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LSCU’s annual credit union convention breaks records in Orlando

TALLAHASSEE, FL (June 21, 2022) — The League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates (LSCU & Affiliates) is excited to announce that the 2022 Southeast Credit Union Conference & Expo (SCUCE) had record-breaking numbers in Orlando, Florida last week. More than 1,000 people showed up for LSCU & Affiliates’ annual conference at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, which officially started on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. The LSCU Advocacy Team and the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation (SECUF) also had record-breaking numbers for their fundraising efforts.

“It was so great to see so many familiar faces at SCUCE 2022 and it’s incredible that we broke our SCUCE attendance record this year,” LSCU & Affiliates CEO Patrick La Pine exclaimed. “We are always grateful for time spent with people who truly exemplify the ‘People Helping People’ credit union philosophy. As always, our conversations lead us to better ways we can work together to advance the credit union movement across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and beyond.”

La Pine and Samantha Beeler, the new President of LSCU & Affiliates, led the Opening General Session for SCUCE on Thursday morning with a packed crowd of credit union leaders from across the globe. The two LSCU leaders updated attendees about the Association, the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation, legislative accomplishments, and much more.

“We are stoked about the legislative wins related to financial literacy in our three states,” Beeler shared with the crowd. “LSCU is truly leading the way to improve financial literacy for students in the Southeast. Florida kicked it all off by approving legislation that will require high school students to take a financial literacy course before graduation, Georgia followed suit by also passing similar requirements, and Alabama took notice by approving a resolution to also have legislation ready for next year’s session. We are proud to continue leading the charge in the Southeast.”

The LSCU Council Conference also launched for the first time ever on Tuesday, the day before SCUCE 2022 got started. The Council Conference is a two-year culmination of planning and launching eight different LSCU Councils (Accounting & Finance, CEO, Compliance, Lending, Marketing & Business Development, Operations & Member Experience, Payments, and Technology). The Councils provide credit union professionals with unique opportunities for networking, professional development, and information sharing. The inaugural LSCU Council Conference gave credit unions the ability to attend roundtable discussions and hear from relevant breakout session speakers.

On Wednesday morning, credit union CEOs, professionals, and vendors got to take in the beautiful Florida sunshine by competing in SECUF’s Charity Golf Tournament at Orange County National Golf Center. Also on Wednesday, the SCUCE Exhibit Hall opened its doors with dozens of vendor booths for attendees to check out and the LSCU Silent Auction opened for bidding, which benefits LSCU Political Action Committees. SCUCE ended the night with a “Casino Royale” themed charity casino night to raise money for SECUF.

Thursday morning, Retired Chick-fil-A Vice President of Marketing David Salyers gave a moving speech during the Opening General Session, where he discussed innovation, servant leadership, and how he and his marketing team came up with the restaurant chain’s famous Cow Advertising Campaign. For lunch, the LSCU Advocacy Team invited The Hill’s Editor-in-Chief Bob Cusack to speak about policy and politics, and how it all will affect credit unions in the years to come.

Thursday was another packed day full of breakout sessions, roundtable discussions, and more opportunities for credit unions to check out the products and services offered by vendors in the exhibit hall. LSCU also presented its annual awards ceremony, which represents the best of the best across credit unions and credit union professionals in the Southeast. The final night of SCUCE ended with the “Diamonds are Forever” Gala, a social dinner that also raised money for the League’s advocacy and charity efforts.

As with the record-breaking numbers of attendance, the LSCU advocacy team and SECUF also had their highest fundraising numbers ever for the annual event. Through the Advocacy Luncheon and the Silent Auction, the Advocacy Team raised nearly $45,000. SECUF took in more than $60,000 and had about 136 people who donated to the cause.

SCUCE 2023 is already penciled in and scheduled for June 14 – 16, 2022, at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. More information will be released in the months ahead. LSCU would like to thank everyone involved in making SCUCE 2022 a reality, including all attendees, employees, and sponsors.

About League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates (LSCU)

The League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates represents nearly 300 credit unions throughout Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. It has a combined total of almost $200 billion in assets and 12.4 million members. LSCU provides advocacy, compliance services, education and training, cooperative initiatives, and communications. For more information, visit www.lscu.coop. Follow LSCU on Facebook, LinkedIn,  and X.