On May 11-14, over 400 attendees including 18 HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Engage) participants and 90 exhibitors joined us in Appleton for the first in-person League Convention & Expo since 2019! We are very thankful for the medical advances that made gathering again possible and remain indebted to the technologies that allowed us to meet from afar over these past couple of years.
“Today. Together. Tomorrow” kicked off with opening remarks from League President & CEO Brett Thompson, followed by an inspiring keynote from ABC broadcast journalist John Quiñones (who also mingled with attendees at the prior evening’s welcome reception). Annual meetings for both Corporate Central Credit Union and The League were then held, where Sheila Schinke (Prospera Credit Union) was appointed to the League Board replacing Kevin Ralofsky (Verve, a Credit Union) who termed out and whose nine years of service was recognized in a resolution.
From there, Dr. Troy Hall (“Engagement is Out; Cohesion is In”), Erin Coleman (“The Future of Digital Transformation for Credit Unions”), and Hoan Do (“Cultivating Resilience”) provided additional thought-provoking keynote sessions amidst 30 other breakouts covering a variety of topics important to credit union professionals from cryptocurrency to succession planning to lending and more. A tasty networking lunch gave attendees a chance to catch up and get pointers from CU Difference’s Angela Prestil before the opening of the Expo Hall.
Once day became night, Convention goers had a chance to blow off some steam at CUNA Mutual’s Thursday Social featuring the talents of live band The Presidents, and—before saying goodbye—at the Northwoods Lounge & Libations Farewell Dinner Celebration on Friday featuring Manitowoc Minute comedian Charlie Berens!
Convention was also an opportunity to raise funds for Wisconsin credit unions’ legislative PAC, WCULAF. On Wednesday, May 11, WCULAF hosted both a golf outing attended by 80 golfers (who got to enjoy unseasonably warm weather) and its first ever bowling event which attracted 27 bowlers. Besides these two events, the WCULAF Silent Auction in the Convention Expo Hall featured great items up for auction such as the Wisconsin Supper Club History set, a make-your-own-whiskey kit, a children’s bouncy castle, Tito’s & Cheeto’s, an original painting by CUNA’s Christopher Morris, and more. In total, nearly $19,000 was raised to support credit union-friendly candidates and legislators!
Finally, Convention goers supported credit union wellness and gave back to their communities. This year’s Foundation bucket raffle raised over $5,000 and featured experiential prizes like Brewers tickets, a Southwest gift card, tickets to Summerfest, throwing out the first pitch at Credit Union Day at the Ballpark, and much more. Attendees also supported our host city by donating over 50 pounds in school supplies to the Appleton Area School District.
Looking for pictures? Check out our Facebook Album.
You can also view all photos from our professional photographer (and download high-resolution images) at the following two links:
Thank you to all who attended, and a very special thank you to our sponsors who made it all possible: CUNA Mutual Group, Corporate Central Credit Union, FHLBank Chicago, LaMacchia Group, and Husch Blackwell. The value of both the virtual space and face-to-face connection are clearer than ever, as is our Movement’s ability to embrace both for their strengths. No matter the challenges we face today or tomorrow, what is now clearer than ever is that we will always find a way to learn, grow, and face them together.