WASHINGTON – CUNA's Governmental Affairs Conference kicked offMonday, attracting nearly 5,000 credit union executives, vendorsand family members, the trade association said.

Click through to see photos of the day's activities.

Powerful Cause,Positive Effect was this year's GAC theme.

Rev. Mark Brentley opened the morning session with aprayer.

Attendees recited thePledge of Allegiance during the opening session.

Credit union executives represented Texas during the openingsession's parade of states.

Minnesota was also wellrepresented in the parade of states.

Performers played the nationalanthem.

Credit union representatives preparedto present their state flags during the parade of states.

CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle'sopening speech fired up attendees. He and his wife, Karen,demonstrated how to create 15-second videos to support CUNA's new#CUdifferent social media campaign.

NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz encouragedcredit unions to pursue low-income credit union and communitydevelopment financial institution designations.

CUNA's Bill Hampel took the stage topresent the 2016 Member Benefits Performance Award for deliveringdirect financial benefits to member households.

Lisa Bodell, futureist and founder/CEOof the innovation research and training firm futurethink, urgedattendees to foster a culture of innovation.