DRAFT SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
November 13-17 – New Orleans, LA
2023 Fall Board Meeting: November 13 | NOW'23: November 13-16 | 2023 Fall In-Person Training: November 16-17
See below for what to expect each day. The general and breakout session topics, keynote speakers and special events will be updated in the coming weeks with all the specifics. Check back soon for more details.
Monday, November 13 |
8:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Registration Open
Grand Ballroom Foyer
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
NADCO Board of Directors Meeting – CLOSED SESSION
2nd Floor La Galleries 1-2
NADCO Board of Directors and Staff ONLY
12:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
NADCO Board of Directors Meeting – OPEN SESSION
2nd Floor La Galleries 1-2
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
Exhibitor Set Up
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
Exhibitors are allowed to begin setting up their booths for the evening Welcome Reception. No Attendees in the exhibit hall at this time.
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM |
Exhibits Open
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
Welcome Reception
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
(Open to all Conference Attendees)
Join us for appetizers and drinks as we kick off NOW '23! Connect with colleagues, speakers and friends and get the conversations started NOW! The Welcome Reception is also a great time to pick up your badge and swag bag and to explore our Exhibitor Marketplace.
Feeling like a winner?
Get started on your NOW Exhibitor Game to make sure you’re in the running for one of our premium prizes!Top of Page
Tuesday, November 14 |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Registration Open
Grand Ballroom Foyer
Exhibits Open
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
NADCO Marketplace & Networking Breakfast
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
9:00 AM – 9:10 AM |
Welcome Remarks
Carondelet BallroomSpeaker:
Rhonda Pointon, President & CEO
National Association of Development Companies
Hear from our industry leadership about the current status of the CDC and 504 industry, what is on the horizon and other high-level updates.
9:10 AM – 9:20 AM |
General Meeting of the Members
Carondelet BallroomSpeakers:
Matt Davis, President
Southland EDC
NADCO Chairman of the Board
John Evans, President & CEO
Mountain West Small Business Finance
NADCO Vice Chairman of the Board
Elaine Fairman, Executive Director
Business Expansion Funding Corp.
NADCO Board Treasurer
Ann Munroe, President
Capital Matrix, Inc.
NADCO Board Secretary
Executive officers of the NADCO Board of Directors report out to the membership the current status of the trade association.
9:20 AM – 9:30 AM |
Updates from the Office of General Counsel
Carondelet BallroomSpeakers:
Juan M. Sempertegui, Deputy General Counsel
U.S. Small Business Administration
9:30 AM – 10:35 AM |
General Session 1 – SBA Live: Policy News Directly from Washington
Carondelet BallroomSpeakers:
Linda Reilly, Chief, 504 Loan Division, Office of Financial Assistance
U.S. Small Business Administration
Annette May, Center Director, Sacramento Loan Processing Center
U.S. Small Business Administration
Valerie A. Parente, Senior Counsel for 504 Closings & Reviews
U.S. Small Business Administration
Moderator:
Wayne Williams, EVP – Regulatory Affairs and Training
National Association of Development Companies
Hear directly from SBA staff about the latest policy updates. The panel will share guidance on SOP 50-10-7, the updated SBA Form 1244, revised guidance on criminal background checks, the 504 debt refinance final rule, and more. There will also be an open mike for audience questions.
10:35 AM – 10:50 AM |
NADCO Marketplace & Networking Break
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
10:50 AM – 11:50 AM |
Breakout Session 1 – How to be an Exceptional CDC Board Member
2nd Floor La Galleries 3 |
Breakout Session 2 – Inside Secrets: How to Position 504 Fees
2nd Floor La Galleries 1-2 |
Breakout Session 3 – Closing Hot Topics
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6 |
11:50 AM – 12:00 PM |
Break - Time to Head Upstairs to the Carondelet Ballroom for the Fireside Chat
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM |
Fireside Chat with Administrator Guzman and Awards Presentation
Carondelet BallroomFireside Chat with Administrator Guzman
Speakers:
Isabel Casillas Guzman, 27th Administrator
U.S. Small Business Administration
Rhonda Pointon, President & CEO
National Association of Development Companies
Sara Vanhala, VP/Director of Marketing
Small Business Growth Corporation
Our opening day Fireside Chat features a very special guest, Isabel Guzman, the 27th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Administrator Guzman has made supporting small businesses her life’s work and highly values the 504 Loan Program, the Community Advantage Loan Program, and their tremendous impact.
Administrator Guzman will be joining us in person to chat with NADCO representatives about the CDC lending industry, her goals for 2024 and to share the latest updates on the SBA 504 and Community Advantage loan programs.
The NADCO Hall of Fame Awards Presentation
Presenter:
Tim Pierce, Executive Director
Caprock Business Finance Corp.
12:45 PM – 1:30 PM |
NADCO Marketplace & Networking Luncheon
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM |
Breakout Session 4 – The Future of Community Advantage (CA-SLBC)
2nd Floor La Galleries 3 |
Breakout Session 5 – Mastering CDC Credit Memos
2nd Floor La Galleries 1-2 |
Breakout Session 6 – Best Practices for Loan Risk Rating
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6 |
2:45 PM – 3:15 PM |
NADCO Marketplace & Networking Break
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
3:15 PM – 4:30 PM |
General Session 2 – Analysis and Outlook: SBA 504 Debenture Rates
Carondelet BallroomSpeakers:
Steve Van Order, Selling Agent
Eagle Compliance LLC
Linda Reilly, Chief, 504 Loan Division, Office of Financial Assistance
U.S. Small Business Administration
Rich Sigg, Managing Director
Bank of America Securities
Kavitha Vignarajah, Managing Director
Stifel Ncolaus & Co
Moderator:
Frank Keane, President
Eagle Compliance LLC
Hear from the Fiscal Agent, Selling Agent and Underwriters about how Fed policy, debt burden, rising rates and tight credit could affect the 2024 outlook.
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
504PAC Party
The Sazerac House
101 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Suggested Minimum Contribution to Attend: $75 per person
You are invited to join us for a tour of the acclaimed Sazerac House. The Sazerac House is an homage to the famed Sazerac cocktail that gained fame in New Orleans in the 1850s and is now served all over the world.
Sazerac Soirée At-a-Glance
Welcome Reception - 4th Floor: Hear special remarks from our 504PAC team while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine.Self-guided Tour including three cocktail sampling stations - Starts on the 3rd Floor: Work your way down as you discover the history of the New Orleans cocktail culture and interactive experiences, including three cocktail sampling stations. Sazerac experts are on every floor to answer questions and enhance your visit.
Sazerac Whiskey Distillery and Retail Shop, 1st floor: Everyone will end their tour on the first floor where they are welcome to visit the retail store.
Add an Exclusive Sazerac House Bonus Experience:
Contribute at the 504PAC Champion or Patron level for exclusive Sazerac House experiences in addition to the Sazerac House tour.$300 - $499 Contribution | VIP Speakeasy Experience | 504PAC Champion
- Access to the VIP Sazerac Speakeasy Room for a Sazerac cocktail + demo
$500+ Contribution | Barrel to Bottle and VIP Speakeasy Experience | 504PAC Patron
- Access to the VIP Sazerac Speakeasy Room for a Sazerac cocktail + demo
- One-of-a-Kind Barrel to Bottle experience where you tour the distillery and learn about the history of distilling. Next you will get special access to the bottling room where you will personally fill your own keepsake bottle with whiskey and then learn how to cork and seal it.
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Wednesday, November 15 |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Registration Open
Grand Ballroom Foyer
Exhibits Open
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
NADCO Marketplace & Networking Breakfast
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM |
General Session 3 – 504 Modernization and Technology Investments
Carondelet BallroomSpeakers:
Steve Kucharski, Director, Office of Performance Systems Management
U.S. Small Business Administration
Sheri McConville, Deputy Director, Office of Performance Systems Management
U.S. Small Business Administration
Carson Mullins, Managing Consultant
Guidehouse – Central Servicing Agent
Miriam Voigt, Managing Consultant
Guidehouse – Central Servicing Agent
Moderator:
James Conroy, President
Pursuit CDC
Compliance check hold codes got you blue? Join SBA’s IT leadership for this informative session on technology modernization to improve program delivery and integrity.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM |
NADCO Marketplace & Networking Break
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM |
Breakout Session 7 – Expanding 504 Opportunities with Green Energy Projects
2nd Floor La Galleries 3 |
Breakout Session 8 – Deep Dive on Regulatory and SOP Updates
2nd Floor La Galleries 1-2 |
Breakout Session 9 – CSA Hot Topics
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6 |
11:30 AM – 11:40 AM |
Break - Time to Head Upstairs to the Carondelet Ballroom for the Community Impact Event
11:40 AM – 12:30 PM |
Community Impact Event
Carondelet BallroomThe Community Impact Awards Presentation
Introductions and Award Presentions:
Matt Davis, President
Southland EDC
Relationship Building with Top Third Party Lenders
Panelists:
Mark Baird, Vice President / SBA Solutions Manager
JPMorgan Chase Bank
Bill Sommer, Senior Director SBA
First Citizens Bank
Mark McCune, EVP/CLO
Bank Five Nine
Jared DeVroom, Senior SBA Loan Officer
Mountain America Credit Union
Moderator:
Wayne Williams, EVP – Regulatory Affairs and Training
National Association of Development Companies
The TPL’s Perspective on SBA 504: Wayne Williams will lead a panel discussion with our Third Party Lender award winners focusing on leveraging collaborative relationships and best practices for becoming a CDC of choice.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM |
NADCO Marketplace & Networking Luncheon
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
Breakout Session 10 – The Ultimate Guide to Effectively Running your CDC
2nd Floor La Galleries 3 |
Breakout Session 11 – Leverage the Power of LinkedIn: Social Selling Fundamentals
2nd Floor La Galleries 1-2 |
Breakout Session 12 – Solving for Challenging Environmental Reports
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6 |
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM |
NADCO Marketplace & Networking Break
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
3:00 PM – 4:15 PM |
General Session 4 – Confab with Congress
Carondelet BallroomSpeakers:
Peter Johnson, General Counsel
Chairman Ben Cardin
U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Devon Redfield, Professional Staff
Ranking Member Joni Ernst
U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Rick Erkel, Deputy Chief of Staff
Ranking Member Nydia Velázquez
U.S. House Committee on Small Business
Moderators:
Renée Bender, VP Government Relations
National Association of Development Companies
Sara Vanhala, VP/Director of Marketing
Small Business Growth Corporation
Don’t miss this opportunity for insightful and engaging conversation with the staff of the Small Business Committees! From CDC formation to the SBA programs you deliver and beyond, our industry succeeds through meaningful partnerships with multiple branches of the federal government but it is Congress that passes legislation directly impacting the 504, Community Advantage, and Microloan programs you deliver. With that in mind, this session prioritizes engagement with congressional staff – to learn more about the way they work and the issues they’re concerned about, and to put faces, names, and stories to the issues we bring to them. Come prepared to learn, engage, and share!
Regional Caucuses 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM |
Region 1 Caucus
2nd Floor La Galleries 1-2
Region 2 Caucus
2nd Floor La Galleries 1-2
Region 3 Caucus
2nd Floor La Galleries 3
Region 4 Caucus
Carondelet Ballroom
Region 5 Caucus
Carondelet Ballroom
Region 6 Caucus
2nd Floor La Galleries 3
Region 7 Caucus
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6
Region 8 Caucus
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6
Region 9 Caucus
Carondelet Ballroom
Region 10 Caucus
Carondelet Ballroom
5:00 PM |
Join the NADCO NOW'23 Krewe as we walk around the corner to the House of Blues - only 0.2 miles away from the hotel.

5:30 PM – 9:30 PM |
NOW Big Easy Bash
The House of Blues
225 Decatur StreetNew Orleans, LA 70130
When we said CELEBRATE FY23, we meant CELEBRATE NOW!!
Join NADCO staff, SBA representatives, CDC colleagues, partners and sponsors for a full-on celebration of the CDC industry…
Partake in some incredible southern and creole cuisine while getting your fortune told and listening to a hot local band. There's plenty of fun to be had by all. Join the NADCO Staff Krewe as we walk around the corner to the House of Blues, then you're free to stay for the full evening or can head out at any time as the House of Blues is a close walk to the hotel and the main part of the French Quarter.
9:30 PM |
This is the final close for the NOW Big Easy Bash so feel free to take your Krewe out to enjoy all that New Orleans has to offer just down the street.
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Thursday, November 16 |
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM |
Registration Open
Grand Ballroom Foyer
Exhibits Open
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
NADCO Marketplace & Networking Breakfast
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
Board of Directors Meeting with the Newly Elected Board Members and Officer Elections
2nd Floor La Galleries 2(Invitation Only – Breakfast Served)
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM |
Announcement of the New NADCO Board of Directors and Officers
Carondelet BallroomRhonda Pointon, President & CEO
National Association of Development Companies
The newly elected NADCO Board of Directors and Officers will be announced. We will also announce the winners of the Exhibitor Game. Be sure to submit your completed game to the Registration Desk by the end of General Session 4 on Wednesday, November 15.
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM |
General Session 5 – 504 Portfolio Management: What you Need to Know NOW
Carondelet BallroomSpeakers:
Paul Kirwin, Chief of the SBA Supervised Lender Oversight Team
U.S. Small Business Administration
Betty Hill, Senior Financial Analyst, Community Advantage Program
U.S. Small Business Administration
Shayne Bradshaw, Financial Analyst
U.S. Small Business Administration
Moderator:
Kisha Gant, SVP, Closing & Servicing
TMC Financing
Are recession fears in the rearview mirror? Join the OCRM panel to get the latest updates and best practices for effective portfolio management.
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM |
NADCO Marketplace & Networking Break
Exhibitor Marketplace – Acadia | Bissonet Ballroom
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM |
General Session 6 – NOW Spotlight: Processing Center Updates
Carondelet BallroomSpeakers:
Martin Andrews, Deputy Director, Office of Financial Program Operations
U.S. Small Business Administration
Annette May, Center Director, Sacramento Loan Processing Center
U.S. Small Business Administration
Moderator:
Bill Habermeyer, President & CEO
Florida Business Development Corporation
Join the SLPC leadership team to hear the latest on 504 loan processing and approvals, including updates on loan package quality measures, customer service initiatives, ALP Express delegated authority, top screen out concerns, and more.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM |
Lunch on your own
12:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
Registration Open
2nd Floor Galeries 5-6 Foyer
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM |
Specialty Workshop
Major Changes to 504 Debt Refi Programs
2nd Floor La Galleries 6Panel of Experts:
Wayne Williams, EVP – Regulatory Affairs and Training
National Association of Development Companies
Briana Rickertsen, Production Manager
B:Side Capital
Rising interest rates, a credit crunch, and concerns about commercial real estate are just some of the daunting challenges facing small business borrowers. The 504 Debt Refinance Programs can help. SBA is publishing a final rule on 504 debt refinance programs in late summer 2023 with changes that will help streamline and simplify the program requirements and improve borrower access to this much needed source of capital. Our experts will discuss these critical changes and help you develop tools, best practices, and insights to better assist your small business borrowers and lending partners.
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Training Courses - Thursday, November 16 |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
IMPORTANT: The training courses have a completely separate registration process from NOW ’23 as well as separate fees. Please visit the 504 Loan Closing and Eligibility & Deal Structures pages for more information about the fees and registration process or click the course name in the agenda below.
Registration Open
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6 Foyer
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
NADCO Networking Breakfast
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6 Foyer
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
504 Loan Closing Course
2nd Floor La Galleries 5
Instructors:
Todd Kobernick, Attorney
Law Offices of Todd E. Kobernick
Christina Gabriel Kanelos, Attorney
Law Offices of Todd E. Kobernick
This two-day in-person course is approved by the US Small Business Administration and provides invaluable training for anyone involved in closing SBA 504 loans, including CDC staff and legal professionals. The course fulfills SBA’s requirement for attorneys attending an SBA-Approved Closing Course to become a “Designated Attorney”.
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM |
NADCO Networking Break
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6 Foyer
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM |
Lunch on Your Own
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM |
NADCO Networking Break
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6 Foyer
Training Courses – Friday, November 17 |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Registration Open
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6 Foyer
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
NADCO Networking Breakfast
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6 Foyer
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
504 Loan Closing Course
2nd Floor La Galleries 5
Instructors:
Todd Kobernick, Attorney
Law Offices of Todd E. Kobernick
Christina Gabriel Kanelos, Attorney
Law Offices of Todd E. Kobernick
This two-day in-person course is approved by the US Small Business Administration and provides invaluable training for anyone involved in closing SBA 504 loans, including CDC staff and legal professionals. The course fulfills SBA’s requirement for attorneys attending an SBA-Approved Closing Course to become a “Designated Attorney”.
Advanced Eligibility & Deal Structures Course
2nd Floor La Galleries 6
Instructors:
Wayne Williams, EVP – Regulatory Affairs and Training
National Association of Development Companies
Briana Rickertsen, Production Manager
B:Side Capital
Improve your package quality!
Change of ownership projects, partner buy-outs, elaborate debt refinance opportunities, complex affiliation, and more! Join us as we navigate these advanced topics to better serve your small business borrowers and lending partners.10:15 AM – 10:30 AM |
NADCO Networking Break
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6 Foyer
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM |
Lunch on Your Own
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM |
NADCO Networking Break
2nd Floor La Galleries 5-6 Foyer
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