NAF2026 Celebrates 30 Years of Community, Leadership, and Looking Forward

Thirty years after its founding, the National Automotive Finance Association's Annual Conference continues to bring together the people, ideas, and conversations that move the industry forward.

Held June 2–4 at the Omni Las Colinas in Irving, Texas, NAF2026 marked the Association's 30th Anniversary with three days of thought-provoking education, meaningful networking, and celebration. The event was made possible in part through the generous support of Grand Corporate Sponsor dotData, whose partnership helped bring together finance professionals, service providers, and industry leaders from across the automotive finance community. 

From first-time attendees to long-time members who have been part of the journey for decades, the conference showcased the power of connection and collaboration across the automotive finance community. 

A Conference Focused on the Future

The conference opened with Ron Guerrier's keynote, H.I. + A.I.: Judgment Under Pressure, challenging attendees to think differently about leadership, decision-making, and the evolving relationship between human intelligence and artificial intelligence.

Throughout the week, industry leaders and subject matter experts explored the trends shaping automotive finance today and in the years ahead. Sessions addressed economic conditions, capital markets, legal and regulatory developments, leadership strategies, technology, operations, servicing, and innovation, providing attendees with practical insights and actionable takeaways.

A highlight of the program was the debut of several executive-level conversations, including Inside the Executive Playbook and the closing keynote featuring Kyle Birch, President of North America Operations at GM Financial, who shared perspectives on leadership, growth, and the future of the industry.

Learning Through Conversation

While the educational content was exceptional, some of the most valuable moments happened when attendees exchanged ideas with one another.

The NAF Networks Roundtables brought together professionals in Leadership, Operations, Servicing, and Technology for candid peer-to-peer discussions focused on shared challenges and opportunities. The Power Hour networking experience, interactive audience engagement sessions, and countless hallway conversations reinforced what makes NAF unique: a community willing to learn from and support one another.

Celebrating Excellence 

NAF2026 also provided an opportunity to recognize individuals whose contributions have strengthened both the Association and the industry. This year's award program was sponsored by EPIC.  

During the Annual Awards Ceremony, attendees celebrated the accomplishments of this year's honorees, including:

• 🏆 Jack Tracey Pinnacle Award Recipient
  Marguerite Watanabe, Connections Insights
• 🌟 Summit Leadership Award Recipient
  Lisa Patterson, Drive Now Acceptance

Their leadership, service, and commitment to excellence embody the values that have defined NAF for the past 30 years.

Thirty Years of Community

The 30th Anniversary celebration served as a reminder that NAF's greatest strength has always been its members. What began three decades ago as a vision for bringing industry professionals together has grown into a thriving community dedicated to education, collaboration, and professional growth.

Throughout the week, attendees celebrated that legacy while also looking ahead to the opportunities and challenges that will shape the next chapter of automotive finance.

Thank You

Thank you to the attendees, speakers, moderators, facilitators, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and Board of Directors who helped make NAF2026 such a memorable success.

Your willingness to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and invest in one another is what makes this community special.

Save the Date for NAF2027

The conversations don't stop here.

Join us June 8–10, 2027, as NAF returns to the Omni Las Colinas in Irving, Texas, for NAF2027.

We look forward to seeing you there.