AAPL’s Excellence Awards

While AAPL’s Excellence Awards model is now ubiquitous among private lender events, the original honors program that recognizes a Rising Star, Member of the Year, and Community Impact Recipient is the gold standard for distinction among private lenders — and backed by the oldest and largest national association for the profession of private lending.

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.

AAPL Annual Conference Networking

Even as our conference has grown to the largest event in the private lending space, we’ve sought to provide opportunities for a more personal “culture of collaboration” to foster ground-breaking partnerships and business-building deal flow. Check out the Conference Overview & Schedule or AAPL’s Annual Conference App for up-to-date timing and additional information.

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!

AAPL Charity Poker Tournament

We’re bringing in official tournament organizers, dealers, and tables to run fast-paced Texas Hold’Em play. All net proceeds will go to 501(c)(3) nonprofit Opportunity Village Foundation. Check conference registration for tournament buy-in options.

Who: Age 21+. Seating limited to 80 participants.
What: Texas Hold’Em Charity Poker Tournament
When: Estimated tournament length 2 hours depending on gameplay and number of participants.
Where: AAPL event space.
Why: CHARITY (and fun).
How: Tournament Rules TBA. Select “10AM Oct. 21 Charity Poker $500” during conference registration.

Grand Prize – Custom Championship Belt & VIP Admission to Power Room event in St. Augustine, FL (February 27th – March 1^st, 2023)

Suite provided at St. Augustine Renaissance
VIP ALL access
Celebrity meet & greet w/ Eddie Wilson, CEO of AAPL
Golf outing with Michael Tedesco, Appraisal Nation & Eddie Wilson, AAPL on TPC Saw Grass or World Golf Village Course

2^nd Place – 2023 AAPL Annual Conference Bundle to include Individual Membership, 1 Conference Ticket and 1 VIP Reception pass.

3^rd Place – 1 year AAPL Individual Membership

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Safety for Everyone

We believe in the power and positivity of face-to-face interactions. We are committed to continuing our in-person events to allow our members to learn from each other and find ways to support and grow each other’s prospects.

We are committed to providing a safe environment in which to make this happen. Our Annual Conference adheres to not only the recommendations of the CDC, but also to additional best practices to safeguard the health of our attendees, exhibitors, speakers, and staff. Below are the 2020 guidelines – please stay tuned should we need to implement guidelines for the 2021 event.

2020 Guidelines – Please stay tuned should we need to implement guidelines for the 2021 event.

1. Per Ceasars Palace mandated universal mask policy, all attendees will be required to wear nose/mouth coverings except when eating or drinking. Speakers will not be required to wear a mask but will speak from sufficiently far away from attendees to mitigate any chance of airborne spread. Persons who refuse to wear an acceptable face covering will not be allowed to attend the event. If you are unable or do not wish to wear a mask, please take advantage of our virtual event/live stream ticket option.

2. At event check-in, attendees will be required to maintain a social distance of 6 ft.

3. Access to sessions and exhibit hall availability will be subject for Fire Marshall-approved occupancy requirements.

4. The session rooms will be set theater-style seating allowing 3 ft. between each chair.

5. The exhibit hall will be one-way traffic flow in each aisle.

6. Venue staff will diligently clean and disinfect meeting areas throughout the event.

7. All food and beverage stations will be staffed with an attendant to minimize possible contamination.

8. Hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the event.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep everyone safe and healthy at our 11th Annual Conference.

The Same Private Lending Event You Love, Now Accessible Anywhere.

One App for All Attendees.

For our 2025 event we will be moving to a new AAPL Annual Conference App to improve technology and increase accessibility. Please stay tuned for app features.

How to get started.

Step 1: Purchase your conference ticket. You must be registered for the main conference to gain access to the app.

Step 2: Download the app. Access TBA

Step 3: Wait for your email notification: To access the 2025 event, we’ll add you to the app event using the email provided on your registration. You will receive an email notification when this happens. We’ll start adding attendees to the app in September.

Step 4: Explore & Build Your Profile: Details TBA.

Have other questions? Please email us at contact@aaplonline.com.

#AAPLannual Media Release & Liability Waiver

By attending the conference, you agree that:

You consent any photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, or any other purpose by AAPL and its representatives.
You release AAPL and its officers, employees, and all persons authorized by AAPL from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or sound recordings.
By registering for and/or attending the event, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged.
You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by AAPL or the person or entity designated to do so by AAPL. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiting of liability, and release before entering the event.
You are also stating your authorization to provide for consent for those you register.

Have other questions? Please email us at contact@aaplonline.com.

2026 Exhibit Hall Floorplan (not to scale)

About AAPL Certifications

Certified Private Lender Associate (CPLA)

The CPLA program provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of private lending. It also includes detailed information on the current federal laws and regulations. Topics covered include:

AAPL (Code of Ethics, Committees, Education)
Business Purpose Lending
Underwriting
Legal Documentation
Loan Servicing
Loss Mitigation

Certified Fund Manager (CFM) 201

Please note, you must purchase and pass the CFM 101 course online here in order to take CFM 201 at the conference.

The 201 program bridges industry practices, investment theory, and professional standards to deep-dive into:

AAPL (Code of Ethics, Committees, Education)
Advanced-Level Structures and Fund Design Concepts
Pros, Cons, & Considerations for the Various Forms of Leverage
Managing Multiple Funds
Ongoing Compliance & Maintenance
Best Practices for Solicitation and Investor Relations
Fund Scaling

How to get your AAPL Certification

Step 1: You must be a current AAPL member. CFM 201 registrants must have passed the prerequisite CFM 101 course online prior to the conference.

Step 2: Register for CPLA or CFM 201 through conference ticketing. Course registration is open until 12PM CST on Friday, November 6. Each course is $349. The courses occur concurrently so you may only attend one course at a time.

Step 3: Attend the course and take the exam: Both CPLA and CFM 201 begin at 9am on Nov. 9 in the main conference space.

Step 4: Get recognized: We will notify you if you pass the exam (80% or higher) within six weeks of the conference. Passing students receive a PDF certificate, certification emblem, and instructions on how you can display and market your AAPL-backed credentialling.

Step 5: Keep your designation active by: Maintaining AAPL Named Member status.

Have other questions? Here’s more information on AAPL courses and credentialling, or email us at contact@aaplonline.com.

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