This year’s CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference will see more than 5,000 credit unions coming to the nation’s capital for another record-breaking year at the credit union industry’s largest event. The event kicks off Sunday with registration, and the general session starts at 4 p.m. (ET).

Registration will be open at the Washington Convention Center starting at noon (ET) Sunday. In addition to picking up badges and other conference materials, attendees are encouraged to download the official 2019 CUNA GAC app.

The app allows attendees to post updates from their activities, follow the schedule of general and breakout sessions and get information about speakers and vendors, as well as CUNA’s advocacy briefing documents, social media and hashtag information and maps of activity locations.

The app can be found in the Apple App Store or on Google Play by searching “CUNA GAC.”

Credit union leaders are also strongly encouraged to visit L Street to share how your credit union is making a difference. GAC attendees are encouraged to share stories on video about their lending making a difference in their communities.

Attendees can also learn more about CUNA’s Awareness initiative, which continues to build momentum each day. Visit the Awareness booth in the exhibit hall to learn how to get involved, get your photo taken and pick up an exclusive “Open Your Eyes to Credit Unions” button.

See the video below for CUNA Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donovan’s tips for attendees to make the most of their time at CUNA GAC

Once the conference is underway, the general session will feature keynote speakers such as  former Secretary of State John Kerry, author Malcolm Gladwell, mountaineer Alison Levine and former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.

CUNA leaders, including President/CEO Jim Nussle, Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donovan, Chief Political Officer Richard Gose and Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer for Political Action Trey Hawkins will give updates on credit union issues and lead discussions with policymakers.

Breakout sessions will cover topics such as diversity and inclusion; the current expected credit loss (CECL) standard; the new Congress; bank attacks; and the economy on Monday.

Tuesday’s sessions include the economic update; regulatory and litigation threats; how to take a bigger role in credit union advocacy; payments and cybersecurity; flood insurance; and a CEO roundtable.

For those in attendance looking for a way to give back, Fiserv is donating “away from home” kits containing toiletries such as shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, etc. Volunteers are needed to assemble the more than 3,000 kits.

Half of the kits will be donated to Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., the other half will be donated to the National Credit Union Foundation to be used in its disaster relief efforts.

The kits will be assembled on Monday and Tuesday of CUNA GAC next to the Fiserv booth (number 139) in the exhibit hall during breakfast and lunch. The assembly will continue until all kits are complete.

Additional information on the GAC giveback can be found on the GAC app, under the “More” tab, then by clicking “GAC Giveback.”

Complete coverage of CUNA GAC can be found at news.cuna.org/gac.