Want to experience the best conference organized for the small business finance industry, by the small business finance industry? Here’s your chance! Join fellow funders, brokers, industry thought leaders, and policymakers at the upcoming Funders Forum + Brokers Expo for an exclusive look at what’s in store.
Join us for a conference that will bring together funders, brokers, industry thought leaders and policymakers. We’re excited to extend this industry-leading conference to now include funders, law firms, credit card processors and debt collectors.
Funders Forum + Brokers Expo will feature engaging sessions led by a diverse group of the small business finance industry’s top CEOs, strategists and entrepreneurs on innovative financial technologies, best practices and advocacy. Attendees will also hear firsthand from policymakers and regulators, who will discuss Washington’s impact on small business funders.
The latest on key policy developments and hear directly from the policymakers who are shaping the future of the industry.
While attending the Funders Forum and Brokers Expo, we invite you to make the most of your time by staying at the event venue, the iconic Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, ensuring your experience is nothing short of exceptional. Your room or suite, designed for your comfort and convenience, provides a luxurious haven to unwind or host private meetings. Including poolside gatherings, fine dining, world-class entertainment, and a vibrant nightlife, this venue seamlessly blends business and leisure, promising an unforgettable experience. Book your room by following the link below.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314
Phone: 1-866-502-7529
Important Notice About Hotel Reservations
Please be aware that unauthorized third-party companies may contact attendees or sponsors claiming to offer discounted or limited hotel rooms for the Funders Forum + Broker Expo. These solicitations are not affiliated with our event and may be deceptive.
For your security, only use the official hotel booking link or the phone number provided directly by our team. This is the only authorized method to reserve rooms for the event.
If you receive any unsolicited calls or emails from outside vendors, please disregard them and notify us.
3rd Annual
Wednesday March 4, 2026
This year’s Golf Tournament is part of the Funders Forum and Brokers Expo experience. Following the tournament, transportation will be provided back to the hotel for all participants. If you choose to remain at the course after play concludes, please note that return transportation will be your responsibility ahead of the evening events.
Winners will be announced during the Welcome Reception on Wednesday, March 4th at the Hard Rock.
The answer is simple; the future. The future of small business is the backbone of America.
Funders Forum was first held in 2018 and the spirit from that flagship event remains as strong as ever. Now Funders Forum + Brokers Expo has evolved into the most unique conference in its field, supporting the very heart of America, our small business community and the funders and brokers that help them thrive. Each attendee not only has the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, they have a chance to engage with the brains behind today’s small business funding policies and regulations. Most importantly, the proceeds from the conference go toward the funding community itself to continue fighting for policies that will help make a difference for our funders, brokers, and especially the small business owners impacted by the funding community.
Scott Crockett is the founder and CEO of Everest Business Funding. He is a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in the finance industry. Mr. Crockett’s track record includes raising more than $500 million in capital and creating thousands of jobs. Scott has founded, built, and managed several finance companies in the consumer and commercial finance sectors.
Dan Gans is the founder and managing principal of Polaris Consulting, LLC. Under Dan’s stewardship, Polaris Government Relations has quickly become one of the most in demand boutique lobbying firms in Washington. Dan in an expert in fintech policy and works closely with the House Financial Services Committee and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs.
For more than 25 years, Deveron M. Gibbons has served as a strategic and tactical business leader and an advisor and counselor to governors, legislators, and members of Congress. He has also established himself as a creative force helping to shape the next generation of leaders, serving on the boards of trustees of two institutions of higher learning in his native Florida.
Funders Forum + Brokers Expo is the first conference organized for the small business finance industry, by the small business finance industry. It is an opportunity to engage with and learn from industry thought leaders and policy makers while networking with fellow funders from across the country. The Funders Forum + Brokers Expo will celebrate the small finance business industry and discuss solutions that will ensure a safe and transparent method for the small businesses in this country that need capital the most to access it.
Funders Forum + Brokers Expo is the first conference organized for the small business finance industry, by the small business finance industry. It is an opportunity to engage with and learn from industry thought leaders and policy makers while networking with fellow funders from across the country. The Funders Forum + Brokers Expo will celebrate the small finance business industry and discuss solutions that will ensure a safe and transparent method for the small businesses in this country that need capital the most to access it.
Funders Forum + Brokers Expo welcomes small business financers from across the country to Fort Lauderdale to learn from and network with some of the nation’s top small business industry thought leaders and policy makers.
This two-day program will provide you with the tools, strategies and best practices you need to successfully compete in today’s rapidly changing business environment.
Funders Forum + Brokers Expo will take place from March 4 to March 6, 2026.
Funders Forum + Brokers Expo will be hosted at Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino
1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314
The dress code for Funders Forum + Brokers Expo is business casual. This includes the forum sessions as well as the networking events. We recommend bringing a sweater or dressing in layers because the conference room temperatures can fluctuate.
A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available. For sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities, contact info@thefundersforumbrokerexpo.com as soon as you can.
Please contact info@thefundersforumbrokerexpo.com for more information.
The event has a no-refund policy. However, ticket exchanges and name changes will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Broker ticket option is exclusively available for those who are employed by a business financing Broker/ISO that is not a bank or those who are independent sales agents.
This option is not available to those who are employed by a direct lender or direct funder.
The Non-Broker option is available for interested parties that do not match the Broker ticket criteria.
A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available. Please click here to view our sponsorship levels. For sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities, contact info@thefundersforumbrokerexpo.com as soon as you can.
March 2026
The RBFC Golf Tournament will take place at Emerald Hills Golf Club, beginning with breakfast at 7:00 AM followed by an 8:00 AM shotgun start. Participants will enjoy a full morning of play, with both breakfast and lunch included as part of the tournament experience.
Winners will be announced later that evening during the welcome reception for the Funder Forums + Brokers Expo 2026. Sponsorship opportunities and player tickets remain available for those looking to take part in this annual event.
Cocktails @ Cabana’s Women’s event
Registration Opens
Sponsor Zone Breakfast
Sponsor Zone Breakfast
General Session
Sponsor Zone Lunch
General Session
Daer Night Club
Brokers Only After Party
Engaging and impactful content is only as strong as the venue it is presented in, that is why Funders Forum + Brokers Expo creates a full top notch experience down to the very last detail. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is home to over a dozen award-winning restaurants and bars, and expansive serene pool and endless entertainment opportunities. So don’t choose between an impactful conference and a getaway, choose both with our event.
Another year, another industry-leading experience everyone will be talking about. This year we will be heading to an incredible new venue to create incredible new experiences. Funders Forum + Brokers Expo will continue to grow and change the industry, and it will continue to be the event of the year everyone will be talking about. Don’t wait, lock in next year’s event at it’s low super early bird rate.
NFL Legend
A first-round draft pick by the Miami Dolphins in 1983, Marino became an instant NFL sensation, setting the standard for quarterback excellence. He became the only rookie quarterback ever to start in the Pro Bowl (1983) and was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in his second season (1984). The nine-time Pro Bowler (1983-87, 1991-92, 1994-95) played in 18 playoff games and led the Dolphins to the Super Bowl in 1985 against San Francisco.
Dan won the Dolphins’ MVP Award 12 times, and the team has since named the award after him. In the 1984 season alone, he completed an incredible 48 touchdown passes and had the most prolific season by a passer in NFL history, with 5,084 yards.
Upon retirement, Dan held 25 NFL regular-season quarterback records and was tied for five others, quarterbacked Miami for 17 years, positioning the Dolphins as perennial championship contenders throughout his career. One of three players ever to do so, he twice won the Dolphins’ Community Service Award (1996 and 1998), and was named the NFL Man of the Year in 1998. Dan was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August 2005 and in 2010 he was ranked number 25 on the NFL’s Top 100 Greatest Players list.
Dan Marino continued to stay close to the game and joined CBS Sports as a studio analyst for the CBS Television Network’s NFL pre-game show, The NFL Today for 12 years. Along with CBS Dan has developed equity partnerships in numerous business ventures including Nutrisystem, 3Cinteractive, Anthonys Coal Fired Pizza, Modernizing Medicine, ZiNG Sock Club and Universal Insurance to just to name a few. Upon reaching the milestone, Dan joined AARP as the Men’s Life Ambassador in 2012. Dan currently is an Executive Advisor to the Owner and CEO of the Miami Dolphins.
Dan attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he played football and earned a degree in communications. In 2008, he received an honorary doctorate degree in broadcast journalism from his Alma Mater.
Inspired by experiences in raising his second son, Michael who has autism, Dan and his wife Claire became one of the first families to advocate for children with autism. Founding The Dan Marino Foundation in 1992, they have raised over $45 million to provide services and fund first of their kind initiatives including the Miami Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Center, the Marino Autism Research Institute, the DMF Jobs Development Program and the Marino College. The Marino Campus provides an inclusive, supportive and welcoming atmosphere where young adults can experience success, learn vital life skills and most importantly, gain independence.
Scott Crockett is the founder and CEO of Everest Business Funding. He is a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in the finance industry. Mr. Crockett’s track record includes raising more than $500 million in capital and creating thousands of jobs. Scott has founded, built, and managed several finance companies in the consumer and commercial finance sectors.
Mary Donohue is the Executive Director for the Revenue Based Finance Coalition (RBFC). Before joining RBFC, Mary worked as a government relations specialist for CATALYST Government Affairs. At CATALYST, Mary managed various client portfolios in areas ranging from a variety of financial services issues to foster care policy in many states across the country as well as in Washington, DC. Her prior work also consists of developing and managing the federal and state public policy strategies for the small business lending brands within Enova International (NYSE: ENVA) (OnDeck, Headway Capital, The Business Backer), including coordination with Enova SMB’s P&Ls, corporate support groups, third party consultants, and industry organizations. Mary also developed and led public policy promotion campaigns and built networks of trade associations, industry partners, and non-profit groups to support policies that help create and maintain access to credit over the internet for America’s small businesses.
A well-seasoned government affairs professional, Mary lived and worked in Washington, DC for over ten years with a significant amount of time spent at one of DC’s top federal lobbying firms, Polaris Consulting. At Polaris, Mary specialized in financial services and labor client portfolios and implemented various strategic objectives through Congressional outreach and research.
Mary holds a Masters in Public Administration and Policy from American University and graduated magna cum laude from St. Lawrence University with a double major in Government and Psychology. In her free time, Mary enjoys hanging out with her husband, Parker, who is a U.S. Naval Officer and former Fighter Pilot, and their two dogs Cosmo, a Dalmatian, and Comet, an English Setter as well as her off the track Thoroughbred, Mucho.
Joshua is a partner at SBL Strategies and focuses on financial services lobbying amongst other areas. He has worked as an advisor for multiple U.S. Senators and Governors on both the political and official side for over 10 years. Joshua served as a senior advisor for former U.S. Senator and Ranking Member of the Banking Committee Pat Toomey.
Joshua has been in the government relations industry for close to 10 years and focuses his lobbying on FinTech, alternative consumer and commercial lending, debt collection, credit reporting, international finance issues as well as some transportation, health care and immigration issues.
Mr. Novotney stays very politically active as well working on super PAC’s and informally advising campaigns.
Shane Mahabir is the Founder and President of Funder Intel, a resource, media, and education platform for the business lending industry. Funder Intel offers visitors a way to learn about the industry, network with others, find more providers, grow their brand, and much more.
Shane started in the alternative business lending industry in 2014 by joining a direct funder in Miami Beach. He moved on to other funders working in ISO Management, sales and back into ISO departments in various senior roles. He also worked for a broker company and started his own before the 2020 pandemic. Shane then launched Funder Intel with the mission to make a positive impact and solve problems for the industry.
Shane got his MBA with a focus in Entrepreneurship from LSU and has a BA in Business from UF. He is a native South Floridian who currently resides in Boca Raton, FL.
Dan Gans is the founder and managing principal of Polaris Consulting, LLC. Prior to establishing Polaris, Dan managed the Telecommunications, Technology and Energy practice at a top 20 lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. for three years. Under Dan’s stewardship, Polaris Government Relations has quickly become one of the most in demand boutique lobbying firms in Washington. Dan in an expert in fintech policy and works closely with the House Financial Services Committee and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs.
Dan is an eleven-year veteran of Capitol Hill. Most recently, Dan served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Bob Riley (R-AL). In addition to serving as Riley’s Chief of Staff, Gans was also a Senior Advisor (in a volunteer capacity) to Riley’s successful gubernatorial campaign in 2002. Dan worked with the campaign General Consultant to develop and implement a successful media, grass roots, and fundraising plan.
As Chief of Staff, Dan served as Congressman Riley’s principal strategist and advisor on all legislative and political matters including the Congressman’s work on the Financial Services, Armed Services and Agriculture Committees. Dan’s responsibilities included oversight and management of the Washington, D.C. and Alabama offices. Dan also served as the Congressman’s liaison to House leadership and the Republican Study Committee.
During his tenure as Chief of Staff, Gans was recognized by The Wall Street Journal for designing a state-of-the-art interactive Congressional website that implemented an e-video communication platform. Bob Riley was the first Member of Congress to communicate with his constituents using video email technology. It was no surprise that Campaigns and Elections magazine cited Bob Riley’s campaign website as one of the best in the country and critical to his election success in 2002. Dan has been a regular speaker on internet communication and e-strategy for the House Republican Conference. Dan also held a Department of Defense security clearance, which he was required to have in order to handle Riley’s work on the House Armed Services Committee.
Kate is a partner in Hudson Cook, LLP’s Maryland office and co-chair of the firm’s Business Funding practice group. Her practice focuses on the areas of Consumer Financial Services and Small Business Financing. Kate represents banks, finance companies, private equity and investment bank investors, merchant cash advance companies, and small business lenders establishing new programs and products, and conducts due diligence and compliance reviews of consumer lending and business financing portfolios.
Bill Gallagher has been the President of CFGMS since its inception in 2015. Prior to that, Bill was the Chief Credit Officer of CapFlow Funding, CFGMS’s factoring sister company, since 2009. Bill has held various senior-level Capital Markets and Investment Banking positions in the Institutional Fixed Income divisions of Lehman Brothers, and Barclays Capital.
Noah Mamet served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Argentina from 2014-2017 during President Obama’s second term. Ambassador Mamet was awarded the Medal of San Martin, at the rank of Great Cross, only the third American in over 200 years to receive the distinction
During Ambassador Mamet’s time in Argentina, bi-lateral relations between the U.S. and Argentina improved dramatically by initially focusing on science, technology, renewable energy, and educational exchanges and later adding security cooperation, counter-narcotics and climate change programs. His efforts resulted in a special “Corporate Citizenship Award” from the American Chamber of Commerce and the “Bridges of the Americas” award.
In 2016, Ambassador Mamet hosted President Obama and the First Family’s historic trip to Buenos Aires, the first bi-lateral presidential visit to Argentina in nearly 20 years. Ambassador Mamet also led the first of its kind Argentine delegation of both public and private sector leaders to California to further build economic and cultural ties through technology, innovation and clean energy.
Under his leadership, the U.S. Embassy was the first embassy in Argentina to install renewable energy through the use of solar panels and became the first embassy in the world to install a wind turbine.
Ambassador Mamet is the founder of a business consulting firm, NMA Partners. The firm has represented numerous business clients including Tesla, SpaceX, the Wasserman Media Group, the Clinton Foundation, Pan American Energy, Blank Rome law firm and many others.
He is on the advisory boards of Globant, a publicly traded international tech company, DirecTV LatAm, FlyHouse and the Los Angeles Cleantech Innovator. In 2023 he was appointed by President Biden to serve on the Kennedy Center advisory board. Since 2017 he has been an active board member of The Wilson Center’s Latin American Program (also based in Washington DC), where he continues to focus on public policy in the U.S. and Latin America.
Outside the world of business, politics and international affairs, Ambassador Mamet has worked on numerous philanthropic causes and produces wine from his vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina under the label ‘Gran Diplomat.’ In 2023 he opened Canopy Wine Lounge in Palm Springs, CA which has received local and national recognition as a top destination in Coachella Valley.
Ambassador Mamet has spoken at numerous conferences and conventions for companies such as UBS and the Revenue Based Finance Coalition, as well as made many TV appearances on issues related to international relations, politics, and policy.
A graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles, he delivered the 2020 commencement address to his alma mater.
Alan Hochheiser is a leading practitioner in the areas of creditors’ rights and bankruptcy law. He advises and represents businesses, regional and national banks, credit unions, equipment lessors and other lenders, as well as secured and unsecured creditors. Al has been named to ALM’s list of Cleveland’s Top-Rated Lawyers and is peer-rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the worldwide guide to lawyers.
He is a frequent speaker and author on topics relevant to creditors’ rights and bankruptcy law.
Al earned his Bachelor of Arts cum laude from the State University of New York at Albany and his Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
He is admitted to practice law in Ohio, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third, Fourth and Sixth Circuits and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, District of Maryland, and District of Colorado.
Tim Mages joined Expansion Capital Group (ECG) in 2016 as CFO and now serves as Chief Strategy Officer. He currently oversees capital markets, business development, legal and regulatory. Before ECG, Tim spent seven years as an investment banker covering specialty finance businesses and five years with SBIC funds under the SBA program, providing debt to small businesses. His career also includes positions at Wachovia (now Wells Fargo), Royal Bank of Canada, and Stephens Inc.
Tim’s experience as an SBIC lender post-2008/2009 recession provided firsthand insight into the challenges small businesses face accessing traditional capital. ECG, like other FinTechs, addresses this gap by providing much-needed working capital. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, ECG has delivered over $1 billion in working capital to U.S. small businesses since its founding in 2013. ECG has been recognized multiple times by Inc. 5000 as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies and also named one of the “Best FinTechs to Work For” by Source Media.
Louis Calderone is the President and co-founder of VOX Funding, a leading fintech company specializing in innovative funding solutions for small businesses. Under Louis’s leadership, VOX has experienced rapid, exponential growth, driven by a strong emphasis on building lasting client partnerships. His vision and expertise continue to shape VOX’s mission of empowering businesses by providing them with the capital needed to fuel their success and growth.
Louis brings over 30 years of industry experience to his role, having navigated diverse sectors of financial services. Louis began his career as an options and equity trader in New York, honing his skills in high-pressure environments. Prior to founding VOX Funding, he spent over two decades at Aegis Capital, eventually rising to the role of President. Louis transformed Aegis from a small player in the industry to a premier, full-service investment firm. He has held various leadership positions at firms such as Converge Media Group, where he guided them to an acquisition by Zealot Networks in 2015.
