The National Equipment Finance Association’s 2012 National Equipment Finance Summit, held at the Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa, March 22-24, attracted more than 180 attendees from across the United States and Canada, making it the largest conference since NEFA was created from the merger of EAEL and UAEL.
“We were very pleased”, said NEFA Executive Director, Gerry Egan. “After what this industry’s come through in the last few years, it’s inspiring to host so many survivors who remain positive and forward thinking. Very few things in our industry are like they were five or more years ago, and conference events are no exception. However, since the forming of NEFA, at the end of 2008, at the very beginning of the financial crisis, the association has made great progress and this meeting, chaired by Lynne Wicker of RTR Services, in addition to setting a new attendance record for us, also attracted our largest number of exhibitors; our largest number of new members; our largest number of first-time attendees; our largest number of non-member attendees; and our largest number of attendees from among our friends in Canada’s CFLA. I think all those things, in addition to being good for our association, are also further confirmation of the many positive signs we’re seeing throughout this industry today.”
“We were also pleased to have two more of our members receive their CLP certifications”, said Egan. Larry Randall and Darrel Peters, both of Arvest Equipment Finance, were recognized at the Summit during a NEFA sponsored breakfast for Certified Leasing Professionals for achieving the CLP designation.
The Summit conference also gave NEFA members a chance to congratulate CLP Foundation Executive Director, Cindy Spurdle, on her upcoming retirement. At the opening reception of the Summit, John Rosenlund, of Portfolio Financial Services Company, NEFA Vice President, and CLP Foundation Treasurer, presented Cindy Spurdle with a crystal plaque, on behalf of the NEFA membership, for all her support of NEFA.
The National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) is a national association serving small to mid-sized independent equipment finance companies, lessors and brokers. NEFA is a strong association offering enhanced educational programs and premium networking opportunities with broad geographic and industry segment diversity. The mission of NEFA is to provide a forum for members to pursue personal and professional growth and promote ethical business practices through advocacy, networking and industry involvement. For more information, visit: www.NEFAssociation.org