FROM THE PUBLISHER By Ralph Petta H Building the Next-Generation Business ERE AT ELFA HEADQUARTERS, we’re already hard at work preparing for the 2017 ELFA Annual Convention, which will be held Oct. 22-24 in Orlando. We’re excited to present this year’s convention theme, “Building the Next-Generation Busi-ness,” which is all about positioning your company for success in the face of new policy, new people and new technology: ● ● Capitol ● ● Policy: With a new Administration in Washington, this is a critical time for the equipment finance industry. ELFA is actively engaging policy mak-ers on issues that matter to you, from tax reform to Dodd-Frank. In Orlan-do you’ll get the latest information you need to navigate this new and chang-ing environment. ● ● People: A new generation is enter-ing the workforce, changing the rules for attracting and retaining talent. Engage with other industry leaders to learn how to build your workforce for the future. ● ● Technology: New technology and alternative forms of financing are chal-lenging traditional business models. At the same time, the needs of customers are rapidly evolving, creating both op-portunity and risk for the equipment finance industry. Get ready to innovate and learn strategies to compete in this new—and rapidly changing—world. Connections , May 17-18 in Washington, D.C. This is our biggest advocacy event of the year, and this year it’s more important than ever. Please see p. 38 and watch the video below to learn more. and Collections Manage-ment Conference , June 4–6 in Balti-more. Turn to p. 22 to see what indus-try execs are saying about the credit and collections cycle. For a full calendar, please visit www.elfaonline.org/events/Calendar . Thank you as always for your sup-port and participation. ■ ● ● Credit utives on April 4—at a bundled dis-counted registration fee. Future leaders are encouraged to attend the Emerging Talent Networking Event on April 5. ● ● Legal Please save the date for this important event—we’ll let you know when regis-tration opens later this spring. Forum , May 7-9 in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Speaking of legal is-sues, don’t miss our 2017 Legal Buyers Guide on p. 27. Ralph Petta is the President and CEO of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association and the publishing director of Equipment Leasing & Finance . To submit letters to the editor, email EL&F@elfaonline.org. Position Your Company for Success Closer at hand, we also hope to see you at our upcoming spring events. These events are designed to help you network with industry leaders, exchange best practices, anticipate industry trends and position your company for success: ● ● Funding Conference , April 4-6 in Chicago. Get a snapshot of the state of funding on p. 16 and get the complete picture at this conference. Consider ar-riving early to attend the Best Practic-es Roundtables for bank, independent and captive and vendor finance exec-Make Your Voice Heard in Washington Watch your Capitol Connection video invitation at www.elfaonline.org/ events/2017/CHD EQUIPMENT LEASING & FINANCE MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2017 3