15 PM Session 10: Panel – Rental Revolution: How Financing, Fleets & Technology are Redefining Equipment Utilization
- Assessing rental utilization trends as more dealers and lenders enter the industry
- Funding fleet growth and aligning operations amid dealer-rental growth
- Enhancing maintenance planning, risk controls, uptime, and disposition strategies for rentals
4:15 PM Conference Concludes
