Director's Guide to Redefining the Future of Credit Unions
September 18 - 21, 2025 | The Westin San Diego Bayview | San Diego, California
Attending this conference provides credit union board of directors, board chairs, supervisory committee members, CEOs, senior management, committee members, branch managers & other credit union leaders from across the country with valuable insights and practical strategies from credit union leaders on critical topics like leadership, succession planning, and digital initiatives. The sessions are designed to equip attendees with the knowledge needed to drive their credit unions toward success and navigate the evolving financial landscape. Additionally, the conference offers excellent networking opportunities, allowing you to connect, share experiences, and build relationships that foster innovative solutions and new perspectives.
Earn 8.4 CPE credits while attending this conference.
Conference Quick Links:
Registration & Hotel Information
Conference Registration
We offer an excellent educational return on your conference investment. Register early for best rates.
On or Before July 17, 2025: $1395
July 18, 2025 – August 14, 2025: $1445
August 15, 2025, and Beyond: $1495
Guest Program: $299
Guest Program
Our guest program enables your registered guest(s) to join you during the following conference events: ($299 additional per guest)
Thursday's Welcome Reception
Friday's Breakfast
Friday's Luncheon
Saturday's Breakfast
Hotel Reservation
Book your room online or call The Westin San Diego Bayview at (888) 627-9033. Be sure to mention CU Conferences to receive rates starting at $269.
Daily resort fee of $25, waived when you book your room, through CU Conferences' Block.
**Valet Parking: $56 per day
Rates are based on availability. If you are unable to book a room, call Karen at 888-465-6010 for assistance.
**Subject to change
Airport and Ground Transportation*
San Diego Airport (SAN) is approximately 2 miles from The Westin San Diego Bayview located at 1051 Columbia Street, San Diego, California, 92101.
To request a complimentary shuttle, call the hotel at 619-239-4500. ***Please wait to call the hotel until you have retrieved your luggage. Shuttle runs from 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Valet parking is $56 per day
*All rates listed are estimates and subject to change – please check current rates with transportation providers
***Times subject to change
Weather
The weather in San Diego during the month of September is beautiful. The average temperature reaches a high of about 77° during the day and 66° in the evenings.
The Westin San Diego Bayview
Speaker Information
Sundeep Kapur, Founder
Digital Credence
Stephen Lark, Senior VP
Corporate Development, Communications FCU
Conference Agenda
Schedule subject to change. Registered guests are welcome during these (GP) credit union conference events.
Thursday, September 18, 2025
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Conference Registration
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. (GP)
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, September 19, 2025
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 - 8:45 a.m.
Opening Remarks
8:45 – 9:45 a.m.
Leadership, Succession Planning, Board Impact, Board Accountability, Compensation
The board plays a critical role in driving the success of the credit union, a mission that carries significant responsibility. This session will explore strategies for leadership enablement and effective succession planning. We’ll engage in a candid discussion about the board's involvement in fostering accountability and delivering measurable impact. Additionally, we’ll address the vital topic of compensation at all levels, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry standards.
9:45 – 9:55 a.m.
Credit Union Compensation Philosophy: Rewarding & Retaining Key Executives
Parc Street Partners Representative
9:55 – 10:05 a.m.
Networking/Refreshment Break
10:05 – 11:05 a.m.
Charting the Future: Preparing for the Next 10 Years
Over the past five years, digital initiatives have accelerated at an unprecedented pace, and this evolution shows no signs of slowing down. As we look ahead, we must prepare for innovative (new) products, diverse access points (omni-channel), advanced outreach strategies (beyond regular marketing), secure transactions (cyber and real crime), and enhanced money movement solutions (real-time). This session will explore industry’s ongoing transformation as we collectively strive to promote financial wellness for the communities we serve.
11:05 – 12:05 p.m.
Turning Your Strategic Plan into a Functionally Dynamic Roadmap
A strategic plan serves as both a visionary guide and a practical roadmap to drive execution. Some forward-thinking credit unions have adopted long-term strategic plans complemented by shorter, agile sprints—dynamic frameworks that offer the flexibility to adapt and accelerate in a rapidly changing environment. This session will provide actionable guidelines to help you craft a strategic plan that positions your organization for sustained success.
12:05 – 1:05 p.m. (GP)
Sit-Down Luncheon
1:05 – 2:05 p.m.
Addressing Key Strains on Income
Credit unions face mounting challenges: competitive pressures, regulatory demands, rising infrastructure costs, interest rate risks and caps, declining interchange income, and fee income erosion—the list goes on. This session will focus on strategies to tackle these income strains and uncover new revenue streams that drive member acquisition, retention, and share-of-wallet. To thrive, our business must shift from a transactional approach to an advisory-focused model.
2:10 – 3:10 p.m.
Disaster Response Planning
Even the most well-thought-out plans cannot prevent unforeseen events from occurring. Disasters, by nature, are unpredictable, which is why proactive planning and effective response strategies are essential. This session will delve into real-world lessons learned from 'disastrous' events—such as breaches, fraud, arson, and negative publicity. We'll explore what to do, what to avoid, and the critical timing of actions to ensure a resilient and effective disaster response.
3:10– 3:30 p.m.
The Day in Review
Saturday, September 20, 2025
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.
Opening Remarks
8:45 – 9:45 a.m.
What Happens in the Boardroom
Insightful discussions happen across boardrooms, from large financial institutions to small ones, from paid boards to volunteer-led ones. Topics range from strategy and mentorship to the evaluation of tactics. This session will explore lessons we can apply to make our own boardroom conversations more impactful, uncensored, unfiltered, and filled with truly powerful ideas.
9:45 – 10:00 a.m.
Networking and Refreshment Break
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
What Keeps Us Up at Night
Today’s consumers expect more than ever, pushing us to meet rising demands while navigating significant challenges. Challenges from economic pressures and resource constraints to money movement, cybercrime, infrastructure, and the growing need for personalization.
Join us ready to share your challenges as we work together to brainstorm solutions and strategies for success