Events

We are headed to Denver for the biggest credit union event in the West! Join over a thousand credit union professionals to network, learn from renowned industry leaders, engage with cutting-edge solutions, and experience the must-attend signature event that inspires and elevates you!

This session promises to be an invaluable opportunity to learn, share, and network with peers in an open and stimulating environment. Don’t miss out on this chance to elevate your credit union’s digital strategy and drive meaningful growth. Come prepared to learn and collaborate for a brighter future in banking!

An off-site partner event led by the Colorado Chapter of Credit Unions was conducted to maximize CU4Kids' fundraising efforts. "Pints with Purpose" is a prelude to the main CU4Kids Diamond Roundup Auction on Tuesday, October 15. *Shuttles from The Gaylord are available.

Join us to unlock excellence in your employee life cycle while elevating your organization’s learning culture and engagement. This session will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies whether you’re looking to increase retention using intentional onboarding, to refine your training programs, to develop leadership skill development programming, or to maintain a strong culture of learning. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

Credit union advocates, advocacy coordinators, and key contacts have been working this year to engage in their communities and share the mission of credit unions. During this workshop, advocates will meet by state to work on their credit union goals, share what is working at their credit union, and hear best practices from other credit unions. The workshop will prepare GoWest advocates for 2025 and the upcoming legislative sessions and offer effective, regionally-focused strategies.

Panelists will share their expertise, insights, and experiences regarding the market, challenges, and opportunities of “green lending.” You will learn how green lending, which includes the financing of climate-centric home improvement projects such as solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps, HVAC systems, and products such as electric autos and bicycles, resonates with many of your existing and potential members. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

Uncover the powerful role credit unions can play in revitalizing rural communities by extending essential financial services and support. This engaging session will highlight innovative approaches and successful initiatives that have bridged the gap between credit unions and rural populations.

Join Dr. Michael Steinberger, Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at Pomona College and Dean of WCMS, for a data-driven discussion on where the U.S. economy is heading in the next 10 years and the corresponding threats and opportunities for credit unions. The underlying demographic and economic trends that will shape the financial services industry of the future will be unpacked, and historical episodes that have affected and shaped banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions will be explored. We’ll look at and analyze how current trends may drastically alter financial services operations in the coming decade. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

In this legal update, experienced legal experts from Farleigh Wada Witt will discuss the latest developments and changes in the legal and regulatory environment that directly impact credit union professionals. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, credit union professionals must stay informed about the shifting requirements and risks to ensure their operations remain in accordance with the law. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

Join David Eldred, Chief Experience Officer at Solarity Credit Union, as he unveils the transformative journey of their branch and digital services. This case study presentation will delve into how Solarity leveraged data analytics and member segmentation to radically redesign its service delivery model. Discover how the implementation of Smart ATMs and the shift towards a member-obsessed strategy aimed to prioritize high-value member segments like “Digital Dave.” Through the use of advanced machine learning and a refined segmentation model, see how Solarity not only anticipated but strategically managed member behaviors and preferences, resulting in a more focused and deep understanding of its membership base.

The alignment of culture, people, and strategy has been a recurring gap that credit unions see as a hurdle to achieving digital transformation. To achieve a successful member-centric strategy, credit unions must transform their business through clearly defined value propositions, supported with the right technology and organizational culture and capabilities. This session will identify one big shift in how thriving credit unions are approaching business transformation and six critical areas that are barriers to transformation but – with the right focus – can serve as bridges to a successful future. We will also show you how a member-centric strategy can reach and serve younger consumers.

Feeling stuck? Is your team stuck too? If your responses include thoughts like, “I don’t know what my purpose is,” “I’m overwhelmed,” or “We can do more as a team, but I can’t ask for more,” then this session is exactly what you need. It’s time to turn things around. Forget shutting down operations to adopt yet another flavor-of-the-month process or beat yourself up for feeling exhausted. This session provides tangible, immediately applicable tools and insights from the best-selling book, The Can-Do Mindset: How to Make Things Happen with Enthusiasm. Join best-selling author Denise Gabel for a high-energy and humorous session that will leave you inspired and motivated to achieve more. Engage fully in the session for a chance to win an Energy Leadership Index (ELI) assessment and debrief, designed to provide deeper insights into your personal and professional growth. Don’t miss this opportunity to “unstuck” yourself and unleash your Can-Do mindset. Prepare to walk away with actionable insights and renewed energy to propel yourself and your team forward.

In this comprehensive session, Ashish Garg, CEO and Founder of Eltropy, will dive into today’s fast-paced financial world, the combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital communications is revolutionizing how financial institutions engage with customers. This session will dive into how this powerful duo can enhance member engagement, collections, lending, and more by driving smarter, more personalized interactions.

Join us for an insightful presentation on the Evergreen Impact Housing Fund (EIHF) and its transformative impact on affordable housing. Discover how EIHF's innovative approach to housing investment not only addresses the critical need for affordable housing but also aligns with the values of credit unions by promoting social responsibility and sustainable growth.

Calling all GWLN, CUDEs, and CMS alumni! Join us for breakfast, reconnect with old friends, and make new connections. Enjoy this time together while gaining empowering insights from Abby Havermann, a psychotherapist turned coach, as she shares her expertise on embracing your authentic self with confidence and shifting from proving your worth to owning it. Discover the transformative power of Positive Intelligence® mental fitness, with actionable steps that can bring life-altering change to both your leadership journey and the communities you serve. Separate Ticketed Event.

This is hardly the first time American politics have been bitterly divided, but it’s the first time it’s been bitterly divided in this way. With insight, humor, and rich personal stories, John Harwood draws on decades of work for the most prestigious outlets on the media landscape to describe the unpredictable electoral outlook that this collision of forces has produced.

Artificial Intelligence is the hot, new buzzword being thrown around in financial services, but many people don't understand how AI is different from machine learning or Generative AI. In this session, you'll learn about the different types of artificial intelligence and how they apply in the financial services industry. Mike de Vere, CEO of Zest AI, will show how AI and machine learning can help credit unions better detect first-party, third-party, and synthetic fraud. You'll learn how Generative AI is a game changer for credit unions, allowing you to get instant insights into your lending portfolios, analyze performance benchmarks, and access critical information from internal reports and documents – all with simple, natural human language prompts. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

Financial regulation impacts all aspects of credit union operations. Hear from your financial regulators about the changing regulatory landscape, examination trends, and insight into programmatic improvements that will streamline exams and improve communication. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, offer suggestions, and provide feedback during this interactive session. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

This session will showcase a community-centered collaboration model that can be replicated to design innovative products and services that meet unique local needs. Learn from a panel of Tucson-area credit union leaders who partnered to expand homeownership access by co-creating a home financing opportunity. You'll gain insights into how credit union partnerships and collective impact models can lead to financial solutions that serve community needs in a significant way.

Join Scott Hildenbrand, head of Piper Sandler Financial Strategies, for a discussion on positioning your balance sheet for 2025 and beyond. Years of a pandemic environment, an unprecedented 500bp rate hike, and major bank failures have all led to financial institutions hitting the reset button to reassess their balance sheet risks in the new normal. During this session, you'll learn about considerations for repositioning and resizing your balance sheet, review executed transaction case studies, and share how your ALCO/board can prepare today to take action. Hildenbrand will share market updates to contextualize the ideas and help management teams prioritize things that add value to their franchise. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

The human brain is the most complex technology available, but we’ve never been given a manual for it. In this 60-minute session, participants will learn the three mental muscles necessary to install an operating system for success in challenging times as well as learn strategies for shifting your brain and body from stress to ease and action. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

Research shows that a culture of “internal mobility” can help employers develop and retain better leaders who drive growth. This session will help your credit union break out of a top-down, pyramid-shaped succession plan and create a program that engages, retains, and develops your best talent. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

These meetings are open to GAC Members ONLY.

Since 2018, banks have consistently outperformed credit unions in overall consumer satisfaction. This is surprising because credit unions pride themselves on superior service. However, service must go beyond just being fast and friendly – it needs to include providing tailored solutions to solve members' problems. That's where sales come in. As leaders, we often wonder why our employees don’t sell more; however, we shy away from using the word "sales" and fail to set clear expectations. A credit union’s mission should define the behaviors necessary for success, but we often focus on outcomes instead of the behaviors that drive them. In this 90-minute workshop, you’ll learn numerous ways to increase sales without making your employees feel like they are selling, and you will walk away with at least four tangible insights you can implement on your first day back in the office.

Join WSECU’s Judith Henderson, Chief Technology Officer, and Melissa Wolff, VP of Operations Support and Payment Services, as they share highlights from their credit union’s journey to understand and implement robotic process automation. Hear about lessons learned, strategies for success, and opportunities to implement cutting-edge technology that delivers value and service to membership. During this session, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, share input from your credit union, and uncover new ideas to take back to your organizations. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

These meetings are open to GAC Members ONLY.

These meetings are open to GAC Members ONLY.

These meetings are open to GAC Members ONLY.

Discover how you can offer realistic financial education simulations to students by guiding them through the daily responsibilities of adulthood using the Bite of Reality app. Bite of Reality kits are available free of charge from GoWest Foundation to GoWest member credit unions. Experience the interactive budgeting exercise firsthand, where you'll make everyday purchases and decisions that impact your budget in real time, gaining invaluable insights into effective money management. You'll hear from experienced credit union leaders who have been successful in facilitating Bite of Reality events in their communities who will share their insights, best practices, and expertise to enrich your experience.

Join us as we highlight prominent networking groups within the Credit Union Movement, including CU Pride and CUWLA (Credit Union Women's Leadership Alliance). Whether you're new to the industry or looking to expand your network, this panel discussion offers valuable insights and practical advice on finding your place and building meaningful connections in the world of credit unions.

These meetings are open to GAC Members ONLY.

These meetings are open to GAC Members ONLY.

This session will explore innovative methods to attract new credit union members in today’s competitive landscape. The session will delve into leveraging both traditional and digital strategies to cut through the noise and reach potential members effectively. Additionally, the importance of optimizing digital experiences through user behavior analysis and segmentation will be highlighted, ensuring your team meets evolving customer expectations for personalized and seamless online interactions.

This session will showcase the program’s proven approach that bridges the gap from manager to leader and inspires individuals to drive meaningful change within their credit unions and lead their teams to success.

This session will delve into the specifics of these new requirements and discuss best practices and benchmarks for succession plans for board of directors, key executives, and other critical positions. You will gain insights into best practices for crafting comprehensive succession plans that comply with regulatory expectations and enhance the credit union’s strategic approach to leadership continuity.

For the first time in history, people age 50+ outnumber younger populations. As we enter the greatest wealth transfer of our time, how can credit unions stay ahead of it? Join Dr. Eric Chess and Rebecca Laurie for an interactive session, with Q&As throughout, that takes a fascinating look into the medical science behind the aging brain and the psychology and behavioral economics behind financial decision-making.

Join us for insightful exploration as we delve into the current landscape of auto lending, examining key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the industry today. Industry experts will analyze recent developments in consumer behavior, regulatory changes, and technological advancements influencing lending practices. You will hear forecasts and projections for 2025, providing invaluable insight for stakeholders looking to navigate and capitalize on the evolving auto lending market. Whether you are a lending professional, CEO, or other functional area leader, this session promises to equip you with strategic knowledge essential for future planning and decision-making in the dynamic world of auto lending. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

This session will provide valuable insights into emerging threats such as social engineering and ATM jackpotting. You will learn about external and internal cybersecurity challenges and gain actionable strategies to effectively prevent fraud. This is an opportunity to hear firsthand experiences from the field and enhance your credit union’s defenses against financial crimes. The session will conclude with Q&A time, allowing for an interactive and informative discussion. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

AI Keynote Speaker Zack Kass provides a comprehensive roadmap that charts the trajectory of AI from its humble beginnings in ChatGPT to its future potential. He condenses his vast experience and deep knowledge into a practical guide that demystifies the complexities of AI, offering an insightful perspective on the evolution of this disruptive technology. Delivering pragmatic strategies, Zack demonstrates how organizations can adapt and thrive amidst the rapid advancements in AI. This keynote arms your leaders with an understanding of AI’s past to leverage its present and shape your future, positioning your organization at the forefront of this technological revolution.

Employees are looking for unique experiences from their organization at various phases of their work life cycle. By focusing on these critical stages of the employee life cycle – Attracting & Recruiting, Engagement & Development, and Growth & Performance Management – this roundtable session will provide valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance the overall employee experience, ultimately driving higher engagement and retention rates within your organization.

Emerging innovations, competition, and technologies are providing opportunities and challenges every day for marketers. Join this discussion on the hot topics keeping credit union marketers up at night, including AI, the changing landscape of competition, martech, and data analysis. Come ready to share your thoughts and to learn from marketing peers from across the region!

Robust compliance programs and effective risk management strategies are the backbones of healthy and successful credit unions. This roundtable will bring together peers across these functions for a dialogue on critical issues and effective tactics to create buy-in across organizations.

Board Directors are invited to attend this special roundtable discussing the issues most relevant to their roles. As Board Directors play a pivotal role in steering the strategic direction of the credit unions they serve, this session will cover topics including understanding the most important financial metrics to review, effective strategies to evaluate their effectiveness, creative recruiting tactics, and more.

Open to CEOs only, this will be an excellent opportunity to join your peers for an informative discussion on the latest trends and priorities impacting the credit union industry.

Join Mike Smith, VP and Senior Business Services Officer at CU Business Group, for a deep dive into serving business clients. You’ll hear an industry update on commercial lending and small business banking before joining an open discussion on strategies for reaching small businesses, growing business loans, and developing successful treasury management programs.

Credit Unions have great, community-focused stories that journalists want to tell; however, in today's fast-paced and rapidly changing media environment, a press release alone will rarely result in media coverage. Join Barefoot PR in this engaging session where you’ll learn tools of the public relations trade that will equip you to identify newsworthy stories, pitch media, build relationships with journalists, and elevate your brand through proactive media relations.

In this legal update, experienced legal experts from Farleigh Wada Witt will discuss the latest developments and changes in the legal and regulatory environment that directly impact credit union professionals. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, credit union professionals must stay informed about the shifting requirements and risks to ensure their operations remain in accordance with the law. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

Twenty-five years of empirical, data-driven research reveals balanced success for a group of credit unions that have thrived through volatile, uncertain, chaotic, and business-as-usual times. While the differences in size, markets, members, and models are most interesting, the similarities and common threads of leadership, strategy, and capacity for sustainable success have proven to be most valuable. In this session, you will discover the choices made to create these built-to-last results and have the opportunity to create a plan for your credit union that will deliver enduring value for the next generation of members, markets, professionals, and communities. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

Financial regulation impacts all aspects of credit union operations. Hear from your financial regulators about the changing regulatory landscape, examination trends, and insight into programmatic improvements that will streamline exams and improve communication. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, offer suggestions, and provide feedback during this interactive session. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

Join us for a session on the Small Business Resiliency Loan program, a collaborative initiative developed in partnership with credit unions and The Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN). This program is designed to meet the capital and credit-building needs of underserved communities. You will gain insights on the importance of credit union collaboration, community outreach, and legislative advocacy, and the ability of credit unions to have a transformative impact on the financial empowerment of underserved communities.

Join us for insightful exploration as we delve into the current landscape of auto lending, examining key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the industry today. Industry experts will analyze recent developments in consumer behavior, regulatory changes, and technological advancements influencing lending practices. You will hear forecasts and projections for 2025, providing invaluable insight for stakeholders looking to navigate and capitalize on the evolving auto lending market. Whether you are a lending professional, CEO, or other functional area leader, this session promises to equip you with strategic knowledge essential for future planning and decision-making in the dynamic world of auto lending. This session qualifies for CPE Credit.

Embark on a transformative journey with “A Champions Mindset From Adversity to Triumph,” where inspiring stories and practical strategies converge. This high energy keynote is a celebration of triumphs born from navigating tremendous adversity. Attendees will gain insights into transforming setbacks into opportunities for personal and professional growth, all while developing a resilient mindset that propels them and their teams forward.

We would be honored by your presence at our PAC The House, PAC Champions celebration. Please RSVP by Oct 15th, 2024. You can register by clicking on the link above.