events

Turning Connections into Opportunities After Broker Fair 2025

David Roitblat is the founder and CEO of Better Accounting Solutions, an accounting firm based in New York City, and a leading authority in specialized accounting for merchant cash advance companies.To connect with David or schedule a call about working with Better Accounting Solutions, email david@betteraccountingsolutions.com.

“You never know who you’re going to meet.”

That’s the reason I continue to go to Broker Fair.

Once again, the merchant cash advance community showed up in full force this past Sunday and Monday. This year’s Broker Fair felt particularly energized. The sessions were packed, the conversations were substantive, and the networking opportunities were abundant.

As I watched hundreds of industry professionals network across the venue, I couldn’t help but reflect on my journey from skeptic to evangelist when it comes to these industry gatherings. As the founder of Better Accounting Solutions, I’ve now attended Broker Fair for years, and each time I walk away with renewed conviction that these events are not just beneficial—they’re essential for anyone serious about growing in this industry.

The real value of Broker Fair doesn’t end when the last panel concludes or when you check out of your hotel. In fact, the days and weeks following the event might be the most critical period for turning those brief conversations into meaningful business relationships.

Many of us left Tribeca 360 with pockets full of business cards and phones loaded with new contacts. Now comes the crucial part: following up. I’ve learned through experience that a simple “Great meeting you” email within 48 hours makes all the difference between a forgotten handshake and a productive business connection.

At this year’s event, I reconnected with clients who have become friends, met potential new partners, and had enlightening conversations with industry figures I’ve long admired.

One particular conversation with a broker could potentially open doors to a new service offering at Better Accounting Solutions. Another led to me introducing a potential syndicator to a funder, while other meetings inspired me to explore different angles to the business I hadn’t thought of before. These opportunities wouldn’t have materialized if I’d stayed back at the office, convinced that keeping my head down was more productive than engaging with the community.

Following Up Effectively

Having attended many of these events over the years, I’ve developed a system for effective follow-up:

• Act quickly: Send personalized follow-up emails within 48 hours while the conversation is still fresh.
• Be specific: Reference something unique about your conversation to jog their memory.
• Provide value first: Share an article, resource, or introduction that might help them before asking for anything in return.
• Suggest a concrete next step: Whether it’s a virtual coffee, lunch meeting, or specific business proposal, don’t leave the relationship hanging.
• Connect online: Add your new contacts on LinkedIn with a personalized connection request.

By doing this, Better Accounting Solutions has secured multiple major clients directly from connections made at Broker Fair over the years. The ROI isn’t always immediate, but the long-term value of being present, being known, and being engaged in the community is immeasurable.

“NETWORKING IS REAL WORK…”

This bears repeating. The conversations you have, the relationships you build, and the insights you gain at events like Broker Fair are as much a part of building your business as the hours you spend at your desk.

For those who missed this year’s event, I strongly encourage marking your calendars for next year. And for those who attended but haven’t yet followed up on those promising conversations—what are you waiting for? The window of opportunity is open right now.

Better Accounting Solutions was proud to partner with Broker Fair once again this year, not just as a business strategy but as a testament to our belief in the power of community in this industry. The connections made and strengthened at these events have been instrumental in our growth as leaders in specialized accounting for the merchant cash advance industry.

LEARN FROM THE PROS AT BROKER FAIR

Here’s some of what you can expect at Broker Fair 2025 on May 19 in NYC! TICKETS WILL NOT LAST

Small Business Finance Leads at Broker Fair

We’ll be talking about small business finance leads on May 19th in NYC at Broker Fair 2025. Come attend this session and many more on top of great networking, food & beverages, etc. This is the industry’s largest annual conference in NYC.