Following the 2026 ELFA Funding Symposium, Beacon Funding, ECS Financial Services, and Liventus hosted an invite‑only Casino Night for equipment finance leaders in Chicago.
Beacon Funding’s Chicago headquarters was transformed into a multi-level casino experience. The event brought a taste of Vegas to the West Loop with professional dealers running blackjack, Texas Hold’em, roulette, and craps tables. Complete with a rooftop “high‑roller” area offered select tables overlooking the Chicago skyline. The post‑conference gathering brought together over 100 leasing executives, brokers, funders, and key industry partners for an evening of connection beyond the conference floor.
A gallery of photos from the Casino Night event is available here: https://share.picturesqr.com/hybods
“There’s nothing we enjoy more than bringing our partners together and simply saying thank you,” said Toby McDonough, CLFP, President of Beacon Funding. “Beacon Funding, ECS Financial, and Liventus are grateful for the relationships that have carried us through the years, and it was a privilege to spend the evening with so many of the people who make this industry what it is.”
The Casino Night created an environment for meaningful, in‑person connections beyond formal conference programming and reinforced the importance of relationship‑driven collaboration within the leasing industry.
“The ELFA Funding Symposium is one of our favorite weeks of the year,” said Dan Levin, President of Liventus. “It brings our industry to Chicago and reconnects the partners, clients, and friends we’ve built real trust with over time. We know people have many options for how to spend their evening, and we’re genuinely honored that so many chose to spend it with us.”
The event was co‑hosted by three leading organizations within the equipment finance industry:
- Beacon Funding, a national provider of equipment financing solutions since 1990.
- ECS Financial Services, a firm specializing in lease accounting, compliance, and financial reporting for the equipment finance industry since 1962.
- Liventus, an Inc. 5000 listed technology services provider supporting leasing companies through software development and AI-enabled solutions.
The Casino Night was intentionally positioned as a post‑ELFA opportunity to bring together professionals from across the leasing ecosystem to foster dialogue, shared perspective, and long‑term partnership.
Beacon Funding, ECS Financial Services, and Liventus remain committed to supporting and strengthening the equipment finance ecosystem through collaboration, innovation, and ongoing industry engagement.
“Thank you for joining us for Casino Night, and for the relationships we’ve built together over time,” said Tobey Wilson, CPA, CLFP, Shareholder at ECS Financial Services. “Your confidence in us and your continued partnership are what make our work so meaningful.”
