Despite the big rise in airline fares, conference attendance appears headed for an uptick this spring with both CUNA and NAFCU projecting gains for their major conclaves following acceptable turnouts at more recent events including CUNA’s Washington Government Affairs Conference.
Indeed, NAFCU said it has witnessed a surge in advance registration for its 30th annual Volunteers Conference May 18-20 in Savannah, Ga., an apparent reflection of new regulatory scrutiny on director financial literacy and oversight roles.
“Already we have double the number of delegates from the same time last year,” said a NAFCU spokesman, noting also that registrations are up more than 28% for NAFCU’s annual San Francisco convention in June.
CUNA, too, said it is expecting a higher turnout for America’s Credit Union Conference & Expo June 19-22 in San Antonio. That event typically draws about 1,500-1,600 attendees with formal registration opening this month.
CUNA said it drew just over 4,000–about 130 more than last year–for its February GAC conclave.
“I think strong interest in the debit interchange issue, a recognition that we needed to educate all the new freshmen in Congress about credit unions, and an improving economy all helped us with GAC attendance this year,” said Mark Wolff, senior vice president of communications.
CUNA said its four-day San Antonio conference will stress “growth and performance,” giving CU leaders new guidance in how “to operate at peak levels” during a time of financial stress and tension.
