WASHINGTON — Citing unparalleled opportunities to deliver a vigorous industry message before Congress, CUNA disclosed Tuesday it is "pulling out all the stops" to get a big turnout for its Government Affairs Conference in February.
"I can't imagine more credit union CEOs, volunteers and staff wanting to be in Washington for this extraordinary CUNA gathering that has taken on tremendous importance for every credit union in the U.S.," declared Dan Mica, CUNA's president/CEO making a media pitch for the annual GAC slated Feb. 22-26 at the Washington Convention Center.
Mica said the February conference has assumed heightened gravity for the industry considering the high stakes CUs can play in a now-altered financial landscape. In addition, the CUNA meeting comes as a significant shift has occurred in the makeup of the new Congress with a 10% increase in new senators and a 12-15% increase in freshman House members, said Mica.
"There are tremendous opportunities to network and educate lawmakers who we are, what we can do to help the economy and what are our priorities," said Mica suggesting that a large attendance will enforce the CU message.
Mica said he was unsure but hopeful that despite belt tightening and travel costs the GAC conference would top the 5,000 from 2007 noting, however, the trade group is running a heavy ad schedule "doing mailings, videos, using league publications–everything we can" to ensure a strong industry presence in February. "This is just too important," he said.
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