NPLA Announces 2023 Strategic Initiatives
New Partnerships, Mentoring Programs & Events in 2023 and Beyond
By Carole VanSickle Ellis
The National Private Lenders Association (NPLA) hosted its seventh official membership meeting in Key Biscayne, Florida. The event, which was the best-attended in the association’s history, was also the site of a major change for the private-lending industry. NPLA founding member, executive director, and general counsel Jon Hornik announced during the association’s member meeting that Monday, March 27, 2023, would be the first National Private Lenders Conference, thereby repurposing the previous 21-year-old Pitbull Conference.
“We are essential for this space,” Hornik said proudly. “The private lending industry is still in the fledgling period. We must define ourselves and our imaging. If we fail, we will become just another asset class that makes no sense and creates risk. If we succeed, we will all thrive.”
Hornik said the NPLA has high hopes for the new venture, including attracting more institutional participants into the space, improving networking opportunities at the conference, and creating events and spaces that will foster the interactions and mindsets that will enable conference participants to collaborate and do deals together.
Evolving for 2023 & Beyond
Hornik said one of the most exciting things about the new Conference is its three pillars. “We are growing based on the foundation of the previous 20 years,” he explained. Now, our three pillars of networking, education, and entertainment will help us evolve even further.”
Attendees at the event will see all three pillars in action already. Hornik noted that networking is of primary importance in the private lending industry despite a history of concerns that discussion and shared data could result in competitors gaining a competitive edge. The NPLA believes collaboration in the industry is the key to lasting growth and permanence. “Meaningful discussions between competitors create collaborations that create friendships,” he said.
The education angle, already prioritized at Pitbull events, will remain a central part of the
conference. “It is important to always educate each other,” Hornik observed. “Bring the best and the brightest together, as we have here, and you will leave smarter than you came.”
When it comes to the third pillar, entertainment, Hornik noted that the best industry-related entertainment “crosses over” both educational and networking elements. He looked back fondly on his years attending the Pitbull Conference, noting, “Almost every meaningful relationship I have [in this space] came from the Pitbull Conference.” Hornik added, “Now, we are looking forward to the next 20 years.”
If you are interested in becoming a member of NPLA, visit NPLAOnline.com. Learn more about the National Private Lenders Conference at NPLAConference.com
Side Bar
New Partnerships, New Opportunities
The NPLA leadership spoke about their hopes for the future of the National Private Lenders Conference and NPLA membership. Amy Kame, NPLA’s managing director, noted that NPLA membership retention remains at nearly 100%, and 2023 has brought four new strategic partnerships forward to benefit NPLA members.
John Burns Real Estate Consulting
The firm will provide access to content, data, and reports in exchange for NPLA members’ participation in anonymous industry-specific surveys. This will include access to quarterly reports on the fix-and-flip space and single-family rental trends.
REI INK magazine
REI INK is a nationally published, monthly digital and print magazine serving full-time individual and institutional real estate investors and industry professionals.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
This long-term partnership plays an integral role in NPLA’s dedication to charitable giving and community outreach. The association will host a charity poker tournament to benefit St. Jude at its June meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
NPLA Mentorship Program
In 2023, NPLA will debut a mentorship program focused on connecting mentors and mentees for 12-month mentorships.
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