2026 Independents Conference & Expo
May 18 – May 21, 2026
OMNI PGA Frisco | Frisco, TX
Early Bird Registration Ends March 13th
Get ready to transform your lending operation from top to bottom.
This isn’t your typical conference agenda. It’s a master course in how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping every stage of personal lending … right now, and in the years ahead. And there’s no better place to have that conversation than Frisco, Texas, one of the fastest-growing communities in America and a symbol of what bold vision and smart investment can build.
There is AI futurist Steve Brown’s eye-opening keynote on the current and coming wave of artificial intelligence to deep-dive sessions exploring AI’s implications across the entire life of a loan. There are sessions on relationship-driven origination and risk modeling beyond credit scores, to AI-powered funding operations, frictionless borrower experiences, and collections analytics that move the needle. Every session is designed to give you actionable insights you can implement.
AI isn’t just a tool. It’s a bridge — connecting where consumer finance is today to where it needs to be tomorrow. Whether you’re looking to crack the code on inflated credit scores with advanced analytics, revolutionize your borrower experience with predictive AI tools, or deploy intelligent automation for competitive advantage, the 2026 AFSA Independents Conference & Expo will deliver the strategies, innovations, and real-world examples that will separate industry leaders from the pack.
Don’t just attend. Come ready to lead the AI revolution in consumer lending.
Omni PGA Frisco Resort
4341 PGA Parkway
Frisco, TX 75033
Endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation
Located amongst the beautiful rolling hills of the former Fields Ranch, minutes from downtown Frisco; Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa is an unparalleled destination rooted in community, entertainment, and service. As soon as travelers arrive, they will be greeted with legendary Texas hospitality and unmatched luxury throughout the resort.
Fitness and Leisure
- Two Heated Outdoor Resort Pools
- Kid’s Splash Pad
- Outdoor Heated Adults-Only Pool
- Heated Spa Pool
- Two 18-Hole Championship Golf Courses
- The Swing; Lighted 10-Hole Short Course
- The Dance Floor; 2-Acre Putting Course
- Full-Service Mokara Spa
Book your rooms here or contact the hotel reservations department directly at 1-800-THE-OMNI to reserve your guest room at the discounted AFSA rate of $359 + $10 Resort Fee (discounted from $45) and taxes.
HOTEL RESERVATION DEADLINE: THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026
*In addition to the room types contracted by AFSA for the conference the resort offers suites and 4br ranch homes. If you are interested in booking something else please reach out to:
Joyce Luunguyen, Group Room Coordinator
Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa
Direct: 469-305-4546 | Email: joyce.luunguyen@omnihotels.com
Rooms in the block are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The block will fill before the deadline. Please reserve your hotel as early as possible to ensure availability. The hotel requires a credit card number to confirm. If the reservation is not cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival, the card will be billed for the entire stay.
Airport Options:
DFW: 12 Miles (Approximately $45 on Uber)
Dallas Love Field: 17 Miles (Approximately $45 on Uber)
Car Rental: AFSA’s partnership with Enterprise Rent-A-Car gives AFSA attendees a 10% discount on rental cars during their travels. Click Here to access Enterprise’s web site for reservations. AFSA Discount Code: 16AH072.
If you have questions regarding the meeting feel free to contact Michele Battaline, AFSA Vice President, Conferences & Special Events at mbattaline@afsamail.org
The cost of parking at the Omni is: $30 Self Parking or $45 Valet.
Agenda
Get ready to transform your lending operation from top to bottom.
This isn’t your typical conference agenda. It’s a master course in how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping every stage of personal lending right now.
From AI futurist Steve Brown’s eye-opening keynote on the current and coming wave of artificial intelligence to deep-dive sessions exploring AI’s implications across the entire life of a loan, from relationship-driven origination, risk modeling beyond credit scores, to AI-powered funding operations, frictionless borrower experiences, and collections analytics that actually move the needle, every session is designed to give you actionable insights you can implement immediately.
Whether you’re looking to crack the code on inflated credit scores with advanced analytics, revolutionize your borrower experience with predictive AI tools, or deploy intelligent automation for competitive advantage, the 2026 AFSA Independents Conference & Expo will deliver the strategies, inovations, and real-world examples that will separate industry leaders from the pack in 2026 and beyond.
Don’t just attend. Come ready to lead the AI revolution in consumer lending.
*Schedule is subject to change.
Monday, May 18
| 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | AFSA Registration Center |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Business Partner Board Meeting & Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | State Government Affairs Committee Sponsored by  |
| 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Installment Credit Risk |
| 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Law Committee Invitation only Sponsored by  |
| 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Operations & Regulatory Compliance Committee Sponsored by  |
| 2:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | AFSA Golf Tournament Sponsored by  |
| 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | ORCC & SGA Reception Invitation only |
| 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Law Committee Dinner Invitation only Dinner sponsored by  |
| 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | AFSAPAC Event Invitation only        |
Tuesday, May 19
| 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | AFSA Registration Center |
| 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Independents Auto Finance Executive Group Breakfast & Meeting Invitation only |
| 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Law Committee Invitation only |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Leadership Development Program Steering Committee |
| 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | The EDGE Advisory Board |
| 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Culture & Workforce Development Networking Group |
| 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | APWG Sponsored by  |
| 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | AFSAEF Board Meeting & Lunch Invitation only |
| 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Executive Committee & Lunch Invitation only Sponsored by  |
| 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | AFSA Board of Directors Sponsored by  |
| 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Women’s Leadership Council Invitation only Refreshments sponsored by  |
| 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Welcome Party with Exhibitors Reception sponsored by |
| 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Dinner / Outstanding Employees / PAC Auction Open to all! Dinner sponsored by  Entertainment sponsored by  |
Wednesday, May 20
| 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | AFSA Registration Center |
| 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. | Sunrise Run Sponsored by  |
| 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. | Marketing & Communications Committee Sponsored by |
| 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. | Breakfast with Exhibitors Sponsored by  |
| 8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Chair & President’s Welcome / Keynote / Outstanding Independent Sponsored by  |
| 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Building Better Bridges: Reinventing Relationship-Driven Lending Step into the future of lending where powerful partnerships aren’t just built, they’re engineered for growth! Discover how technologies are empowering lenders and partners to find the right customers, faster. Unpack the secrets to seamless onboarding and stand apart in a crowded market. Don’t miss the blueprint to next-level origination, where digital connections spark results. |
| 10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Refreshments with Exhibitors Sponsored by  |
| 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Load, Lock, and Launch: Data-Driven Funding Operations Unlock the secrets of seamless funding in an always-on, always-changing world. Watch as AI blows open bottlenecks, cranks up compliance, and fuels funding velocity like never before. Learn how to turn complex contracting and securitization into a strategic advantage. Your seat at the fast-evolving finance table awaits—be ready or risk being outpaced. |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Luncheon with Exhibitors Refreshments sponsored by |
| 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Effortless Accounts: Redefining the Borrower Experience Say goodbye to friction and hello to financial journeys that wow. Discover the tools that are rewriting the rules of payment, servicing, and customer loyalty. Learn how next-generation lenders keep clients smiling and competitors guessing with ultra-personalized, predictive solutions. Make every interaction count and transform “routine management” into a standout moment. |
| 1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Analytics in Action: The New Rules of Collections and Recovery Join the frontlines of collections, where data innovations don’t just guide strategy … they lead the charge. Explore technology-fueled methods to recover more, lose less, and enhance performance. Find the edge in turning every past-due account into a new opportunity for growth. The future of recovery is here; learn how to dominate it with analytics and precision! |
| 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Refreshments with Exhibitors Sponsored by |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Operations Networking Group |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Independents Accounting Committee |
| 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Independents Advisory Board |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Reception with Exhibitors |
Thursday, May 21
| 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | AFSA Registration Center |
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Independents Policy Working Group Invitation only |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Champions Club Keynote | Kara Lawson Sponsored by |
| 9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Public Policy Update Get the download on federal and state public policy happenings form AFSA’s crack government relations team. Sponsored by  |
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Credit Score Mirage? Looking Past the Numbers to Real Risk When credit builders meet credit scores, underwriters face a paradox: higher scores, higher risk. Explore how credit agency tools create inflated scores that obscure true creditworthiness. Discover how leading lenders are adapting risk models to see through score inflation, incorporating alternative data sources and advanced analytics to get an accurate read on repayment capacity. Learn strategies to recalibrate your decisioning process when traditional credit scores no longer tell the whole story, and why lenders who crack this code will dominate their market. |
Read Steve’s full bio here.
Your Keynote Speaker
Steve Brown is a leading force in the conversation on artificial intelligence. A former executive at
Google DeepMind and Intel, he has delivered hundreds of information-packed, entertaining
keynotes across five continents where he inspires audiences to action with AI.
Steve is a leading thinker on AI, generative AI, autonomous agents, digital transformation, and how
AI will shape business, education, and society. Steve draws upon decades of experience in artificial
intelligence and high tech to help leaders build winning AI strategies that fuel innovation, boost
productivity, and drive growth.
Champions Club Speaker
Kara Lawson is a trailblazing coach, decorated athlete, and powerful motivational speaker whose influence extends far beyond basketball. She currently serves as the Head Coach for Duke University Women’s Basketball, most recently winning an ACC Championship in 2025, and was recently named the USA Women’s National Team Head Coach through 2028.
Her impact on the women’s basketball community is evident as she was named one of the 100 most influential people in women’s college basketball, as announced by Silver Waves Media in the summer of 2020. Lawson is also a founding board member of the Boston Celtics United for Social Justice.
Read Kara’s full bio here.
By attending this event, you hereby consent to having your photo, likeness, and voice recorded and used by AFSA for promotional, marketing, or other lawful purposes in any media now known or hereafter existing.