A Financing Solutions for a Changing World ROUSING ROCK BAND kicked off the opening general session of the 55th ELFA Annual Convention, capturing the ener-getic and upbeat mood of 1,000 industry leaders in attendance. Th e three-day event, Oct. 23-25 in Palm Desert, Calif., brought together executives from across the nation and the world to network, exchange best practices and address critical industry issues focused on the convention theme “Financing Solutions for a Changing World.” tion Luncheon, business strategist Jay Baer offered guidance for getting and keeping customers. Following Baer’s re-marks, Foundation Chairman Bill Verhe-lle joined him on-stage for a Q&A session. At the Tuesday General Session, “Dean of innovation” Jeff DeGraff shared strategies for achieving cultural change that leads to sustainable innovation and growth, fol-lowed by a Q&A session with incoming ELFA Chairman Tony Cracchiolo. Nearly 100 leasing and fi nance profes-sionals spoke at 22 concurrent breakout sessions and Business Council luncheons on a wide range of topics, including man-aged solutions, e-leasing, fin-tech, the next generation, securitization, technol-ogy and the customer, the Foundation’s 2016 U.S. Equipment Finance Market Study and much more. Keynote speakers addressed packed audiences with their perspectives on a range of issues relevant to the industry. On Monday morning, political com-mentator Joe Scarborough off ered timely analysis and insights into the upcoming presidential and congressional elections, followed by a Q&A session with ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta. At the Equipment Leasing & Finance Founda-36 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 EQUIPMENT LEASING & FINANCE MAGAZINE