events
BEFN: A New Networking Space for Black Equipment Finance Professionals
March 30, 2023
“The event’s theme, ‘forging inclusive excellence in equipment finance,’ set the tone for the group’s mission to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the industry,” said George Parker, Co-CEO at VenSource Capital LLC.
Newly formed in January, the Black Equipment Finance Network (BEFN), is a non-profit organization focused on increasing the attendance of black professionals in the equipment finance industry. While providing network opportunities for people in the industry, the organization assists in promoting business collaboration, industry support and outreach, professional development, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) advocacy.
“I think the industry, given the mixer that we had last week in San Diego, is poised for [even more growth]. Many people showed up in support of what we’re looking to do,” said Lovern Gordon, National Sales Executive at Boston Financial & Equity Corp. “And that was a huge, huge, huge show of a vote of confidence that we’re headed in the right direction.”
The organization recently had their first inaugural mixer to kick off NEFA’s 4-day event, last week in San Diego. Filled with members and allies, the mixer dedicated a one-hour block to networking with people of color (POC).
“It was the most people that I and many others in the room have seen in terms of numbers for black people in the equipment finance industry in one space ever,” said Gordon.
For many POC, working in equipment finance can feel intimidating as the field is predominately a white-male led industry. The network is an all-around safe space for people that share in their likeness while being able to address issues of feeling left out of conversations or not feeling understood by their peers. The leadership team alongside Gordon (Secretary/Director), consists of George Park (President), Nancy Robles (Director), Kareem Jernigan (Treasurer/Director), Andre Olaofe (Director), and Eric McGriff (Director).
“This is a long overdue group of primarily black and people of color professionals in the equipment finance industry, that have just come together to form a small group within the industry to create an awareness of the black professional in the equipment finance industry,” said Andre Olaofe, President at Select Funding.
An active member of BEFN will typically attend monthly virtual meetings, have the option to be on panels, opportunity to come to regional and national events, advocate for laws and policies to improve within the industry, have access to the member directory, and mentorship.
“I’m on the steering committee,” said Cheryl Tibbs, CEO at Equipment Lease & Co. “The steering committee, we meet to set the agenda for the organization for our meetings. Just really to set the agenda for the group.”
The support from non-POC peers in the industry has been fantastic, Gordon explained. Several sponsors such as Dedicated Financial GBC, Wells Fargo Capital, North Mill Capital, and Wintrust Specialty Finance attended and donated, which contributed to pulling the mixer off. Tibbs noted the overwhelming response of non-black professionals that wanted to be involved who also saw a need for DEI within these organizations.
“The president of the National Equipment Finance Association, the board members of NEFA, the other members for funding sources, other brokers, all welcomed the group in San Diego, and came out to the mixer,” said Olaofe, “and were actively involved in at least sharing in the celebration of coming together and this inaugural mixer.”
deBanked CONNECT MIAMI Shines
January 26, 2023
The sun wasn’t the only thing shining in the beautiful city of Miami on January 19th. Attendees were beaming with energy to forge connections at deBanked CONNECT. The annual half day event took place at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The venue offered a nice mix of educational speaking content and networking opportunities.
Among the panels of the day were Preparing for 2023 and a Possible Recession, moderated by Sarah Kelly with panelists Jim Granat, Dylan Howell, and Patrick Ontal and Let’s Talk Big Deals moderated by Daniel Dames, with panelists Jason Solomon, Jay Keller, and Patrick Manning. Advice, conversation, and different perspectives were shared about what can be done to elevate one’s business in the current environment.
Ocrolus’ David Snitkof and Sam Bobley presented a tech demo followed by Kuboon’s Brysen Patridge and Dalton Franklin where a lucky winner went home with a brand new iPad. Steve Denis alongside Jesse Carlson spoke on the latest news on the state of the business and policy issues.
Broker Fair is just four months away and will be at the New York Hilton Midtown, Monday May 8th. Tickets have easily sold out the past couple of events so try not to wait until the last minute!
deBanked CONNECT MIAMI 2023 Photos
January 22, 2023Photos from deBanked CONNECT MIAMI 2023 are now online. Thank to you all the speakers, sponsors, and attendees that made the day possible.
Welcome to deBanked CONNECT
January 19, 2023
Welcome to deBanked CONNECT MIAMI. If you’re registered for today’s event, check-in begins at 1pm. The Miami Beach Convention Center is BIG so here’s some tips to find us:
You must enter the Convention Center from the Convention Center Drive side, not the Washington Ave side. Enter through the Convention Center Drive side into the main lobby and approach the escalators on the far right side. Go up them and follow the signs towards Sunset Vista, which is up another escalator. You’ll find it.
There is no walk-in registration. You must already have been registered to get in today. It is too late to buy a ticket.
Our team will be very busy with producing today’s event, but if you have a question, email events@debanked.com.
deBanked CONNECT MIAMI is Thursday
January 17, 2023deBanked CONNECT MIAMI takes place this Thursday. This event is sold out and no walk-ins will be accepted.
For registered attendees, please take care to note that check-in BEGINS AT 1PM on January 19th at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The agenda can be found here. The networking reception ends at 8pm.
deBanked CONNECT events (Miami, San Diego, Toronto, etc.) are different from Broker Fair, which takes place each year in New York City.
This will be deBanked’s 5th event in Miami since 2018. It’s the ultimate networking experience for brokers, lenders, funders, fintech, collectors, lead generators, investors, software companies, law firms, and more. Thank you to Bitty Advance for being this year’s title sponsor.
Who’s Got Swag?
January 10, 2023
There’s a rush of excitement at Broker Fair and deBanked Connect. Behind the scenes there is also a fun creative process that sponsors get to prepare for right before every event. SWAG! It can be challenging to think of anything other than pens and Post-its to jazz up one’s table with memorable tchotchkes so here is some unforgettable swag from over the years:
Broker Fair 2019 in the Roosevelt Hotel, as some might recall, had a live basketball hoop by Rapid Finance. LoanMe brought out squeezable stress relievers and what better way to relieve it than squeezing a money wad. Silver sponsor Cooper Asset had special bags that came in handy when collecting all that swag.
At deBanked Connect San Diego 2019, PIRS Capital gave out mouse pads, great for guests to use at work with a constant reminder of where they got it from. Bitty Advance had reusable water containers, smart to stay hydrated while bouncing from sessions to the sponsor showcase room. BFS Capital had a bowl of candy on their table and who doesn’t love a sweet treat after endless meet and greets.
At deBanked Connect Miami 2019, SOS Capital was looking out for everyone by having a bowl of mints out for grab. And if one can’t calculate large numbers without a calculator handy, RTR Recovery had guests covered with that.
After having a virtual Broker Fair in 2020, Lendini stepped it up a notch with a hand-rolled cigar station at the pre-show party in 2021. If one didn’t have a pen and notepad to take down information, Velocity Capital Group made sure to have plenty available. Velocity also had a mini massage station to loosen everyone up after a tense year in quarantine.
Although Covid took some time away from events, the deBanked Connect Miami 2022 sponsors were more ready than ever to show off their swag. FundFi played it safe with hand sanitizers and the LCF Group knew everyone would need a ChapStick throughout the event after talking all day. FinTap got creative with their very own Staples easy-button that said ‘funded.’ Legend Funding had mini piggy banks, ROC Funding Group had cigar cutters, and Lendini had flasks and raffled off a Gucci duffle bag.
Broker Fair 2022 swag was a blend of the practical with the innovative. THOR Capital had shot glasses and if one needed a coaster for that Lifetime Funding had your back. Now that everyone has moved on to wireless headphones, Dedicated Financial GBC brought back wired headphones, which are perfect for flying. Beyonce said it best, “I got hot sauce in my bag swag,” and everyone could too because IOU Financial had mini hot sauce bottles. Following the tradition of raffling their most-wanted Gucci duffle, Lendini also had mini tool kits and Magic 8 Balls that fortuned all good news surrounding the event.
At deBanked events, sponsors always come through with original swag ideas. With Miami 2023 right around the corner, we are excited to see what will be there this year.
deBanked CONNECT MIAMI Has SOLD OUT
January 9, 2023The industry’s largest annual event in South Florida has once again sold out! If you have questions about your existing tickets or sponsorship to deBanked CONNECT MIAMI, please contact events@debanked.com.
This event is being held at the Miami Beach Convention Center on January 19th. It will be deBanked’s 5th event in Miami since 2018. It’s the ultimate networking experience for brokers, lenders, funders, fintech, collectors, lead generators, investors, software companies, law firms, and more. Thank you to Bitty Advance for being this year’s title sponsor.
2023 Is Here. Are You Ready?
January 1, 2023Happy New Year! deBanked CONNECT MIAMI is now only 2 and a half weeks away. Hosted at the Miami Beach Convention Center in South Beach on January 19th, this event will set the industry’s course for 2023.
