For Small Credit Unions, GoWest Events Deliver Big Value

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on March 18, 2026

Executives@Vail attendees in 2025

For small credit unions, every investment of time and resources matters. That’s why GoWest events are designed to deliver practical insights, meaningful connections, and real-world strategies that leaders can bring back to their teams.

At Executives@Coeur d’Alene on Aug. 4-6, small credit union leaders have an opportunity to step away from day-to-day operations and focus on the bigger picture — strategy, collaboration, and the future of the Credit Union Movement.

Gaining Perspective Beyond Your Credit Union

For Brad Swartzentruber, President and CEO of Idaho-based Northwest Christian Credit Union, conferences and leadership events provide valuable perspective that can be difficult to find elsewhere.

“I’ve found conferences and events to be valuable for staying current on trends in the movement, regulatory issues, and emerging best practices,” said Swartzentruber, who attended Executives@Vail in 2025. “Just as importantly, they provide practical ideas I can take back and apply immediately, along with perspective that helps me understand the marketplace and think more strategically about our credit union’s priorities.”

That strategic perspective is especially important for smaller institutions, where leaders often wear many hats. Events like Executives@Coeur d’Alene bring together credit union leaders facing similar challenges and opportunities, creating space for honest conversations about governance, growth, and innovation.

Learning Across Credit Union Sizes

One of the unique strengths of the credit union movement is collaboration — and that collaboration becomes especially valuable when leaders from institutions of different sizes come together.

Swartzentruber says those interactions have helped him better understand both current challenges and future opportunities. “Engaging with leaders from credit unions of all sizes broadens my perspective,” he said. “While our in

stitutions may differ in scale, many of the challenges are similar. Learning how others approach governance, strategy, and operations often sparks ideas that can be adapted effectively to a smaller credit union environment.”

Those conversations can also offer valuable foresight. “I also learn from larger credit unions what pitfalls to expect or avoid as our credit union scales up,” Swartzentruber added.

Building a Network That Lasts

Jamie Simmons, President and CEO of Wash.-based Connections Credit Union, finds the greatest value of attending industry events to be the network that develops from those shared experiences.

“I have been with Connections Credit Union for nearly 31 years, and conferences and industry events have always been an important way to stay informed,” shared Simmons, who attended GoWest’s 2026 CEO Co-Lab. “They provide valuable insight into current industry trends, economic conditions, and potential regulatory changes that may impact our members and operations.”

But the benefits go beyond information.

“The biggest benefit is the network you build,” Simmons said. “GoWest conferences give you the opportunity to connect with peers who are genuinely willing to share ideas and support one another.”

For small credit unions, those relationships can be particularly impactful. Leaders often discover new vendor recommendations, operational strategies, and creative solutions to challenges — all through conversations with peers who understand the realities of running a smaller institution.

Why Executives@Coeur d’Alene Matters

Events like Executives@Coeur d’Alene are intentionally designed for meaningful conversation and strategic thinking. In a smaller, retreat-style setting, CEOs and senior leaders can step away from their daily responsibilities and focus on the issues shaping the future of credit unions.

For small credit union leaders, that environment can provide both reassurance and inspiration.

As Swartzentruber puts it, “The biggest benefit is engagement with peers, thought leaders, and practical insights that are difficult to gain elsewhere. GoWest conferences provide a strong sense of community and reassurance that you’re not alone — along with concrete ideas that can make a real difference back home.”

For leaders looking to strengthen their strategy, expand their network, and bring fresh ideas back to their teams, Executives@Coeur d’Alene offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and collaborate with peers from across the region.

Don’t miss your chance to save on Executives@Coeur d’Alene. Register by March 29 to receive $200 off per attendee for small credit unions (under $125 million in assets) and $300 off for others. Bring your leadership team, align your strategy, and make this your most valuable planning meeting of the year.

Posted in Arizona, Colorado, Events, Idaho, Leadership, Oregon, Regional Member News, Small Credit Unions, Thought Leadership, Top Headlines, Washington, Wyoming.