WASHINGTON — For its first Governmental Affairs Conference held at the Washington Convention Center, March 2-6, CUNA has lined up retired General Colin Powell and “Hardball” Host Chris Matthews to speak and the band America for entertainment.

“Our grand new venue at the Washington Convention Center is emblematic of the GAC's status as the premier national political conference for the credit union movement,” CUNA President and CEO Dan Mica stated. “The Convention Center opens up exciting new possibilities for us in the way we are designing the 2008 GAC. It will be the GAC everyone knows, only even better.”

Powell, a former U.S. Secretary of State and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will discuss leadership strategies while Matthews will provide his no-nonsense take on the 2008 political scene.

This year's GAC theme is a patriotic “Red, White and You” with a special Sunday night kick off concert by America of “Ventura Highway” and “Sister Gold Hair” fame.