The NCUA training conference in Jacksonville, Fla., cost $1.9million, about $175,000 less than originally budgeted, the agencyannounced on May 21.

Travel was the most expensive category at $672,650 followed bylodging at $522,070. The agency said it paid $83 per night at theHyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.

The total cost of the “Pathway to the Future” National TrainingConference, held April 28 through May 9, was $1,911,267.

There were more than 1,200 participants at the event, which camein $176,133 below budget. The NCUA said the conference cost$512,945 less than the 2012 event.

“Providing the credit union system with well-prepared andknowledgeable examiners is essential to protecting safety andsoundness,” NCUA Executive Director Mark Treichel said. “The kindof professional development that takes place at the NationalTraining Conference makes the examination process operate moreefficiently and provides greater consistency.”

The main sessions were focused on supervisory committee audits,administrative actions, ethics, technology tools and professionaldevelopment. The breakout sessions touched upon topics such asliquidity, interest rate risk as well as lending and compliancewith new mortgage rules.

During the conference, the NCUA provided upgraded the standardrequired government personal identification cards for staff. Theagency said doing the upgrades onsite has cut costs since staffdoes not have to travel to General Services Administration regionaloffices for the updates.