Johny Fernandez: Good morning, everyone and welcome to Broker
Fair 2021. We're finally here, the big day is here. I'm Johnny
Fernandez and I will be walking you through the whole day
regarding the events and also the different conversations that
will be happening here at Broker Fair 2021 Live from New York
City. So as of right now we are, we are just moments away from
the first session with Oz Konar. Now he will be leading off the
conversation here with brokers across this entire conference.
Now, we are also going to hear from our CEO and president Sean
Murray. And then we're going to have different conversations
throughout the day with different people, also different
topics with different panels of regarding the industry and the
Broker Broker Fair. So we do know that today specifically is
going to be involving a lot of different brokers and also it's
very broker mindset. So meaning that the conversations are
regarding brokers and how to move forward in the industry. So
it's going to be an exciting time today. And we also have
different surprises coming up throughout the day. So it's
definitely gonna be exciting. And also, you're going to hear
from different people that are here from across the country,
talking to us regarding the event and also regarding their
experience here. So we did kick off yesterday, the event with
the pre show at The Malt House here in the Financial District.
And that was an awesome event because people were able to have
conversations and meet and network. So if you were not
there yesterday, you definitely, we are going to be able to check
out the different pictures and videos regarding that event. But
for today, the event is going to start at around 9, 10 with the
welcome. And then we're going to kick off things with Oz Konar,
he is going to be the first speaker. And throughout the day,
like I said, we'll be having different conversations along
with different networking events downstairs in this area. And
we're also going to give you guys a clips, see give you guys
clips of different things that are going to be going on, such
as you know, the networking events, and also the different
conversation. So let's talk a little bit about the
conversations and topics that are going to be discussed today.
That's going to range from things like New York law, but
like exactly what that means in regards to the different laws
that are going to be taking place later on next year. So
that's going to be a conversation that's going to be
very heavily focused on brokers, that's going to be happening
today. And then the other big thing that's going to happen in
about 30 to 40 minutes or so is a conversation regarding broker
culture and what that means, what that means, especially in a
time, like 2021. So these are all the conversations, you know,
some of the conversations are gonna happen in regards to just
the broker culture and the broker mindset that we have here
today at Broker Fair 2021. And one of the other exciting things
that I'm really excited to show you guys is the different
speakers that are going to be here we have speakers from
across the country that are here specifically for Broker Fair to
share their advice and their topics regarding the broker
culture and the you know, MCA space and the industry. So
something that was really interesting is that I've had a
lot of people approaching yesterday saying that they are
excited to be here, because it's changed in the last two years.
And this is the first time that they're here in person to be
able to have a conversation with different people. And with
different people in the industry, whether they're new,
whether they're current business owners, or whether they've been
in the business for years, they're excited to be back here
in this space. I just speak with people from coming from as far
as Canada, all the way from California, and obviously here
in New York City. So it's definitely very exciting. So
like I said, we're going to walk you guys through the entire day,
we're going to be talking to different people, we're going to
be talking to different speakers that are going to be a part of
the panel. So we're also going to give you guys a little
glimpse, and a little sneak peeks of the rooms of the
conversations that are going to be happening in the different
panels in the different rooms here across the convenient
location where we are at. So of course, for more of that
definitely tune in. And we're also going to have conversations
with people about their experience here and what that
looks like. So that's definitely something that we're excited to
show you guys. And coming to the scene right now is the man the
myth, the legend Sean Murray, Sean, why don't you pick up the
mic? We'll have a quick conversation with you. So Sean,
Broker Fair is finally here. It's exciting. Why don't you
move a little bit forward? So Broker Fair is finally here.
It's exciting. It's finally happening. So what's from the
people that are here, the people that you spoke with yesterday,
what exactly have they been saying like how are they
feeling? What's the vibe of of the room and the events of ours
for the people that are watching online?
Sean Murray: Sure yeah. So I think a lot of people are
surprised that so many people are actually coming back
together and doing it all in person. It's one thing to talk
about it and say you're going to be back in person. It's another
thing to see it all happen. Right and actually meet with the
people. Yeah. Right. There's a huge difference between online
and virtual and Zoom right. And I think people are not only are
they shocked that so many people are here already and doing it
again, but they're realizing how good it feels to be back in
person. Shaking hands. Yeah. You know what I mean, like, the
atmosphere right now is not is not, you know, elbow, elbow
elbow. Yeah, I've been shaking hands. It feels it feels like
2019. Yeah. All over again.
Johny Fernandez: So what's been the biggest conversation
regarding what people are anticipating the most, for today
specifically?
Sean Murray: You know, actually, a lot of people are here to
learn more than anything else. It's been such a long period of
time that they're actually here to find out, you know, what they
need to know, for the future. People are excited about the 2pm
training to get the certification. Some people are
referring to the sessions as classes. Yeah. You know, they're
eager to find out what they need to know, regulation wise, what
they need to know, sales wise, marketing wise. And so that's
what I'm hearing from everybody so far.
Johny Fernandez: So let's talk a little bit about the
certification. If people are here, and they're watching, or
they're late, or whatever the case is, the certification is
being offered here, just just for today, it's a free
certification. What exactly is it? And how is it gonna benefit
brokers in the future?
Sean Murray: Yeah, you know, the amazing thing is that it's
normally not free. So if you're like, oh, it's some sort of free
certification, it's only free for this particular event, you
usually have to pay for it. It's like a few $100. So we're lucky
to have it available to people for free today, like a one time
only thing, who knows, maybe we'll have it again in the
future. But no I think the organization just rolled it out.
The SBFA, if anyone's not familiar with it, it is the
Small Business Finance Association. It's the largest
trade group of small business finance companies in the
country. And this certification is not just for brokers, if
you're an underwriter, if you're in, you're an admin, if you're
you know, in collections, it doesn't matter who it is, you
can be an underwriter sales, any level of the entire
organization, within a small business finance industry, this
certification would definitely help you. And again, it's
normally not for it. So if you're looking at it as like,
it's a free certification. It's just complimentary to this
particular event. It's something that we landed and helped to
make happen for the people who came all this way to be here.
Johny Fernandez: So let's talk a little bit about the panels
specifically the New York law panel. And that conversation,
I've had people talk to me about the approach for yesterday,
they're really excited about that, because they want to know
a little bit more about, you know, how that's gonna affect
them, what's really gonna happen, just like the different
regulations and license like just everything. Let's talk a
little bit about that, because that's an important one. What
can people expect when they go to that specific panel
discussion? And who's going to be there? Let's talk a little
bit about that.
Sean Murray: Yeah. So we have two great attorneys during that
session, normally, the legal panel, is just for the
executives, you know, the top level people to kind of figure
out what's going on with what they need to know, for their
contracts, collection practices, etc. Right now, we're at a point
of like, it's an existential event in the industry. Yeah, a
new law that was passed in in New York. It's not a bill. It's
not a proposal. It's the law. And I think we're going to find
out today more than before, whether or not it will actually
make sense to continue doing business at all. In the state of
New York. Yeah, I've mentioned to you before, when we do
deBanked, yeah. You know, the TV, TV from the studio. That
lawyers typically do not speak in absolutes. So I don't know,
if they're gonna go up and tell us like, you can't do this. 100%
Yeah, or whatever. But I think we're going to find out more
than before, what course of action we should be taking, you
know, like a likelihood of what we should do. Yeah, based upon
the the facts that are already known.
Johny Fernandez: So let's talk a little bit about the other panel
discussions. We have broker culture coming up. So what
exactly when people had that to that one, that's gonna be in
about 30 minutes. What can people expect regarding that?
Sean Murray: Yeah, so that's, what's interesting about that
one is how to build like a sales office from scratch. Yeah, we
have top executives from some of the biggest broker shops in the
country, and they'll tell us how culture plays a role. And
starting up a business like that. It's one thing to just
say, Hey, I have an office I have leads, you know, hire some
guy from Craigslist or whatever. That's not gonna make a
successful company. There's a lot of different pieces that go
into creating like a successful operation. Yeah. And we're gonna
hear it from people who are known for their cultural aspect
and success.
Johny Fernandez: Yeah. So I mean, as you can see, like we
were seeing people are starting to come up, you know, the people
are waiting for the main you know, welcome the big welcome.
So what have people told you about just being here in person?
What's been their reaction yesterday, we were at The Malt
House for the pre show what's been, you know, kind of their
comments to you, after two years of not doing this of not being
able to do this in person.
Sean Murray: People were really excited last night when better
than I even expected people were just had, they had a great time.
The event was only for two hours. But I don't know if you
were there late, but it spilled out into the sidewalk and yeah,
it seemed like almost like the after party was outside of the
streets of Manhattan. Yeah. People didn't want to leave.
Right. Was only two hours. I feel like outside of the venue,
people were there for like another two hours. They were
reluctant to to go home. They wanted it to keep you know, to
continue going. We're fortunate that we have a whole day here to
continue it. Yeah, right. So people are excited. I'm happy.
I'm excited. In fact, I gotta I gotta step off right now we're
about to go do the opening session, but all right, Johnny,
it's always great to be with you.
Johny Fernandez: It's always great to be with you. I'm
excited. The energy here, it's just amazing cause you go people
we're just excited to be here. And they're, they're excited,
like, everyone's smiling. It's like 2019 all over again. It is
it is so. Alright, so go ahead, and we're gonna let you go. And
we'll we'll see you later. All right, thank you. All right
we'll see you later. All right, ladies, gentlemen, that was Sean
Murray. So for opening sessions are about to start within the
next couple of minutes. So we're gonna step aside for a little
bit, and we're gonna go check that out. But again, we're gonna
be here throughout the morning and throughout the day, to give
you guys a walkthrough of everything that's going on, from
the different conversations to the different discussions that
are happening inside of the main room. So definitely tune in,
we'll give you guys some exclusive video and some
exclusive content. And then we're also going to speak to the
different speakers that will be going to the stage and also to
talk to the different attendees, as they kind of walk through the
entire day and chat with them and give their perspective of
Broker Fair 2021. So for right now, we're gonna step aside
we'll be back, give or take in about probably 30 to 40 minutes,
so make sure to tune in, but in the meantime, enjoy this video.