The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s National Funding Conference is returning in 2022 after a two-year hiatus, and interest in the event is running high, according to the ELFA. The conference, which connects funding sources with equipment finance organizations looking to establish relationships to fulfill their funding needs, was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the event will be held from April 12 to April 14 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.

“The funding conference presents an outstanding opportunity to conduct business, get a pulse on the industry and connect with industry peers,” Michael Ash, chair of the 2022 National Funding Conference planning committee and senior vice president and managing director of capital markets and regional originations at Signature Financial, said. “After not holding this event since 2019, there is a pent-up demand to get together in person. We look forward to welcoming new and returning attendees to the funding conference on April 12-14!”

As of March 17, more than 550 equipment finance leaders, including 60 funding sources, have registered for the conference, according to the ELFA. Registration will remain open until April 1. The conference format allows attendees to schedule appointments with funding sources in advance and online. In addition to funding appointments, the conference agenda includes a hosted luncheon presenting the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s upcoming study, “Best Practices in Equipment Finance Funding, Securitization and Syndication for Today and Tomorrow.”

Members of the 2022 National Funding Conference planning committee include:

• Michael Ash, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Capital Markets and Regional Originations, Signature Financial (Committee Chair)
• Robert Blee, Global Capital Markets Leader, Healthcare Financial Services, GE Healthcare
• David Cardew, Managing Director, Syndication, Element Fleet Management
• Michael Clune, Senior Vice President and Director of Capital Markets, First American Equipment Finance, an RBC/City National Company
• Nicholas Colvin, Vice President, Indirect Originations, Fifth Third Bank
• Daniel Fluharty, President, Capital Markets, Specialized and Structured Finance, Huntington Asset Finance
• Lindsey McLorg, Director, Capital Markets, Structured Finance, Mitsubishi HC Capital America
• Chris Meeks, Senior Vice President, Capital Markets, OnPoint Capital
• Sera Oliver, Vice President, Capital Markets, Key Equipment Finance
• Thomas Pagano, Senior Vice President and Capital Markets Leader, Customers Commercial Finance
• Eric Staczek, Senior Vice President and Indirect Operations Manager, Fifth Third Bank
• Jacob Uehlin, Indirect Originations, U.S. Bank