SUNDAY, JULY 19

2:00 P.m. - 4:00 P.m.
EARLY REGISTRATION

MONDAY, JULY 20

7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Registration and Breakfast

8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
General Session

The State of the Credit Union Industry: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities
Kick off this year’s conference with us as we unpack the latest industry trends. From digital transformation and member engagement strategies, to regulatory shifts and economic pressures. Bob Parks will highlight key challenges credit unions are facing today, shed light on emerging opportunities for growth, innovation and much more.

9:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Break

9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions

You Have AI Tools, Now What?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept – it’s here, and many credit unions are already adopting tools ranging from chatbots to predictive analysis. But having the tools is just the beginning. Join this informative session where Joe Zito will walk through policy areas for consideration for governance, how to establish design/input controls for accuracy in application, and security and privacy risks in utilizing AI tools.

Planning for Tomorrow: Succession Planning 101
As the credit union industry faces a wave of leadership transitions in the years to come, succession planning has become a strategic imperative. In this forward-looking session, attendees will explore how to build resilient leadership pipelines that foster innovation, and ensure continuity in governance and operations.

10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Break

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Breakout Sessions

Reshaping the Industry: Credit Union and CUSO M&A Trends
The credit union landscape is rapidly evolving with mergers and acquisitions emerging as a key strategy for growth, resilience and innovation. From credit union mergers to the increasing trend of credit unions acquiring banks and expanding or developing credit union service organizations (CUSOs), consolidation is reshaping the industry. Join David Milkes as he takes a deep dive into current trends, best practices and much more. 

Governance in Action: Understanding Your Role as a Volunteer
Whether you're a seasoned Board member or newly appointed to a Supervisory Committee, this session will provide the tools and insights needed to lead with integrity and confidence in today’s credit union environment. Gain a comprehensive understanding of your role and responsibilities. From safeguarding member assets, to ensuring regulatory compliance and guiding strategic direction, you’ll walk away from this session with a clear understanding of the expectations.  

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch

1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
General Session

Hot Topics in Regulatory Compliance and Key Regulatory Risks for Credit Unions 
Regulatory compliance is more than a checklist—it’s a strategic imperative. With dramatic changes at federal agencies, shifting regulatory pressures from examiners, and ongoing litigation threats for perceived compliance malfeasance, credit unions must stay ahead of emerging risks to protect their members and maintain institutional resilience. Doeren Mayhew’s John Zasada will take a deep dive into current compliance hot topics and explore key risk areas. This session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to strengthen your credit union’s compliance posture and proactively manage risks.

2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Break

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions

From Policy to Practice: Volunteer Oversight in Commercial Lending
Member business lending presents both opportunities and risks for credit unions, and effective volunteer oversight is essential to long-term success. This session will equip attendees with the tools to confidently oversee commercial lending activities. Learn how to evaluate existing policies and reporting frameworks, monitor credit and collateral risks, analyze risk rating review reports, and identify troubled loans before they result in losses. We’ll also explore the roles of internal audit and third-party vendors in supporting oversight, and share practical strategies for aligning governance with sound lending practices. Whether you're new to lending oversight or looking to sharpen your approach, this session bridges the gap between policy and practice.

In It For the Long Haul: How Audit Can Help Your Strategic Vision
All organizations have short- and long-term strategic goals. An internal audit of strategic initiatives will assist the Board and management in determining if plans are being achieved, and to identify unforeseen risks and roadblocks to success. This session explores how internal audit can serve as a powerful tool to assess progress, uncover hidden risks and reinforce accountability across your credit union’s strategic initiatives. 

3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Break

3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
General Session

Strategic Happiness: Becoming Wayfinders of Your Own Joy and Wellbeing 
In this energizing keynote, bestselling author and happiness expert Rochelle Gapere shows professionals how to become wayfinders of their own joy and well-being. Blending science, storytelling and strategy, Rochelle reveals how intentional happiness fuels focus, resilience, and leadership success. Attendees will learn practical tools to manage stress, rediscover purpose, and design lives that feel as good as they look. Uplifting and research-based, this session reminds us that happiness isn’t accidental; it’s a strategic advantage driving performance and fulfillment.

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
cOCKTAIL rECEPTION

Ready to the roll the dice? 
Join us for a casino-themed evening of fun packed with casino games, appetizers, live music and fun with your peers!

Tuesday, JULY 21

7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast

8:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
announcements and General Session

Harnessing AI for Strategic Advantage in Credit Unions
In this high-impact 75-minute session, attendees will gain a clear, executive-level understanding of how AI is reshaping the financial services landscape. We’ll explore real-world applications, highlight the most promising use-cases for credit unions and outline essential governance and compliance considerations to ensure responsible deployment. By session end, you’ll walk away with three actionable initiatives your Supervisory Committee or Board can champion to begin leveraging AI strategically within your institution.

9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Break

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Breakout Sessions

Financial Insights: Understanding Financial Statements and Key Ratios
Strong financial oversight starts with understanding the numbers. Gain an understanding of the breakdown of financial statements and what it reveals about the credit union’s financial health. In addition, explore essential key ratios and how to interpret trends. Walk away feeling empowered in your role to make informed decisions and fulfill your fiduciary responsibilities. 

Understanding Deferred Compensation Plans
Attracting and retaining top leadership talent is critical to the long-term success of any credit union. Deferred compensation plans offer powerful tools to reward performance, support succession planning and ensure financial security for key executives. Join this session as we provide the insights needed to evaluate, implement and oversee deferred compensation programs. 

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
BreaK

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 P.m.
Breakout Sessions

Navigating Audit Findings: A Roadmap to a Successful Next Audit
One of your most important roles as a credit union official is the oversight of your audits. Understanding audit findings and making executable action plans to address them can quickly become overwhelming when you're inundated with various requirements. This session will walk you through a roadmap of how to ensure your next audit is successful.

Building a Culture of Risk Awareness
In today’s dynamic financial landscape, risk awareness isn’t just a back-office concern — it’s a frontline responsibility. This session equips credit union volunteers with the knowledge and mindset needed to foster a culture of proactive risk awareness. Participants will explore the types of risks credit unions face, such as credit, interest rate risk, and more, and learn how their roles contribute to identifying, mitigating, and communicating risk effectively.

12:00 P.m. - 1:00 P.m.
LUNCH

1:00 P.m. - 2:00 P.m.
Breakout Sessions

Fintech Partnerships: Strategic Opportunities, Risks, and the Questions Every Board Should Ask
As credit unions increasingly explore partnerships with fintechs to enhance member experience and drive innovation, governance leaders must understand both the potential and the pitfalls. This session will unpack the strategic opportunities these collaborations offer, while also examining critical risks — from data security and regulatory compliance to cultural alignment and operational integration. Attendees will leave with a practical framework of governance-level questions to guide oversight and ensure each partnership aligns with the credit union’s mission, member needs, and regulatory expectations.

Back to the Basics: Utilizing the Power of Call Reports
Call reports provide a wealth of data about your credit union. They unveil critical information on the institution’s financial health and overall performance. Understanding the call report empowers directors to ask insightful questions, fulfill their responsibilities of governance by identifying risks and actively monitor financial performance. We will uncover the true power of call reports. Discover the purpose and benefits, how to access them, insights they provide and much more in this introductory session.

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
cOCKTAIL rECEPTION

Pre-registration Required at an Additional Cost 
Board the popular Savannah riverboat for an evening of fun, entertainment and great southern cuisine down the Savannah River!

wednesday, JULY 22

7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast

8:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
announcements and General Session

Corporate Credit Unions Explained: Infrastructure, Innovation and Impact
Explore the essential role corporate credit unions play within the broader credit union ecosystem in this engaging session led by Alloya Corporate Credit Union’s CEO Todd Adams. We’ll explore how building a high performing team of professionals maintaining high standards of service can be a winning formula to financial success and positive community impact. Participants will explore how corporate credit unions support natural person credit union success by providing payment, investment, and liquidity services through efficient and secure technology platforms. We will unpack the infrastructure that keeps the system running smoothly, highlight innovations shaping the future of cooperative finance, and examine the ripple effects of their impact on member credit unions and their communities.

9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Break

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Breakout Sessions

Bank Secrecy Act Fundamentals
Join Doeren Mayhew’s Joe Zito and Jennifer Hoskins as they walk through the basics Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). Gain an understanding of basic requirements, best practices for completing a BSA risk assessment and explore various aspects of BSA compliance and any new BSA related guidance. Walk away with an understanding of the regulation and your role in keeping your credit union compliant.

Volunteer Tools to Provide Effective Oversight Without Dampening Visionary Leadership
Charismatic CEOs can inspire growth, innovation, and loyalty—but they can also unintentionally overshadow governance, blur accountability, and challenge Board independence. This session equips volunteer Board and Audit Committee members with the tools to provide effective oversight without dampening visionary leadership. Through real-world case studies, behavioral insights, and practical governance strategies, attendees will learn how to ask the right questions, spot red flags early, and maintain a culture of transparency and trust. Whether you're new to Board service or a seasoned volunteer, this presentation will empower you to lead with confidence and uphold the values that make credit unions unique.

10:30 A.m. - 11:00 A.m.
Break

11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
General Session

Elevating Your Role on the Supervisory Committee
Go beyond the basics and discover what it truly means to thrive as a Supervisory Committee member. This highly engaging panel will dive into discussions about how to overcome common challenges, enhance collaboration, strengthen governance and elevate your impact as a volunteer. This session promises to deliver insights to help you excel in your role.