With the restrictions on gatherings prohibiting the award-winning National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) Expo this year, organisers turned to digital to make it happen and what a success it was!
Following the success of the first Virtual Expo, held back in June, the NACFB returned on Wednesday (October 28th) with an expanded online event featuring what was described by organisers as "more insight, exclusive content and a live expert panel session".
Online visitors took advantage of being able to tap in to a wide range of bespoke updates and insight direct from 40 of the exhibitors already lined-up for next year’s actual event.
The morning session highlight was an exclusive live panel exploring the challenges the market is currently facing. This was followed by an excellent series of live, virtual roundtables with 10 of the association’s support sponsors.
Lloyds Banking Group have been the NACFB’s headline sponsor for three-years and will continue to partner with the Association in 2021 to promote the vital role the broker market plays for UK SMEs.
And in their keynote address, Andy Bishop, UK Director Business Development, SME & Mid Corporate Banking, looked back at a turbulent year and ahead to a more prosperous future.
Norman Chambers, NACFB managing director, said that the NACFB is incredibly proud of the partnership with Lloyds Banking Group,
“one of the UK’s most recognisable lending institutions. I speak on behalf of everyone at the NACFB when I say we couldn’t be happier to have Lloyds return as NACFB headline sponsor for 2021”.
He added:
“Our mutual commitment to championing intermediaries, as well as our focus on supporting the delivery of positive outcomes for their clients, is hardwired into the DNA of both organisations.”
Social media feeds hailed the event a success and virtual visitors praised the added value it offered. One such business, Independent Business Finance, took to Twitter to say: "Great to hear from other finance professionals about the latest news and ever-changing market."
As well as the expo, the NACFB Annual Awards Ceremony, usually held on the evening of the Gala Dinner, has also been dealt a blow by the pandemic but the association is particularly keen to recognise all of the industry excellence that has continued in spite of the virus. Consequently, next month we will discover who the 2020 award winners are!
A spokesman said:
“We’ve merged both the NACFB Patron Awards and the Commercial Broker Awards into one big celebration of lending and broking excellence. The single ceremony will take place virtually from 4pm on Thursday 26th November.”