Meaningful and intentional continuing education is an essential tool enabling lenders to navigate challenges, mitigate risk, and grow their businesses—all while maintaining a high standard of professionalism and accountability.

AAPL has long recognized the role education plays in strengthening our community. There’s a reason our three pillars are education, ethics, and advocacy—with education placed first. We’ve significantly upped our game by releasing targeted programs to equip members and nonmembers with the resources necessary to make informed, responsible business decisions. This means going beyond theoretical “blue-sky best practices” to address the sometimes uncomfortable realities of day-to-day business operations.

Our Annual Conference is where many of these ongoing efforts come together and enter the spotlight. It is so gratifying to see a culture of collaboration become the foundation of this event. It shows itself in a shifting focus from same-old business development to intentional peer networking that grows mutual mentorship and partnership. Sessions are a melting pot of perspectives coming together to talk shop in ways rooted in practicality and a shared commitment to resiliency.

The numbers further prove our industry’s appetite for this kind of experience. Although our conference is the nation’s largest private lender event and grows year-over-year, 2024 unexpectedly represented an even more remarkable turnout; more than 830 attendees and sponsors arrived ready to create something electrifying together.

Although we closed out last year with this resounding success, as always, this quarter marks a fresh start to continue building on strong foundations. If there are topics you’d like to see more on or questions you need help with answering, reach out to
contact@aaplonline.com or submit your feedback at aaplonline.com/comments. You’re not alone, and we’re here to help—or bring together those who can.