ASSET VALUATION SUMMIT 2026
Cleveland, Ohio September 9-11, 2026
The Asset Valuation Summit
Advancing valuation through insight, innovation, and collaboration.
Get ready to grow your professional network and elevate your expertise in the heart of Cleveland at the historic Hotel Cleveland. This year’s Asset Valuation Summit (AVS) will bring together leading voices in asset finance, appraisal, and remarketing for a dynamic, immersive experience designed to inform, connect, and inspire.
Whether you’re involved in financing, appraising, or liquidating assets, AVS offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from industry experts covering every facet of valuation management. From practical, hands-on sessions to in-depth discussions on market trends and emerging challenges, you’ll gain insights you can immediately apply to your day-to-day work. Attendance may also qualify for Continuing Education (CE) credits, making this event an investment in your ongoing professional growth.
Explore the latest developments across key sectors including transportation, construction, manufacturing, technology, energy, and more. Industry leaders will share real-world perspectives, actionable data, and proven strategies to help you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market.
Join professionals from across the country as we gather at one of Cleveland’s most iconic and storied venues to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships, and shape the future of asset valuation. We look forward to welcoming you this September at Hotel Cleveland for an unforgettable Asset Valuation Summit.
- September 9th-11th
Register Now
Registration
$895
To pay with a check, please address the check to “Irontrax LLC” and mail it to 33 River St Suite 5, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
To make a wire payment, please call us at 440-237-0800 to verify the information and receive an invoice if needed.
Please note that a 5% fee is added to the cost to account for the processing fees.
We have secured a room block at Hotel Cleveland, right where all the action will be. We have a limited number of rooms and the room block reservations will close 8/19/2026 so book early to secure this price!
AVS SCHEDULE
See below for the event agenda. Please note that this is subject to change.
Opening Reception: Hotel Cleveland
Details:
- Location: 24 Public Square, Cleveland OH
Join us for an opening reception at the beautiful Maker Bar within Hotel Cleveland.
Networking Breakfast: 8:00-8:45 AM
- Location: Ambassador Ballroom
Start your day by reconnecting with old friends and making new connections at the AVS Networking Breakfast. This is the perfect opportunity to grow your professional network and exchange ideas with industry peers. Enjoy a delicious breakfast to fuel up for a productive day ahead.
Youjtisu: The Art of Being You - 9:00-10:30 AM
- Speaker: Michael Cavotta
This thought-provoking and interactive session invites attendees to look beyond the labels, titles, and expectations that often define us professionally. Through guided reflection and meaningful conversation, participants will explore a different way of understanding identity—one rooted not in how others describe us, but in how we live, grow, and become. Challenging, engaging, and deeply personal, this session offers a refreshing perspective on authenticity, leadership, and the stories we tell ourselves.
Networking Break: 10:30-10:45 AM
Construction: Navigating the Forces Shaping the Construction Equipment Market - 10:45-11:30 AM
- Speaker: Grant Adams, Ascendum Machinery
The construction equipment landscape continues to evolve as economic conditions, infrastructure spending, labor availability, and technology influence market activity. Join Grant Adams as they discuss current trends impacting equipment values, fleet utilization, demand, and future opportunities. Whether you’re involved in lending, appraisal, remarketing, or equipment ownership, this session will provide valuable perspectives on one of the industry’s most dynamic sectors.
Evolution of Asset Management: Looking Back, Moving Forward - 11:30-12:15 PM
- Speaker: Will Teft, Everbank
The responsibilities of today’s asset managers extend far beyond valuations and portfolio oversight. This discussion will explore the evolving strategies, technologies, and market forces shaping the profession, highlighting how organizations are adapting to an increasingly dynamic business environment. Attendees will leave with a broader understanding of the trends driving the future of asset management.
Lunch: 12:15-1:15 PM
- Speaker: Group Activity
Details:
Take advantage of our Networking Break to connect with fellow professionals, share insights, and build valuable relationships. This session is designed to foster meaningful interactions in a relaxed setting. Engage in conversations that could lead to new opportunities, collaborations, and friendships. Whether you’re looking to exchange ideas, discuss industry trends, or simply meet new people, this break is the perfect time to expand your network and enhance your conference experience.
Artificial Intelligence: AI in Asset Management & Equipment Finance - 1:30-2:15 PM
- Speaker: Nick Coscia, Capteris & Logan Campbell, Irontrax
AI in Asset Management & Equipment Finance
with Nick Coscia – SVP Asset Managent at Capteris Capital, and Logan Campbell – Solutions Architect at Irontrax
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the way organizations manage assets, analyze markets, and make lending and investment decisions. But beyond the headlines, what practical applications are delivering real value today?
In this session, Nick Coscia and Logan Campbell will explore how AI is being leveraged across the asset management and equipment finance lifecycle—from market intelligence and portfolio monitoring to asset valuation, workflow automation, and decision support. Attendees will gain insight into emerging use cases, lessons learned from real-world implementations, and the opportunities and challenges organizations face as they integrate AI into their operations.
Whether you’re evaluating your first AI initiative or looking to expand existing capabilities, this discussion will provide practical perspectives on how AI can enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and help organizations stay competitive in an evolving market.
Networking Break: 2:15-2:30 PM
Fireside Chat: An Insider’s Look at Machinery & Trucking Markets - 2:30-3:15 PM
- Speaker: Kyle Menges, Citi Bank
Behind the Velvet Rope: An Insider’s Look at Machinery & Trucking Markets
Join us for an interactive fireside chat with Kyle Menges, Senior Equity Research Analyst at Citigroup, for a forward-looking discussion on the construction and trucking equipment markets. Kyle brings an inside perspective from his coverage of leading machinery and transportation manufacturers, including Caterpillar, Deere & Co., PACCAR, United Rentals, and other key industry players.
This session will explore what manufacturers, investors, and market analysts are seeing in real time, including demand trends, production outlooks, rental fleet activity, trucking market conditions, interest rate pressure, and the broader economic factors influencing equipment values. Designed as an open and engaging conversation, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain insight into how public market trends may translate into real-world implications for equipment owners, lenders, appraisers, and remarketers.
Concrete/Asphalt Plants: Concrete Dreams & Asphalt Schemes - 3:15-4:00 PM
- Speaker: Brett Hoffman, Irontrax
Concrete Dreams & Asphalt Schemes
Presented by Brett Hoffman, this session will provide a practical look at the concrete and asphalt plant industry, with a focus on the key factors that influence value, marketability, and risk.
Concrete and asphalt plants are specialized assets where value is driven by more than age, cost, and capacity. Brett will discuss the nuances appraisers, lenders, owners, and advisors should understand, including plant configuration, production capacity, portability, permitting, location, material supply, seasonality, maintenance practices, and current market demand.
The session will also cover differences between ready-mix concrete plants, central mix plants, portable and stationary asphalt plants, batch plants, drum plants, silos, conveyors, scales, loaders, controls, environmental systems, and related support equipment. Attendees will learn what makes these assets desirable, what can limit marketability, and how value can shift depending on the intended use and value premise.
Networking Break: 4:00-4:15 PM
Lift Trucks, Marine & Rail: 4:15-5:00 PM
- Speaker: Brad Smith & Tripp Stewart
Explore the latest trends in the lift truck, marine, and rail equipment markets through this multi-industry panel featuring experienced valuation professionals. The discussion will cover market conditions, equipment demand, pricing trends, and the key economic factors influencing asset values. Whether you’re an appraiser, lender, or asset manager, this session provides practical insights into three critical sectors of the equipment marketplace.
Dinner: TBD - 6:00
- Location:
Details:
Networking Breakfast: 8:00-9:00 AM
- Location: Ambassador Ballroom
Details:
Start your day by reconnecting with old friends and making new connections at the AVS Networking Breakfast. This is the perfect opportunity to grow your professional network and exchange ideas with industry peers. Enjoy a delicious breakfast to fuel up for a productive day ahead.
Value Concepts: FMV, OLV, FLV and What They Really Mean - 9:00-9:45 AM
- Speaker: Mark Polis, Auxilior Capital & Bill Corwin, Gordon Borthers
Value Concepts in Equipment Appraisals: FMV, OLV, FLV and What They Really Mean
This panel discussion will break down the most commonly used value concepts in machinery and equipment appraisals, including Fair Market Value, Orderly Liquidation Value, Forced Liquidation Value, Fair Market Value in Continued Use, and related premises of value.
Panelists will discuss what these terms mean from both the client’s perspective and the appraiser’s perspective, with emphasis on how the intended use of the appraisal, disposition timeline, market conditions, asset condition, and buyer motivation can materially affect the final value conclusion.
The session will focus on practical, real-world examples involving lenders, lessors, business owners, attorneys, workout professionals, and appraisers. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of why the same piece of equipment can have multiple legitimate value conclusions depending on the assignment premise, and why selecting the correct definition of value at the beginning of an engagement is critical.
Networking Break: 9:45-10:00 AM
Machine Tools: Understanding the Manufacturing Equipment Landscape - 10:00-10:45 AM
- Speaker: Tom Hazelhurst & Anthony Cerrito, Machinery Management
Manufacturing continues to evolve alongside advancements in automation, precision machining, and industrial technology. This session explores the current state of the machine tool market, including factors influencing equipment demand, residual values, production capacity, and investment decisions. Attendees will gain valuable insight into the trends shaping this critical segment of the manufacturing economy.
The Green Light at 30,000 Feet: Aircraft Values, Market Nuance & What You Need to Know - 10:45-11:30 AM
- Speaker: Jeff Dunn, Hawthorne Aviation
The Green Light at 30,000 Feet: Aircraft Values, Market Nuance & What You Need to Know
Presented by Jeff Dunn of Hawthorne Aviation, this session will provide a practical look at the aircraft market and the key factors that influence aircraft value, marketability, and risk.
Aircraft valuation requires an understanding of far more than make, model, and year. Jeff will discuss the nuances that appraisers, lenders, lessors, owners, and advisors need to know, including aircraft type, engine programs, maintenance status, logbooks, avionics, utilization, damage history, inspection cycles, market demand, and buyer behavior.
The session will also address how value can shift depending on the intended use of the appraisal and the applicable value premise, including Fair Market Value, Orderly Liquidation Value, Forced Liquidation Value, and continued-use considerations. Attendees will gain insight into what makes an aircraft desirable, what can impair value, and what questions should be asked before relying on a value conclusion.
This session will give attendees a real-world understanding of aircraft valuation from nose to tail, with emphasis on the details that can materially impact value in today’s aviation market.
Trucking: Reading the Road Ahead for Transportation Markets - 11:30-12:15 PM
- Speaker: Rob Slavin, Ritchie Bros
The trucking industry remains one of the most closely watched sectors in equipment finance, influenced by freight demand, fleet replacement cycles, regulatory changes, fuel costs, and broader economic conditions. Join industry professionals as they discuss the current transportation landscape, market trends, and the factors affecting truck values today and in the years ahead. This session is designed to provide practical insights for appraisers, lenders, remarketers, and equipment owners alike.
Sessions/Speakers
Value Concepts in Equipment Appraisals: FMV, OLV, FLV and What They Really Mean
This panel discussion will break down the most commonly used value concepts in machinery and equipment appraisals, including Fair Market Value, Orderly Liquidation Value, Forced Liquidation Value, Fair Market Value in Continued Use, and related premises of value.
Panelists will discuss what these terms mean from both the client’s perspective and the appraiser’s perspective, with emphasis on how the intended use of the appraisal, disposition timeline, market conditions, asset condition, and buyer motivation can materially affect the final value conclusion.
The session will focus on practical, real-world examples involving lenders, lessors, business owners, attorneys, workout professionals, and appraisers. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of why the same piece of equipment can have multiple legitimate value conclusions depending on the assignment premise, and why selecting the correct definition of value at the beginning of an engagement is critical.
Concrete Dreams & Asphalt Schemes
with Brett Hoffman – Senior Appraiser at Irontrax
Presented by Brett Hoffman, this session will provide a practical look at the concrete and asphalt plant industry, with a focus on the key factors that influence value, marketability, and risk.
Concrete and asphalt plants are specialized assets where value is driven by more than age, cost, and capacity. Brett will discuss the nuances appraisers, lenders, owners, and advisors should understand, including plant configuration, production capacity, portability, permitting, location, material supply, seasonality, maintenance practices, and current market demand.
The session will also cover differences between ready-mix concrete plants, central mix plants, portable and stationary asphalt plants, batch plants, drum plants, silos, conveyors, scales, loaders, controls, environmental systems, and related support equipment. Attendees will learn what makes these assets desirable, what can limit marketability, and how value can shift depending on the intended use and value premise.
The Green Light at 30,000 Feet: Aircraft Values, Market Nuance & What You Need to Know
With Jeff Dunn – President at Hawthorne Aero Valuation Services
Presented by Jeff Dunn of Hawthorne Aviation, this session will provide a practical look at the aircraft market and the key factors that influence aircraft value, marketability, and risk.
Aircraft valuation requires an understanding of far more than make, model, and year. Jeff will discuss the nuances that appraisers, lenders, lessors, owners, and advisors need to know, including aircraft type, engine programs, maintenance status, logbooks, avionics, utilization, damage history, inspection cycles, market demand, and buyer behavior.
The session will also address how value can shift depending on the intended use of the appraisal and the applicable value premise, including Fair Market Value, Orderly Liquidation Value, Forced Liquidation Value, and continued-use considerations. Attendees will gain insight into what makes an aircraft desirable, what can impair value, and what questions should be asked before relying on a value conclusion.
This session will give attendees a real-world understanding of aircraft valuation from nose to tail, with emphasis on the details that can materially impact value in today’s aviation market.
AI in Asset Management & Equipment Finance
with Nick Coscia – SVP Asset Managent at Capteris Capital, and Logan Campbell – Solutions Architect at Irontrax
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the way organizations manage assets, analyze markets, and make lending and investment decisions. But beyond the headlines, what practical applications are delivering real value today?
In this session, Nick Coscia and Logan Campbell will explore how AI is being leveraged across the asset management and equipment finance lifecycle—from market intelligence and portfolio monitoring to asset valuation, workflow automation, and decision support. Attendees will gain insight into emerging use cases, lessons learned from real-world implementations, and the opportunities and challenges organizations face as they integrate AI into their operations.
Whether you’re evaluating your first AI initiative or looking to expand existing capabilities, this discussion will provide practical perspectives on how AI can enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and help organizations stay competitive in an evolving market.
Behind the Velvet Rope: An Insider’s Look at Machinery & Trucking Markets
with Kyle Menges – Senior Equity Research Analyst at Citigroup
Join us for an interactive fireside chat with Kyle Menges, Senior Equity Research Analyst at Citigroup, for a forward-looking discussion on the construction and trucking equipment markets. Kyle brings an inside perspective from his coverage of leading machinery and transportation manufacturers, including Caterpillar, Deere & Co., PACCAR, United Rentals, and other key industry players.
This session will explore what manufacturers, investors, and market analysts are seeing in real time, including demand trends, production outlooks, rental fleet activity, trucking market conditions, interest rate pressure, and the broader economic factors influencing equipment values. Designed as an open and engaging conversation, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain insight into how public market trends may translate into real-world implications for equipment owners, lenders, appraisers, and remarketers.
… and more to come!
Why Cleveland?
The city’s downtown area is home to University Circle, a concentration of cultural, educational, and medical institutions, including the Cleveland Botanical Garden, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals, Severance Hall, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Western Reserve Historical Society, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
Centrally located in the mid-west easily accessible from points in the US and Canada with greater affordability than resort destinations.
East 4th – A destination neighborhood with dining, shopping, and entertainment.
The following companies on the Fortune 500 list have corporate headquarters in Greater Cleveland as of 2017: Progressive Insurance, Sherwin-Williams, Parker Hannifin, and Key Corp.
Cleveland is home to eight Fortune 1000 company headquarters.
A suburban home in Cleveland was the setting for the beloved film “A Christmas Story.” It has since been purchased on eBay, renovated to an exact replica of the house in the film.