From the other side of the offer letter, recruiters often see the same pattern emerge: a talented hire, high expectations, and an onboarding process that quietly undermines both. Recruiters rarely hear from clients when onboarding goes smoothly. They hear from them when something is wrong. Sometimes the call comes on day 45. Sometimes it comes [...]
Capital, pricing, and technology won’t matter if your leadership pipeline can’t carry the weight of growth. Most lenders are already behind. Every year, more lenders enter the space, more private equity firms deploy capital, and more platforms attempt to expand nationally. Yet the number of executives who have built, scaled, and stabilized a private lending [...]
Lenders that hire leadership early scale faster and avoid costly breakdowns. Your ability to scale depends on how strong your team is—not just today, but six months from now. Too many firms wait until they face acute challenges before hiring leaders. By the time you’re desperate, the damage has already been done: Production stalls, operational [...]
Investing in the right people is often less expensive than the hidden costs of hiring mistakes. Success is powered by people. Every loan funded, process streamlined, and relationship managed ties back to the talent working behind the scenes. When you manage hiring correctly, everything else falls into place. When it’s done wrong? The costs run [...]
Assess key elements across legal, financial, and market risk to prevent costly disruptions on this high-demand but challenging product. Jill Duke and Keith Tibbles, Level Capital LLC Mid-construction financing presents significant risks and opportunities for lenders, borrowers, and investors. Conducting thorough due diligence and feasibility analysis is one strategy for reducing the risks. Due diligence [...]
A strong financial profile, clear reporting, and market expertise are key to securing—and keeping—a bank line of credit. Bank lines of credit (LOCs) can benefit private lenders in numerous ways, ranging from larger balance sheet capacity to cheaper cost of capital to a cash management line that can be used to bridge gaps in cash [...]
Membership Questions?
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Nominations are open until August 30, 2026, with voting from September 7-30, 2026. We’ll announce recipients at our Annual Conference.
Member of the Year (MOTY): This award goes to a member based on their deep expertise, unique value, and strong commitment to clients and the industry.
Rising Star: Rising Stars are members who have accomplished outstanding growth in their company or industry sector over the past year.
Community Impact: Recipients improve their local communities or our industry through volunteering, development programs, or civic efforts.
See past award winners, award rules, and participate in the 2026 nomination and voting process here.
VIP RECEPTION // Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while catching up with VIPs from across the country, all overlooking the gorgeous Las Vegas Strip. AAPL Members may RSVP during conference registration at no additional cost; for non-members it is $199/ticket.
NETWORKING BREAKFASTS & SESSION BREAKS // Early-risers will appreciate plentiful coffee and a selection of pastries, protein, and more – along with the opportunity to talk shop in a quieter atmosphere. Session breaks feature an energetic environment with a variety of snacking options.
AFTER-HOURS RECEPTION // Continue conversations with fellow attendees, sponsors, and speakers in the Exhibit Hall while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres and two drink tokens.
OFFICIAL AFTER-PARTY // For those who hate to say goodnight, each year a few sponsors plan a little something extra to wrap up your day … or help segue from all-business to all-fun. We’ll mark the party as official and provide information about how to attend.
AAPL APP // The app is your insiders’ guide to getting the most out of #AAPLANNUAL and includes your personalized schedule, conference navigation system, and more! Download now!
Grand Prize – Custom Championship Belt & VIP Admission to Power Room event in St. Augustine, FL (February 27th – March 1st, 2023)
2nd Place – 2023 AAPL Annual Conference Bundle to include Individual Membership, 1 Conference Ticket and 1 VIP Reception pass.
3rd Place – 1 year AAPL Individual Membership