As a first-time attendee at the ACUARP Insight Summit, I walked away thoroughly impressed. From start to finish, the event struck a thoughtful balance between deep professional value and a fun, collegial atmosphere that made it easy to engage, connect, and learn.
While I didn’t participate in the one-day seminar that kicked off the week, I spoke with several attendees who cited it as a primary reason for making the trip. The seminar offered an opportunity to earn an additional credit toward CCUIA certification, earning one through the seminar and a second through the conference itself.
The conference featured a consistently strong speaker lineup. From keynotes to breakout discussions, ACUARP assembled presenters who were not only subject matter experts but also engaging communicators. Amanda Wick brought a timely, high-level perspective on cryptocurrency regulation. Larry Dunn’s session went beyond entertainment and his role as an on-air XM radio personality to share meaningful insights from his experience as a credit union director of sales and membership, including impactful work in financial literacy.
Hearing from leaders like Caroline Willard and Renee Sattiewhite added valuable depth and perspective on credit union advocacy, industry leadership, and the continued importance of DEI across the movement. Industry veteran Samantha Paxon offered a forward-thinking session that encouraged intentionality around innovation and member engagement, while Theresa Mason provided helpful insights into share insurance and the availability of excess coverage.
The energy throughout the Insight Summit was elevated by Todd Newton, whose charisma and humor carried through the event, from his gameshow host role during the ACUARP Feud to energizing transitions and general sessions throughout the week. His ability to connect with the audience brought both laughter and momentum to the program.
Networking was another clear highlight of the conference. I repeatedly heard from attendees how valuable it was to connect with peers who work specifically in internal audit and risk, especially since many don’t have the chance to openly discuss what they’re seeing with colleagues at their own credit unions. Whether in hallways between sessions, over lunch, or during dinner at the Alamo, these connections felt both natural and meaningful.
Breakout sessions covered a lot of ground, from auditing AI tools and managing climate stress testing to enhancing supervisory committee engagement and navigating fintech partnerships. The content was diverse and relevant, with each track offering something new to consider. It was clear the agenda was curated by professionals who understand what today’s internal audit and risk leaders need most.
As part of the conference, I had the opportunity to join Tony Ferris, CEO of Rochdale, on the general session stage during the opening morning. Our conversation focused on how credit union leaders can better align their product sets with organizational strategy to support long-term goals and meet evolving member needs. We also discussed the role of emerging technologies, AI, and fintech, emphasizing the importance of analytics-driven decision-making along with the need for rigorous evaluation and oversight of both new initiatives and existing offerings.
In the exhibitor gallery, more than 20 participating companies helped round out the learning experience with practical tools, demos, and meaningful engagements that sparked ideas and relationships. While the exhibiting companies were all in or adjacent to the areas of risk, compliance, and internal audit, there was impressive diversity in their offerings, and the depth of solutions and conversations led to valuable insights for both myself and other attendees.
All told, the ACUARP Annual Conference delivered far more than I expected. It was educational, engaging, and truly enjoyable. Thanks to Geoff Bacino and the conference team for the hospitality and the opportunity to be a part of it!
