Esteemed Coach Will Offer Winning Strategies for Business Growth and Team Empowerment

The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) represents more than 600 financial services companies and manufacturers in the $1.3 trillion U.S. equipment finance sector. These member companies provide critical financing that helps businesses acquire the equipment needed for growth and success.

Each year, ELFA hosts its annual convention, bringing together industry stakeholders; in 2026, the event will take place October 25-27 in Palm Desert, California. This year’s theme, "Invest, Empower, Expand," sets the stage for an inspiring keynote address by legendary coach Nick Saban. Drawing from his celebrated career and leadership philosophy, Saban will share actionable strategies on building resilient teams, empowering individuals, and driving sustainable organizational growth.

As ELFA marks 65 years of hosting the premier gathering for equipment finance, we are focused on delivering the insights and vision our members need to navigate rapid industry evolution,” said James Cress, Acting President & CEO of ELFA. “No one understands how to execute at the highest level or sustain peak performance better than Coach Nick Saban. His message aligns perfectly with our ‘Invest, Empower, Expand’ theme, and we are thrilled to partner with Channel to bring his unmatched leadership perspective to Palm Desert.

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Saban is recognized as one of the most accomplished college football coaches in history. After retiring from coaching at the end of the 2023 season, he left a remarkable legacy at the University of Alabama, turning the Crimson Tide into a powerhouse from 2007 to 2023. During his tenure, he led the team to six national championships and nine SEC titles.

Before dominating in Tuscaloosa, Saban led LSU to a national championship in 2003 and held head coaching positions at Toledo and Michigan State, as well as with the Miami Dolphins. He concluded his college coaching career with a 297–71–1 record, claiming seven national championships—the most in FBS history.

Bringing in a speaker of the caliber of Coach Saban was made possible through a partnership with Channel, a leading independent lender in equipment finance and working capital solutions.

"Nick Saban's record speaks for itself, but what has always stood out to us is how he built it," said Adam Peterson, Chief Executive Officer of Channel. "Across decades of coaching, he has developed players, staff, and leaders who have gone on to accomplish extraordinary things well beyond the field. That commitment to growing the people around him is something we relate to deeply at Channel. We have always believed that how you build matters as much as what you build, and supporting this keynote felt less like a sponsorship decision and more like a natural alignment."

Saban currently serves as an analyst for ESPN’s College GameDay and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2025. For more information on this event, visit here.

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