2017-03-10 04:22:40
AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION settles into the nation’s capital, ELFA’s Business Council Steering Committees are gearing up to gather in Washington, D.C., as part of the Capitol Connections program, May 18–19. The five committees, which represent ELFA’s five key business segments, are an integral part of ELFA operations, providing critical input on the direction of the association, meeting the needs of members in their respective areas and serving as a bridge between the members and the Board of Directors and staff. Following are highlights of the activities under way by the committees, including updates on the sector roundtables planned for April 4 in Chicago.
Captive and Vendor Finance BCSC
This committee represents the constituency group within ELFA that provides vendor financing, either as a subsidiary of a manufacturer or on an independent, third-party basis or a hybrid of the two.
A major initiative for the committee is planning the Captive and Vendor Finance Best Practices Roundtable for senior executives, to be held April 4 at the Swissôtel Chicago, preceding the National Funding Conference. To learn more and register, visit www.elfaonline.org/events/2017/CBP.
The committee is in the process of trying to assess and understand the needs of its constituents through an electronic survey distributed in January to all members of this Business Council. A subgroup within the committee is busy analyzing the results and determining how to translate those needs into actionable programs or initiatives benefiting captives and vendor-based member organizations.
The committee is also focused on meeting its membership targets for 2017; continuing its leadership in contributing to LeasePAC, ELFA’s political action committee; achieving 100% participation in ELFA’s Beige Book; recruiting colleges and universities who may be willing to expose their students to the equipment finance industry as a career choice through the Guest Lecture Program; and supporting the Foundation and its targeted research initiatives.
For more information, contact Committee Chair Mike Sweeney (Michael.Sweeney@EverBank.com) or staff liaison Bill Choi (BChoi@elfaonline.org).
Financial Institutions BCSC
This committee represents bank-related organizations and other financial institutions involved in single transactions over $5 million. In addition to meeting its membership recruitment target, the committee has also set a goal to present 10 Guest Lecture Programs and host two local members of Congress in 2017.
A subcommittee of this BCSC is planning the April 4 Bank Best Practices Roundtable. This event is designed to bring senior bank executives together to discuss trends affecting their companies, market segments and areas of responsibility. Topics planned for this event include:
• Hiring and retaining talent
• Beneficial ownership
• Electronic documents and signatures
The roundtable will be held April 4 at the Swissôtel Chicago immediately preceding the National Funding Conference. To learn more and register, visit www.elfaonline.org/events/2017/BankBP.
For more information, contact Committee Chair Michael Romanowski (mromanowski@cobank.com) or staff liaison Julie Benson (jbenson@elfaonline.org).
Independent Middle Market BCSC
This committee engages independent finance and multiline finance companies involved in transactions between $250,000 and $5 million, either individually or through lines.
A major initiative for the committee is planning the April 4 Independent Best Practices Roundtable for senior executives from independent equipment finance companies. This highly anticipated and interactive event will include sessions on (1) the future of independent equipment finance led by Dave Schaefer, CEO, Mintaka Financial, LLC; and (2) FinTech led by Bill Verhelle, Chair of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation and Member, Harvard Partners, LLC, with guest speaker Charles Anderson, CEO, Currency. To learn more and register, visit www.elfaonline.org/events/2017/IR.
The committee is also focused on meeting its membership targets for 2017 and is planning a member recruitment campaign in March and a member retention campaign in June. Other initiatives include completing five Guest Lecture Program presentations this year; continuing its leadership in contributing to LeasePAC, ELFA’s political action committee; achieving 100% participation in ELFA’s Beige Book; supporting the Foundation and its targeted research initiatives; and planning an engaging luncheon for independent members at the 2017 ELFA Annual Convention.
For more information, contact Committee Chair Connie Eimers (Connie@vfgusa.com) or staff liaisons Amy Vogt (avogt@elfaonline.org) and Richard Shanahan (rshanahan@elfaonline.org).
Service Providers BCSC
This committee is composed of a diverse mix of industry specialists who provide a variety of services to the members of the other four Business Councils. The committee has set ambitious goals for 2017. In addition to the committee’s ongoing work in membership retention and recruitment, several subcommittees are hard at work in the following areas:
• Better engagement with the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation. Steve Byrnes of Capgemini America, a member of the Foundation Board of Trustees, has been appointed as an ex-officio member of the Steering Committee. Steve will be spearheading efforts to increase engagement between the Foundation and the service provider community.
• Annual Convention program.A committee has been formed to identify possible topics and speakers for the Annual Convention service providers' luncheon, aiming to top the overwhelming success of the 2016 luncheon. Service providers with suggestions for the luncheon program should contact the Chair or liaison listed below.
• Improving communication with the service provider membership. In the ever-changing business landscape, communication is essential. The committee will be looking at ways to improve communication with the service provider community to keep them abreast of activities that affect them both at ELFA and in the industry as a whole. Volunteers with communications experience are needed.
• Guest Lecture Program.Steering Committee members have already committed to conducting at least five Guest Lectures at their local area colleges and universities. Recruiting of additional service providers interested in the program is under way.
For more information, contact Committee Chair Jeff Dicosola (jdicosola@gaig.com) or staff liaison Paul Stilp (pstilp@elfaonline.org).
Small Ticket BCSC
Th is committee engages companies primarily involved in transactions that are less than $250,000, either individually or through business lines.
In 2017 the committee will examine issues of importance to the small-ticket marketplace, as well as keep ELFA’s small-ticket members engaged. Areas of focus will include the state of the small-ticket market, the benefits of ELFA membership and the movement toward electronic documentation and chattel paper.
The committee will likely conduct its 11th annual Small Ticket Market Trends Survey in late summer. The survey collects key business data for small-ticket members in the areas of new business development, pricing, portfolio quality and capital/liquidity. All members that identify as “small ticket” are encouraged to participate in this yearly survey, which is helpful to members in understanding the market trends in the industry.
In addition to the survey, the committee organizes a luncheon at the ELFA Annual Convention. During the luncheon, guest speakers will discuss trends in the industry and attendees will learn the results of the Small Ticket Market Trends Survey. Last year the Small Ticket BCSC was pleased to have guest speakers talk about recruiting and retaining new hires in the industry.
For more information, contact Committee Chair David Normandin (david.normandin@hanmi.com) or staff liaison Ed Rosen (erosen@elfaonline.org).
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