In my roles over the years at Credit Union Times, I've attended 11 of the last 12 Governmental Affairs Conferences held by CUNA–forgive me a maternity leave. The event always attracts high-caliber members of Congress who are key connections for credit unions to develop. It also attracts the largest credit union crowd of any conference around, and Washington, D.C., isn't normally as pleasant in February and March as it has been this year.

Sitting down to write this column, I was thinking, as you may, "What good does it do to have congressmen and senators, who often know relatively little about credit unions specifically, come speak to the group?" How is it beneficial to credit unions to listen to members of Congress, particularly in an election year, spout off about their pet political projects or sometimes make campaign stump speeches?

Now CUNA's PR team and GAC organizers can breathe a sigh of relief because here's why it's crucial: Credit union executives are in Washington to build relationships. Many travel hundreds to thousands of miles to help demonstrate a strong front for the credit union community. You're putting your face in front of the Washington elite so they know you exist because, aside from putting thousands of voting constituents in front of them, you want something from them.