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December 11 - 14, 2025
Now more than ever your credit union’s success depends on collaboration, communication and cooperation! Join fellow credit union and CUSO board of directors, board chairs, CEOs, and supervisory committee members for this informative conference.
Earn 10.8 CPE credits while attending this conference.
Conference Quick Links:
Registration & Hotel Information
Registration & Hotel Information
Conference Registration
Conference Registration
We offer an excellent educational return on your conference investment. Register early for the best conference rates!
On or Before October 9, 2025: $1395
October 10, 2025 – November 6, 2025: $1445
November 7, 2025 and Beyond: $1495
Guest Program: $245
Guest Program
Guest Program
Our guest program enables your registered guest(s) to join you during the following conference events: ($245 additional per guest)
Thursday's Welcome Reception
Friday's Breakfast
Friday's Sit-Down Lunch
Saturday's Breakfast
Hotel Reservation
Hotel Reservation
Call The TradeWinds Island Grand Resort at (800) 808 - 9833. Be sure to mention CU Conference's Code CUSO2025 to receive rates starting at $243.
Rates are based on availability. If you are unable to book a room, call CU Conferences at 888-465-6010 for assistance.
Airport and Ground Transportation
Airport and Ground Transportation
Tampa International Airport (TPA) and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) are both 40 minutes from the Tradewinds Island Grand Resort
Bats Taxi is approx. $54 from the airport to the hotel
**All rates listed are subject to change and are estimates. Please check rates with the ground transportation taxi and shuttle booth prior to departure.
Weather
Weather
The weather in St. Petersburg during the month of December is generally warm. The average temperature reaches a high of about 73° during the day and 58° in the evenings.
Speaker Information
Speaker Information
Jennie Boden, CEO
Quantum Governance, L3C
John Dearing, Partner
Capstone
Brian Hague, CFA, Strategy, Risk & Assurance Partner, Rochdale
Kirk Kordeleski, Executive Benefit Consultant
PARC Street Partners
Chris Otey, Founder and CRO
CU 2.0
Stay Tuned for Additional Speaker Information...
Conference Agenda
Conference Agenda
The Annual CUSO Conference is full of timely sessions packed with fresh ideas and innovative solutions to the issues facing today’s credit unions.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Thursday, December 11, 2025
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Conference Registration
Conference Registration
1:00 – 1:15 p.m.
1:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Opening Remarks
Opening Remarks
1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
What Every Board Member Needs to Know About CUSOs
What Every Board Member Needs to Know About CUSOs
John Dearing
Partner
Capstone
Understand the fundamentals of CUSOs and why they matter to your credit union’s strategy.
Learn how to embed CUSOs into your strategic planning and growth initiatives.
Equip yourself to evaluate CUSO opportunities with confidence and strategic clarity.
2:15 – 2:30 p.m.
2:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Networking and Refreshment Break
Networking and Refreshment Break
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Building the CUSO Board of the Future: Board Recruitment and Nominations Aligned with Strategic Vision
Building the CUSO Board of the Future: Board Recruitment and Nominations Aligned with Strategic Vision
Jennie Boden
CEO
Quantum Governance, L3C
This session will focus on the critical aspects of board succession, recruitment and nominations, essential for maintaining strong governance and leadership continuity within a CUSO. The presentation and discussions will cover key strategies for effective board succession planning, the role of governance and nominating committees and the importance of aligning board competencies with the CUSO’s strategic goals. Attendees will gain insights into creating a robust succession plan that supports the long-term success and stability of their CUSOs. Discover the steps you can take to use a board member succession plan as an opportunity to bolster your CUSO’s growth with the right leadership talent for the future.
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Daily Wrap Up
Daily Wrap Up
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. (GP)
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. (GP)
Welcome Reception
Welcome Reception
Join us for cocktails, light dining, and great conversation. Registered guests are welcome to attend.
CU Conferences is grateful for the support of its sponsor, PARC Street Partners, and would like to thank them for co-sponsoring the reception.
Friday, December 12, 2025
Friday, December 12, 2025
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. (GP)
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. (GP)
Breakfast
Breakfast
Join us for a hearty breakfast. Registered guests are welcome to attend.
9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Opening Remarks
9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
CUSOs: Leading the Credit Union Evolution
CUSOs: Leading the Credit Union Evolution
John Dearing
Partner
Capstone
Gain insights into trends shaping the CUSO landscape.
Discover how CUSOs are powering credit union growth.
Learn how forward-thinking credit unions leverage CUSOs to enter new markets, drive efficiency, and enhance member value.
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Networking and Refreshment Break
Networking and Refreshment Break
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Re-imagining the Credit Union as an App and the Role of CUSOs
Re-imagining the Credit Union as an App and the Role of CUSOs
Brian Hague, CFA
Strategy, Risk & Assurance Partner
Rochdale
This session will set the stage for why the existing credit union model might lead to stagnation, and explore how technology is re-shaping businesses across a broad spectrum of products and services. Then, we’ll explore the possibility of re-imagining the credit union as an app, and our members as users. We’ll look at how CUSOs can play an integral part in that strategic shift, and how credit unions can collaboratively deploy CUSOs across a network of “credit unions-as-apps.”
11:35 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
11:35 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
Forming a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO)
Forming a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO)
Chris Otey
Founder and CRO
CU 2.0
This session will walk board members through the key steps of forming a Credit Union Service Organization, including strategic rationale, legal structure, NCUA requirements, and governance models. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how CUSOs can drive collaboration, innovation, and long-term value for their credit union and members.
12:35 – 1:35 p.m. (GP)
12:35 – 1:35 p.m. (GP)
Group Luncheon
Group Luncheon
Join us for lunch. Registered guests are welcome to attend.
1:35 – 2:35 p.m.
1:35 – 2:35 p.m.
Topic TBD
Topic TBD
Kirk Kordeleski
Executive Benefit Consultant
PARC Street Partners
2:35– 3:20 p.m.
2:35– 3:20 p.m.
How to Have Better (More Strategic) Board Meetings
Jennie Boden
CEO
Quantum Governance, L3C
Effective board meetings are the cornerstone of strong governance, informed decision-making, and CUSO success. This session will feature best practices to help you transform your board meetings from routine discussions into high-impact strategic sessions. You’ll learn to set and communicate clear objectives and agendas that drive meaningful conversations and enhance board engagement and decision-making. We’ll discuss facilitation skills that foster collaboration and alignment among board members and we’ll talk about streamlining meeting processes for maximum efficiency. Whether you're a board member or executive you'll learn how to lead and participate in board meetings that are focused, productive, and aligned with your CUSO's strategic goals.
3:20 – 3:30 p.m.
3:20 – 3:30 p.m.
Daily Wrap-Up
Daily Wrap-Up
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Saturday, December 13, 2025
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. (GP)
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. (GP)
Breakfast
Breakfast
Join us for a hearty breakfast. Registered guests are welcome to attend.
9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Opening Remarks
9:05 – 10:15 a.m.
9:05 – 10:15 a.m.
CUSO Risk Management: Assuring Your Objectives are Met and Your Owners Remain Confident
CUSO Risk Management: Assuring Your Objectives are Met and Your Owners Remain Confident
Brian Hague, CFA
Strategy, Risk & Assurance Partner
Rochdale
In this session, we’ll first understand that CUSOs are not credit unions. Then Brian will draw on 15 years of experience as CEO of one of the leading credit union broker/dealers and registered investment advisors, and more than ten years of experience as a senior strategist with one of the leading credit union risk management consulting and software firms.
At a high level, we’ll look at how the performance metrics of a CUSO may differ markedly from those of a credit union, and the importance of understanding the metrics that drive CUSO performance. We’ll also consider how a CUSO can provide a natural countercyclical hedge against credit union performance. Finally, we’ll talk about some of the CUSOs Mr. Hague has encountered through working with many credit union clients across the U.S.
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Networking and Refreshment Break
Networking and Refreshment Break
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Investing in a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO)
Investing in a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO)
Chris Otey
Founder and CRO
CU 2.0
This presentation will explore the strategic and financial considerations of investing in a CUSO, including due diligence, risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and return on investment. Attendees will learn how CUSO investments can diversify income streams, enhance service offerings, and support cooperative growth.
11:30 – 11:45 p.m.
11:30 – 11:45 p.m.
Conference Wrap-Up
Conference Wrap-Up
Take the Afternoon & Evening to Enjoy the Sites,
Sounds & Flavors of St. Petersburg!
Take the Afternoon & Evening to Enjoy the Sites,
Sounds & Flavors of St. Petersburg!
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Travel Day - Have a Safe Trip Home!
Travel Day - Have a Safe Trip Home!
Register Early & Save!
Register Early & Save!
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