Conference Agenda

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The Director's Strategic and Credit Union Performance Conference is full of timely sessions packed with fresh ideas and innovative solutions to the issues facing today’s credit unions.

Monday, April 24, 2023

Schedule subject to change. Registered guests are welcome during these (GP) credit union conference events.

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Conference Registration

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (GP)

Welcome Reception

Enjoy cocktails, light dining & networking with your conference peers from across the country, their guests and “The Ones In Red.“ Registered guests are welcome to attend.

CU Conferences is grateful for the support of its sponsor, OM Financial, and would like to thank them for co-sponsoring the reception. Learn more about OM Financial.

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. (GP)

Sit-Down Breakfast

Join us for a hearty sit-down breakfast. Registered guests are welcome to attend.

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Opening Remarks

9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

New Technology is (Still) Coming: Is Your Credit Union Aware?

Taylor Wells, Experience Director, On The Mark Strategies

If there’s one absolute in life, it’s that change is a given. Dealing with change, especially in the realm of technology, is vitally important for credit unions as we look at completing the first quarter of the 21st century. While not all new financial technologies are practical or feasible for every credit union, every credit union must at least be aware of current key drivers.


This session will take somewhat of a prognosticator’s look at:

  • Financial Biometrics

  • Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)

  • AI Technology

  • Preparing for the Financial Technology Needs of Gen Z

10:15 – 10:30 a.m.

Networking/Refreshment Break

10:30 11:30 a.m.

Practical Tips to Transform Board Communication: How to Improve Communication in and out of the Boardroom

Deedee Myers, Founder/CEO, DDJ Myers

Communication is a crucial success factor in all facets of life, especially in the boardroom. Examining the cadence of communication and alignment of the board leads to enhanced strategic conversations, an expanded view of the possibilities for the credit union, and a higher-performing board.


In this session, Deedee Myers guides you through ways to transform from a teacup to a tiger board member.

11:35 – 12:35 p.m.

The Strategic Plan: Creating Effective Organizational Guidance

Tom Glatt, Jr., Principal/Strategy Consultant, Glatt Consulting Group, Inc.


Boards and management teams can sit in a room and create a "strategic plan," but unless that plan incorporates information about the credit union's business model, and factors in critical environmental and competitor intelligence, then the plan itself will be an uninformed and relatively useless document.


In this session, Tom Glatt will help deepen your understanding of the planning process, teaching you how to capture key insight about your internal and external environment, and how to leverage that insight for the creation of a truly "strategic" strategic plan.

12:35 – 1:35 p.m. (GP)

Group Luncheon

Join us for lunch. Registered guests are welcome to attend.

1:35 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.

Best Practices for Better Board Performance: Why Prioritizing Director Development is Critical Now

Deedee Myers, Founder/CEO, DDJ Myers

Director development plans should be more fact than fiction, yet often become an initiative the board always meant to get done until something else got in the way. Meaningful director development efforts positively impact an institution’s bottom-line financials and member value when they are enacted, not just a wish list. In this session, we’ll review case studies where board members fine-tuned their skills to elevate board performance in strategic thinking, conversations, and decisions. Industry expert Deedee Myers offers a pathway to building and executing a plan that creates a clearer purpose and contribution for board members.

2:40 3:40p.m.

Risk Predispositions: Identifying and Leveraging the Board's Risk Profile

Tom Glatt, Jr., Principal/Strategy Consultant, Glatt Consulting Group, Inc.


A board of directors has certain predispositions with respect to how it approaches and makes decisions involving risk. This predisposition is defined by the board's risk type and its risk aptitude, which are factors influenced by the risk predispositions of individual board members. A board composed of directors aware of their risk profiles will engage in more informed strategy and policy discussions, and make better decisions.


In this session, Tom Glatt will explore a concept called the Risk Type Compass, a tool your board can use to develop its risk profile awareness, and better leverage its profile type in carrying out its critical governance responsibilities.

3:40 4:00 P.m.

Daily Wrap Up

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. (GP)

Sit-Down Breakfast

Join us for a hearty sit-down breakfast. Registered guests are welcome to attend.

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Opening Remarks

9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

How to Navigate Merger Conversations as a Board Member: Key Questions Boards Should Ask About M& A Opportunities

Deedee Myers, Founder/CEO, DDJ Myers

When the CEO brings the idea of a merger to the board, what are the most important questions directors should ask to decide whether to continue the conversation? When should a board prepare a M&A strategy? What has the most influence on the merge/no merge decision, your gut reaction or data?


In this session, Deedee leads you through the intricacies of board conversations prior to signing the letter of intent.

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Networking/Refreshment Break

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Succession Readiness: Recruiting and Preparing Future Board Members

Tom Glatt, Jr., Principal/Strategy Consultant, Glatt Consulting Group, Inc.

Many credit union boards believe a myth that there are few people willing to serve as credit union volunteers. However, the latest trend data on volunteering in America shows that more than 25% of Americans volunteer. Credit unions that have a difficult time finding volunteers just aren't engaging in ways that attract the many thousands of credit union members across the country that want to serve.

In this session, Tom Glatt will share the underlying volunteer trends with you, and then take you through a concept called the Governance Development Funnel, a structure you can use to reach and engage your population of potential volunteers

11:35 12:35 p.m.

Say What!? Banks are Beating us in Consumer Satisfaction? - Part I

Taylor Wells, Experience Director, On The Mark Strategies

Say What!? Banks Are Beating Us In Consumer Satisfaction

For decades, credit unions comfortably prided themselves on consumer service and satisfaction as key differentiators over banks. Also for decades, credit unions enjoyed a healthy lead over banks in this arena. It’s time to stop being comfortable about this. In fact, credit unions have experienced declines in this key metric the last four years. A single year decline could (almost) be regarded as a one-off fluke. Four years is not a fluke – it is a (disturbing) pattern.


What can credit unions do to break this streak and regain consumer service and satisfaction superiority? This session will cover the following tactics:

  • Re-Focus on Brand and Values

  • Tactical Member Experience

  • In-Person vs. Digital

12:35 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.

Group Luncheon

Join us for lunch. Registered guests are welcome to attend

1:35 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.

Say What!? Banks are Beating us in Consumer Satisfaction? - Part II

Taylor Wells, Experience Director, On The Mark Strategies

Join Taylor after lunch for the continuation of his presentation.

  • Investing In Staff Retention and Training

  • Keeping Tabs On Your Metrics

  • Hyper-Personalization (Member Needs Trump Selling Products)

2:40 3:40 p.m.

Roundtable Discussion

As you can see from today’s conversations, there is a lot to consider when it comes to mergers and acquisitions. We’ll utilize this time to break into small groups and discuss those considerations with each other to help find real solutions you can bring back to your credit union.

3:40 4:00 p.m.

Conference Wrap-Up

Take the Afternoon & Evening to Enjoy the Sites, Sounds & Flavors of San Antonio!

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Travel Day. Have a safe trip home!