The 2026 Credit Union Conference Where Leaders Spark Growth & Innovation

The Best Credit Union Conference in 2026. Register Today!

Early Registration Discounts End Soon:

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Real Dialogue. Real Strategies. A Credit Union Conference That Delivers

The 2026 CU Growth & Innovation Summit is the credit union conference where leaders come to participate, not just listen.

Designed exclusively for credit union executives, technology leaders, and strategic partners, this standout among credit union events replaces traditional presentations with peer-driven dialogue. The agenda is built around interactive sessions and expert-led panels where today’s challenges are unpacked and tomorrow’s strategies are exchanged.

You won’t find boring presentations here. Instead, you’ll engage in dynamic, solutions-focused conversations around growth, digital transformation, and member-centric innovation tailored to credit unions of every size. Whether you’re modernizing your tech stack, reimagining member experiences, or expanding your service model, you’ll leave with actionable insights and a powerful network to support your next strategic move.

credit union conference 2026 panel discussion session
credit union conference 2026 peer-to-peer session

Featured Speakers

Chief Lending Officer Great Lakes Credit Union

Fred Campobasso

Chief Lending Officer
Great Lakes Credit Union

Nathan Grossenbach, CEO of Shoreline Credit Union

Nathan Grossenbach

CEO
Shoreline Credit Union

Aanand Kapadia CUGI Speaker

Aanand Kapadia

Head of Digital Banking Transformation
PenFed Credit Union

Cris Mattoon, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer at Michigan First Credit Union

Cris Mattoon

Chief Risk &
Compliance Officer
Michigan First
Credit Union

Chief Experience Officer at Missouri Central Credit Union

Matt Monge

Chief Experience Officer
Missouri Central
Credit Union

Elizabeth Osborne

Chief Operations Officer
Great Lakes Credit Union

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Jason M. Osterhage

President and CEO
Everwise Credit Union

Deena Otto, SVP/Chief Operating Officer at Stanford FCU

Deena Otto

Chief Operating Officer
Stanford FCU

Jason Tilley Chief Information Officer at 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union

Jason Tilley

Chief Information Officer
1st Advantage FCU

Christine West

Senior Managing Partner
Info-Tech

Key Topics on the 2026 Conference Agenda

Strategic Conversations That Are Reshaping the Credit Union Landscape

Creating Frictionless Member Journeys

Hear real-world strategies for building unified experiences across digital, branch, and call center channels that strengthen loyalty and retention.

Lending Analytics that Drive Growth

Explore how leading CUs are using data to uncover new lending opportunities, assess performance, and refine credit strategies in real time.

Staying Ahead of Regulation Risk

Learn how forward-looking compliance teams are managing regulatory complexity and preparing for new examiner scrutiny and enforcement trends.

M&A Trends: Growth or Identity Risk?

Engage in high-level conversations during a private networking reception and formal meal.

Lending in a Risk-Averse Economy

Examine what’s working in consumer and business lending today, with a focus on sustainable growth and portfolio performance.

Redefining the CU Value Proposition

Discover how credit unions are evolving their brands and positioning to stay relevant and competitive in the financial landscape of 2026.

Scaling Business Banking Effectively

Understand how mergers are reshaping the CU space—and how to navigate cultural fit, brand preservation, and long-term strategic alignment.

AI 2.0: From Automation to Insight

Learn how credit unions are moving beyond simple automation to use AI for predictive insights and member engagement at scale.

Event Registration Information

What's Include with Registration

Admission on February 9th - 11th
Zero Boring Presentations
Opening Reception with Refreshments and Appetizers
Scheduled Networking Events with Refreshments
Keynote Panel Discussions
Peer-to-Peer Executive Roundtables
Admission to the CUGI Award Ceremony
Exhibit Hall with Leading Solution Providers
Earn Continuing Education Credits
Access to the Work & Networking Lounge
Lunch Buffet on February 11th
Use of the CUGI Event App
Onsite Help Desk & Staff Support
Coffee all day!
...and more!

Small Credit Union Practitioner

Less Than $100 Million T.A.
$595
$ 495
  • No Risk Registration
  • Fully Refundable Until December 1, 2025
Early Bird

Credit Union Practitioner

More than $100 Million T.A.
$745
$ 595
  • No Risk Registration
  • Fully Refundable Until December 1, 2025
Early Bird

Solution Provider / Vendor

Organizations that Sell to CUs
$1295
$ 1,095
  • No Risk Registration
  • Fully Refundable Until December 1, 2025
Early Bird

Non-Profit / Government

Special Discounted Rate
$ 595
  • No Risk Registration
  • Fully Refundable Until December 1, 2025
Exclusive VIP dinner on February 10th featuring a private cocktail hour and formal seated dinner with fellow senior executives, speakers and sponsors
VIP badge & printed briefing pack which includes a VIP ribbon, a printed agenda, WiFi login instructions and more
Complimentary Conference WiFi
Access to the VIP lounge, a private space stocked with refreshments and snacks throughout the day
Early on-site registration on February 9th
Reserved seating in the front rows for all keynote and general sessions
Pre-event VIP orientation Zoom meeting to answer any event questions

A Credit Union Conference Worth Talking About...

Michael Ogden
Michael Ogden
Editor-in-Chief - Credit Union Times
It’s always so great to get out and speak with dedicated & extremely smart credit union leaders. Thank you CU Growth & Innovation Summit for having me join Meggan Schwirtz, Tim Boike, Ryan McEleney, Matt Monge, Jack Chawla, Jason Tilley, & Chase Larson for some deeply important conversations.
Matt Monge
Matt Monge
Chief Experience Officer, Missouri Central Credit Union
Not every conference earns a permanent spot in my notebook. This one did. The conversations at CU Growth and Innovation were the kind that actually move our industry forward. Honest, ambitious, and grounded. Every session felt like a real conversation with people who live this work every day. It was credit union leaders rolling up their sleeves and talking through the hard stuff together. The CU Growth and Innovation Summit was designed for dialogue and it delivered.
Meggan Schwirtz
Meggan Schwirtz
Chief Experience Officer - St. Cloud Financial Credit Union
A great first day at the CU Growth & Innovation Summit in Illinois! A great panel to end the day on AI & Automation in Lending led by Michael F Abernathy, Jr., Jason Tilley, Jack Chawla, and St. Cloud Financial Credit Union’s very own CLO Chase Larson. Thank you to all the vendors and sponsors for being here! Appreciate all the conversations I’ve had so far, and looking forward to tomorrow!
Ryan McEleney
Ryan McEleney
Chief People & Culture Officer - American Eagle Financial Credit Union
Headed home from the inaugural CU Growth & Innovation Summit with… 💡 Deepened perspective in key areas ⏭️ Actionable practices for AEFCU ❤️ More confidence that the CU Movement is in good hands given the brilliant, passionate, and talented leaders I met - including fellow panelists Jack Chawla, Matt Monge, Meggan Schwirtz, and Michael Ogden.
Karla Fernandez Parker
Karla Fernandez Parker
Managing Director - Sensis
Great insights at the 2025 Credit Union Growth & Innovation Summit in Chicago. Really like the format of break out sessions vs. PowerPoint talks! Tackling depth of training frontline staff on financial wellness, small business credit score mentorship programs, and appealing to Gen Z as the new customer base.
Hours of Strategic Networking
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Interactive Sessions
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Time Well Spent

Every Session Designed for Impact

0 Hours of Boring Presentations

Every session is built for engagement – no lectures or sales pitches, just strategic conversations.

8+ Hours of Peer-to-Peer Strategy Sessions

Engage in authentic, unscripted discussions on lending, AI, compliance, and growth — no slides, just solutions.

4.5+ Hours of Expert-Led Panel Discussions

Gain a competitive edge from curated panels tackling today’s most pressing challenges.

5+ Hours of Strategic Networking

Connect through curated experiences designed for high-impact, strategic networking.

12+ Hours of Exhibit Hall Access to Discover New Solution Providers

Explore cutting-edge solutions from leading technology providers and trusted innovation partners.

3+ Hours of VIP-Only Dialogue & Dining

Engage in high-level conversations during a private networking reception and formal meal.

Recognizing Credit Union Industry Excellence!

The 2026 CU Growth & Innovation Awards

Now Accepting Nominations

The CU Growth & Innovation Awards honor credit unions redefining member experience, digital strategy, and sustainable growth. Nominate your organization for one of two prestigious awards:

Winning a CU Growth & Innovation Award highlights your credit union’s leadership in transformation, strategy, and innovation. It’s a high-impact platform for visibility, recognition, and executive-level connections. Winners will receive:

Nominations close December 5, 2025.

Connect. Engage. Learn.

Great Executive Networking

Great Executive Networking

Connect with credit union leaders, innovators, and solution providers through curated networking events designed to spark collaboration, deepen industry relationships, and inspire growth-focused conversations.

Industry Panel Discussions

Industry Panel Discussions

Engage in expert-led panel discussions where industry pioneers share strategic insights, real-world case studies, and forward-thinking solutions to the most pressing challenges in the credit union space.

Expert Led Conversations

Expert Led Conversations

Participate in interactive peer-to-peer sessions that foster candid, executive-level conversations around shared challenges, bold ideas, innovative strategies, and practical solutions tailored to sustainable credit union growth.

The CU Growth & Innovation Summit Red Carpet

Jack Chawla and Connor Tollus on red carpet at CU Growth Summit
Meggan Schwirtz and Kacy Cutler at CU Summit red carpet
Corey Gabler on the CU Growth & Innovation Summit Red Carpet

No Boring Presentations. Only Meaningful Conversations

Latest Event News

TFL Tech Inc. Named Gold Sponsor of the 2026 CU Growth & Innovation Summit
  • October 28, 2025

TFL Tech Inc. Named Gold Sponsor of the 2026 CU Growth & Innovation Summit

We are excited to welcome TFL Tech Inc. as a Gold Sponsor of the 2026 CU Growth & Innovation Summit, taking place February 9–11, 2026, in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Info-Tech’s Christine West Joins CU Growth & Innovation to Share Strategic Insights
  • October 22, 2025

Info-Tech’s Christine West Joins CU Growth & Innovation to Share Strategic Insights

The CU Growth & Innovation Summit is proud to welcome Christine West, Senior Managing Partner, Financial & Professional Services at Info-Tech, as a distinguished panelist for the 2026 conference

Technology Executive Jason Tilley Joins the CUGI 2026 Panelist Roster
  • October 16, 2025

Technology Executive Jason Tilley Joins the CUGI 2026 Panelist Roster

Converge Events is very excited to announce that Jason Tilley, Chief Information Officer at 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union, will speak at the 2026 CU Growth & Innovation Summit (CUGI) as a featured panelist in the session titled “Reinventing the Credit Union Value Proposition in 2026.”

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners!

GOLD SPONSORS

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STRATEGIC ALLIANCE SPONSOR

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The CU Growth & Innovation Summit

  • Date

    February 9th - 11th, 2026

  • Venue

    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago - Oak Brook
    1909 Spring Road
    Oak Brook, IL 60523

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