The 2020 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) kicked off Sunday with several exciting events:

• CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle welcomed 60 young credit union professionals to the conference. The young professionals were selected by The Cooperative Trust to "Crash the GAC." During his welcome, Nussle thanked the young credit union leaders for their passion and fielded questions from the group.
• Nussle also welcomed a record 895 first-time attendees to the conference. He encouraged the group to share unique stories of how their credit unions change members' lives and advance the communities they serve. 
• Attendees listened to panelists share their stories of successful programs their credit unions have rolled out during the Small Credit Union Roundtable. The success stories included offering mortgages, serving Hispanics, increasing member engagement, and serving the underserved.
• Photographer Platon shared stories of being in the same room as some of the most recognizable people who have ever lived during his ED (Filene) Talk. "I've seen power up close and personal, but I haven't seen the magic ingredient to being a good person or a good leader in most of these people," he said. "I think that a great member of society has to think of themselves as a servant of people in order to make things better."
• The exhibit hall grand opening took place with an expo preview and reception. 

The GAC will get into full swing Monday, highlighted by a message of the great work credit unions do in their local communities:

• Nussle will take the stage to open the day. He will urge attendees to tell their stories of advancing communities and empowering financial well-being, highlighting advocacy and awareness as ways to promote the great work credit unions do locally. Video of Nussle’s address will be streamed live on CUNA’s Facebook page.
• Author and consultant Marcus Buckingham will give Monday’s keynote address, with a message about how focusing on our strengths and managing around our weaknesses is the key to success in business and life. Organizations should characterize people by who they are rather than what they lack, Buckingham says.
• Also on the main stage, National Credit Union Foundation Executive Director Gigi Hyland will describe how credit unions can meet members wherever they are in their financial lives to help them forge a path to a brighter future.
• In the exhibit hall, several providers will showcase their products and services during an always-exciting session of lightning rounds. Visit Booth 443 to get your photo on the cover of Credit Union Magazine, sponsored by CUNA Mutual Group. Or be a guest on the CUNA News Podcast, sponsored by Symitar.
• Breakout session topics include on Monday include:
  • Economic update;
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion;
  • Advancing communities through the credit union difference;
  • Globalization of the credit union regulation; and
  • Google Pay 101

Read more conference coverage from CUNA News, and get live updates on Twitter via @CUNA_News, @cumagazine, @CUNA, and by using the #CUNAGAC hashtag. You can also follow the conference on Facebook and Instagram. For a complete schedule and information on keynote speakers and breakout sessions, visit the CUNA GAC event page.