Prices to jump US$200 after 15 May
MADISON, WI (May 2, 2014) -- World Council of Credit Unions is offering a discounted early bird registration rate through 15 May to attend the 2014 World Credit Union Conference. Credit union professionals interested in joining industry leaders from around the globe to discuss and resolve the most pressing issues facing credit unions today can save US$200 by registering by this date.
"Credit unions today face many of the same challenges regardless of size or location," said Brian Branch, World Council president and CEO. "By bringing together a truly global representation of the credit union industry, our members and attendees can troubleshoot their own issues while elevating and responding to the cross platform issues affecting everyone."
For more than 20 years, the World Credit Union Conference has been the largest global networking and educational event of its kind, bringing together the world's top thought leaders in the industry. World Council and Australia's Customer Owned Banking Association will host the annual event 27–30 July 2014 in Gold Coast, Australia, an iconic tourist destination known for its metropolis and the world-renowned ‘Surfers Paradise' beach.
Attendees from over 50 countries will gather to learn, network and share effective strategies to address the top challenges facing credit unions worldwide, including regulatory compliance issues, rapidly evolving payment technologies, membership growth and the sustainability of small credit unions. In over 25 educational sessions, international speakers will focus on specific topics within the following separate education tracks that offer a variety of solutions to global industry challenges:
- Leadership and strategy: participants will learn about small credit union sustainability, good governance practices, strategies for growth, advancing women in leadership, and how to maximize financial performance.
- Advocacy and government affairs: the focus will be on global regulatory trends, challenges and responses, what Basel III means for credit unions, and revisions to the Financial Action Task Force's risk-based approach to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.
- Technology and innovation: lessons will be shared on technology and digital payments trends, innovation and collaboration, new entrants, risk management and fraud prevention.
- Young adult and membership growth: solutions will be explored on attracting young adult members, reinventing retail banking and connecting with different members of the community.
Bonus networking and other opportunities include:
- Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions' charity golf tournament: a fundraiser and networking event benefiting the Global Women's Leadership Network at the Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club on 26 July. Men and women will play to help alleviate poverty through the empowerment of women and advance credit union women around the world. Last year in Ottawa, Canada, more than US$112,000 was raised to support Global Women's Leadership Network scholarships and development programs.
- Global Women's Leadership Forum: the annual networking and educational gathering of the Global Women's Leadership Network on 26–27 July. Held in partnership with Australian Women in Mutuals (WIM), this all-day workshop will connect credit union women during an interactive leadership development session and will include a working luncheon and global dialogue over roundtable discussions. Participants will hear from keynote speaker Dr. Louise Mahler, a renowned expert on vocal intelligence. Forum registration includes access to an exclusive Networking Reception and the Network Lounge. In 2013, more than 100 female leaders from around the world participated in the Leadership Forum.
- World Council Young Credit Union People (WYCUP) program: a series of educational and networking events for credit union professionals age 40 and younger attending the conference on 26–30 July. This year WYCUP has partnered with the Australian Emerging Leaders initiative to showcase the phenomenal work young credit union leaders do around the world. It will include presentations on leadership, communication and conflict resolution from a variety of speakers including past WYCUP scholarship winners and the former Kenyan Ambassador to the U.S., Elkanah Odembo. A group of young credit union leaders from Australia, Canada and the U.S. will also share their perspectives during a conference panel session on practical outreach strategies to attract young adult members. The program will conclude with the annual awards ceremony, during which five deserving WYCUP scholarship winners age 35 and younger will be awarded an all-expense-paid trip to the 2015 World Credit Union Conference in Denver, Colorado, USA.
The conference schedule provides details on the current educational lineup including session descriptions, speakers and learner outcomes. More information about the event, including details on location, registration and unique sponsorship opportunities, can be found at www.GoldCoast2014.org.
World Council will share additional conference updates leading up to and throughout the event on Facebook and Twitter using #WCUC2014. Media passes can be obtained from Kristen Curnyn at kcurnyn@woccu.org.
World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.
World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 56,000 credit unions in 101 countries serve 200 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.