Kara Smith, department chair of economics and finance at Belmont University, will join Equipment Finance Connect 2025 to discuss tariffs and trade-related trends in a fireside chat on Wednesday, May 14, at 3:45 p.m. ET.  

The conference takes place May 14-15 at the JW Marriott Nashville Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. It is the only event for both equipment dealers and lenders.    

View the full agenda here.  

Smith, who holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Tennessee, will share her unique and urgent perspectives and analysis on the global trade war and what it means — not just for the equipment sector, but for equipment finance lenders and dealers, specifically.  

The discussion comes on the heels of equipment lenders’ confidence hitting its lowest mark since October 2023, largely due to tariff-fueled uncertainty, according to the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation’s April survey. 

Smith has been with Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., since 2010, teaching public finance economics and health care economics.   

Equipment Finance Connect features two days of networking and educational sessions focused on best practices to enhance finance operations. Sessions include technology demonstrations, roundtable discussions on optimizing finance and insurance portfolios, best practices in strategic planning, and panel discussions on advancing technology and enhancing finance operations. 

The third annual Equipment Finance Connect at the JW Marriott Nashville in Nashville, Tenn., on May 14-15, 2025, is the only event that brings together equipment dealers and lenders to share insights, attend discussions on crucial industry topics and network with peers. Learn more about the event and register here.