In a novel approach to conferencing, the $1 billion FORUM Credit Union of Indianapolis said its annual "Symposium" seminar, a popular event among Midwest CUs for examining industry trends, is undergoing a low-cost remake allowing attendees to pick speakers and the agenda.

But FORUM officials warned that the Oct. 7-8 event, which has been on CU calendars for five years, may be scrapped if the credit union "cannot break even" without financial help from the attendees though advance bookings and sponsorships.

"For those of you that have attended you have consistently told us that you want the event to live on," said a FORUM notice citing the CU's subsidizing the cost of past symposiums. "We love this event, but we have to break even and to do that we need 150 people to pledge to attend at $225 each, plus 10 sponsorships at $500 a piece."

Since FORUM has sought to host a symposium "catered to you and taken your feedback seriously" it is offering attendees a chance to "make it happen" on their own by submitting "video auditions for the speaker spots and determining the agenda."

"Can't afford the registration cost? Then submit a video and get voted onto the agenda," suggested the FORUM notice which is utilizing what is called the "crowdsourcing" concept used by other industries.

FORUM officials stressed their intent has never been to make money on the symposium held in Fishers, Ind., the CU headquarters, but with marketing budgets slashed, it could no longer bear the hosting expense alone.