2024 Fall Summit Agenda
(tentative and subject to change)

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Optional Activities (separate registration required):

• Golf - La Quinta Resort & Club Mountain Course

• Red Jeep Tours

6:15 PM – 7:00 PM

VIP Toast (Flores Veranda)

Embracing our cherished AFT tradition, we extend a special welcome to all first-time attendees (whom we refer to as VIPs) to join us before the Summit's official kick-off. This exclusive gathering offers newcomers the chance to familiarize themselves with the event, connect with their designated ambassadors, and meet members of the AFT board. 

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Welcome Reception (Flores Veranda)

Join us to kick off the AFT Fall Summit! All participants are invited to gather and rekindle old connections while making new ones. Indulge in an array of appetizers and refreshing drinks. Afterwards, take the opportunity to extend the camaraderie over a dinner at a place of your choosing, as many attendees are already making plans for the evening ahead. 

8:15 PM - 10:30 PM

Women in Fintech Dinner (Adobe Grill Restaurant)

6:30 AM - 7:00 AM

Group Exercise (optional) Hotel Waterfall Lawn

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

VIP Breakfast (Flores Ballroom 6 & 7)

First time attendees are invited to join this breakfast to learn more about the AFT organization and our bi-annual summits. Current and past board members as well as past presidents will be in attendance as well.

Group Breakfast (Adobe Grill Restaurant)

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker  (Flores Ballroom 4 & 5)

Conferences, board meetings, Zoom meetings, receptions, sporting events…. In both our personal and professional lives, we gather. Priya Parker has dedicated her life to understanding why and how we make connections, create communities, and build organizations. Join her for a riveting conversation on how each of us can make our gatherings – whether work, networking, or neighborly – more meaningful and impactful.

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Stretch Break and Book Signing (Flores Ballroom Foyer)

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Strategic Positioning to Stand Out in Crowded Markets, April Dunford  (Flores Ballroom 4 & 5)

Positioning is the art and science of defining how a product is different and better than alternatives for a particular set of customers. But how do you position your product optimally? After 25 years of successfully launching and building B2B software products and companies at both startups and large companies, April Dunford helps others learn from her hard-won experience in how to accelerate growth through positioning.

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

CEO Lunch (Flores 6 & 7)

Every Fall Summit we invite the CEOs of our member companies to attend this lunch to discuss the most pressing issues being faced by their companies and our industry from the view of their given role.

Group Lunch (Adobe Grill Restaurant)

1:00 PM - 1:15 PM

Board Candidate Presentations (Flores 4 & 5)

During our Fall Summit, we elect three new board members from our membership group to serve a three-year term. At this session, we will have the opportunity to hear from each candidate prior to voting the next day.

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Economic Update: Getting Ready for 2025, John Augustine, CFA , Chief Investment Officer, The Huntington National Bank

(Flores 4 & 5)

Prepare for 2025 with insights on economic, market, banking trends, and the influence of US elections. Gain valuable perspectives from John Augustine of Huntington Bank as he delves into the current landscape and forecast for the upcoming year. 

2:15 PM - 2:30 PM

Refreshment Break (in Interactive Breakouts)

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Interactive Breakouts

Participate in lively discussions with peers and colleagues about the most pressing issues facing our industry and our companies. Choose the session track and join the conversations that are most aligned to your position, your company, and the challenges you anticipate. Each interactive session will kick off with a brief presentation from an expert in the field, and will then move into an interactive conversation with all individuals in attendance.

Interactives:

• • Internal Growth facilitated by Mike Alles, Leadership and Executive Coach, ACC Certified, Alles Leadership (Flores Ballroom 1): This interactive session will focus on topics related to the challenges and opportunities internal to the company as you grow. These include, but are not limited to, time management, presence and perceived presence, coaching, and performance management. 

  • External Growth, facilitated by April Dunford (Flores Ballroom 2): This interactive session will focus on topics that pertain to the challenges and opportunities to grow your company from new sales, partnerships, and organic growth. This includes but is not limited to building referral partnerships, sales team strategies, direct vs. indirect sales, commission and referral schemes.

  • Product & Technology, facilitated by Allan Rayson, Founder & CEO of Finov8r Consulting (Flores Ballroom 3): This interactive session will focus on topics that pertain to the challenges and opportunities within your company’s product development efforts. This includes but is not limited to how to integrate with the various banking technology ecosystems, how to manage and prioritize roadmaps, and new and emerging technologies everyone should be talking about.

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Intersections:

The power of AFT comes through the individual connections we make during our time together as our lives intersect at each biannual summit. This time is set aside for you to meet individuals and have meaningful conversations that create a connection that will be mutually beneficial throughout your life. It is up to you to build your own agenda for this time to have those meetings.

5:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Past Presidents Reception (El Presidente Suite)

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Monday Night Event: Poolside Party (Morgan Lawn & Tennis Pool)

Come ready to relax, have great conversations, and eat delicious food poolside on a warm fall evening in Palm Springs.

6:30 AM - 7:00 AM

Group Exercise (optional) Hotel Waterfall Lawn

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Breakfast (Adobe Grill Restaurant)

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Spouse/Guest Breakfast (Flores 1)

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

CEO Keynote, The Power of a Meaningful Vision, Dan Holt, Co-Founder & CEO, BILLGO  (Flores 4 & 5)

From humble beginnings, Dan started his entrepreneur journey at the age of 8, served as US Air Force Officer, and led two success fintechs as founder/CEO. His path has been anything but ordinary. Join us for Dan’s inspiring AFT journey of cultivating deep and meaningful relationships that empowered a vision of courage, growth, and perseverance in the face of challenges.

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Stretch Break (Flores Ballroom Foyer)

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Annual Business Session (Flores 4 & 5)

As an association, we use our Fall Summit to host our annual business session. It is important that at least one member of each AFT member company attends. We will be sharing important business updates regarding the association as well as voting for the three new board members. Each member company in attendance will have one vote.

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Lunch (Fiesta Ballroom 1-6)

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

AFTerthoughts (Flores 4 & 5)

One of the best aspects of being a part of AFT is hearing what other AFTers (members of AFT) are up to and what we can learn from them. AFTerthoughts is a new session in which various AFTers, who were specifically selected, share their thoughts about a topic of interest in a TED-talk style format. Featuring: 

• How Banks Make Money and Where Fintech Intersects, presented by Chris Aliotta, CEO, Quantalytix 

• Corporate Responsibility, Ethics and Sustainability, presented by Tara Brown, Senior Director of Corporate Responsibility, Jack Henry 

• AI Hype vs Reality, presented by Rachel Taylor, AI Strategy and Customer Success Lead, SAVVI AI 

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Refreshment Break (Flores Ballroom Foyer)

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM

Intersections:

The power of AFT comes through the individual connections we make during our time together as our lives intersect at our bi-annual summits. This time is set aside for you to meet individuals and have meaningful conversations that create a connection that will be mutually beneficial throughout your life. It is up to you to build your own agenda for this time to have those meetings.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Free Time

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Farewell Reception (Hotel Waterfall)

It’s time to relax, unwind, and enjoy one last time to gather together as AFT members before heading home.