After what seemed like a lifetime of not being able to attend an event or have in-person meetings, Accelerated Payments were thrilled to finally be able to do just that.
On Thursday, September 30th 2021, the team jetted off to Birmingham to attend their first in person event since Covid-19. Landing in Birmingham airport, they made their way to the NEC, where the long anticipated National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) Expo took place.
The location of the venue meant it was easily accessible by public transport, which was convenient for our UK based staff given the current fuel crisis there. Head of Business Development, Colm Devine along with Marketing Executive Laura O’ Gorman and Relationship Manager Leon Valentine met with UK based Business Development Managers Guy Jones and Peter Thomas and made their way into the event. Immediately, the team saw just how lively the event was, and got an instant sense of normality again. The Exhibitors had exceptional stands, with both educational and fun aspects to each.
‘’I’ve attended every NACFB Commercial Finance Expo since it launched back in 2010 and for me this years event was the most important yet’’ says Guy Jones. ‘’After 18 months of home working and video calls, it was great to be able to meet face to face again with my introducers, make new contacts, meet with other funders, competitors and colleagues all under one roof.’’ Peter Thomas added; ‘’it was great to see some old faces as well as partners that we had been working with for over 12 months but had not yet met in person. There was buzzing energy in the room all day.’’
There was over 3,000 people at the event, making it the best to date. Leon added ‘’this was my first time attending the NACFB Expo and after a long lockdown, it was great to put faces to the names I have been working so closely with. Witnessing some of the amazing technologies and products that are launching to the market was amazing.’’
For Marketing Executive, Laura O’ Gorman, this day signified the return to ‘business as usual’. Laura stated ‘it was great, as a member of the marketing team, to finally be able to attend an event again and it really didn’t disappoint. Naga Munchetty (BBC Breakfast Presenter) was an excellent host and I really enjoyed some of the debates. There is nothing like being able to listen to different opinions and debates in person!’
Guy Jones sums it up nicely. ‘’The day felt like a return to “normality” for our industry and will act as a catalyst as we transition back to traditional meetings.’’ This is a relationship led industry after all!
The NACFB held an amazing event, and we look forward to attending many more in the future.
