The Alta Group announced Paul Bent, Senior Managing Director and head of Legal Services and Business Assessment, will be a presenter at ELFA’s 61st Annual Convention on Oct. 9-11.
“Welcoming Change as Opportunity” is the title of this year’s event, which will examine key developments facing the equipment finance industry including business, economic, technological and legislative issues.
Also scheduled to speak is Patricia Voorhees, a Director at The Alta Group who is a recognized expert in commercial finance. Both Bent and Voorhees are frequent industry presenters.
Bent will participate in a panel session on Oct. 11 titled "Changes in Law Mean Business." According to the ELFA, the “plain-language” discussion will cover issues that may directly affect the business of equipment leasing and finance: how it is conducted, what the rules are and how practitioners, including executives and non-lawyers, will be affected. Topics include major changes to the Uniform Commercial Code that affect equipment finance; state law regarding commercial finance disclosure requirements; federal Dodd-Frank section 1071 mandates; and the increased use of internet data sensors on leased equipment.
Bent will discuss the massive collection of information by devices that are becoming a part of virtually every piece of equipment financed by attendees. These sensors and the Internet of Things (the IoT) collect and deliver data 24/7. Attendees will learn how equipment leasing and financing business may be affected in such a super-connected future.
As the head of legal services for Alta, Bent provides expert testimony, litigation support, contract negotiation, and dispute resolution for Alta clients. He also offers business assessments— independent in-depth reviews, investigations, and analyses of company practices, operations, methods, compliance and results.
Also on Oct. 11, Voorhees will be among five presenters for a panel discussion titled “Climate Finance – A Massive Growth Opportunity.”
Equipment finance will play a critical role in solutions to address improving climate change, according to the ELFA. The panel will explore how equipment finance companies can deploy profitable climate change solutions and manage the challenges and opportunities to do so. The panel will cover funding opportunities and tax incentives and Voorhees will point out key findings from the in-depth funding and ESG studies conducted by The Alta Group for the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation.
Voorhees’ expertise focuses on best practices in forming captive financing companies, establishing vendor finance programs and facilitating mergers and acquisitions in the commercial finance industry. Clients also benefit from her experience in B2B fintech, ESG, strategic pricing, business ethics, sales and marketing.
The ELFA Annual Convention will be held in Marco Island, FL.