2025 AGENDA
Wednesday, May 14
9:00 AM Registration Opens
10:00 AM – 12 PM Digital Mindset Workshop
During this session, we will enhance your digital mindset by helping you better understand how digital transformation can be incorporated into an equipment financing business for a more nimble and resourceful operation. This workshop will be part learning and part doing, with attendees breaking into small groups to sketch out digital transformation for a prototypical equipment finance company. Come ready to learn and collaborate!
12:00 PM Networking Luncheon
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Tech Demo Session
Find the future of equipment finance today with a series of carefully curated tech demos from cutting-edge fintech companies. Each startup is under the gun to impress you with their tech. The winner is awarded “Best in Show” for 2025.
PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Coffee & Connect
3:30 PM 2025 Equipment Finance Connect Opening Remarks
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM Session 1: Fireside Chat with a Key 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.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Session 2: PRESENTATION – Current Economic Trends and Their Implications for Equipment Finance
- Examining elevated interest rates and business credit health
- Forecasting the second half of 2025 in the equipment finance market
- Identifying signs of reversal in charge-off trends
PRESENTER:
5:30 PM Cocktail Reception in the heart of Nashville
Thursday, May 15
8:00 AM Registration Opens
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Breakfast
9:05 AM – 9:35 AM Session 3: Fireside Chat with a Key Lender
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.
9:35 AM – 10:15 AM Session 4: PANEL – Enhancing Dealer Finance Operations for Better Results
- How to evaluate lenders’ offers on a deal-by-deal basis
- Helping customers navigate the approval and funding process
- Creating value through finance, insurance and aftermarket offering
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM Coffee & Connect
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM Session 5: PRESENTATION – Navigating the Regulatory Compliance Landscape: Lender and Dealer Perspectives
- Understanding dealer implications of new regulatory requirements, such as fair lending to small businesses
- Protecting customer data in line with the FTC Safeguards Rule
- Practical tips for better compliance workflows
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Session 6 – Roundtable Discussions on Key Industry Topics
Attendees break into small groups to discuss developments, strategies, and opportunities in equipment finance operations, the technology and products fueling industry change, and the challenges facing the industry in the next 12 to 24 months. Attendees will share takeaways from their discussions to maximize the benefit for all present.
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM Networking Lunch
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Session 7: PANEL – Technology and AI Strategies for a More Successful Finance Business
- How to evaluate new and budding technology, including AI
- Identifying business areas ripe for digitalization and automation
- Guiding customers through the digital and autonomous journey
PANELISTS:
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Session 8: The Great Equipment Finance Oxford Debate: Does the Equipment Finance Industry Do Enough to Support Borrower Needs and Challenges?
Two teams will face off in an Oxford-style debate on borrower needs and challenges. An Oxford debate is designed to engender a wholesome discussion on a crucial industry topic and to flesh out new ways of thinking about strategy. The debate will make you think and challenge conventional wisdom. Let the debate begin!
