The Future is a blank canvas

It's Time to Paint Outside the Lines

2023 Convention

August 2-4, New Orleans

You’ve heard it before: credit unions need to embrace innovation. Now, innovation is everywhere. The industry has transitioned from embracement to implementation. If we want to stay relevant, it’s time to encourage and inspire the innovators. Those who are told to think outside the box, yet they simply don’t recall that the box ever existed.

At LCUL’s 2023 Convention, credit unions will have the opportunity to look at their future as a blank canvas. Will you stay aligned with the norm or will you color outside the lines? Either way, creativity starts HERE.

“Art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take risks.”

- Mark Rothko

Agenda

“An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.”

– James Whistler

Sessions

Opening Keynote

Liar Liar Pants on Fire!

The game “Two Truths and a Lie” is not fun when playing with your money and reputation, especially when you don’t even realize you’re playing! It turns out you’re playing the game every day with your members, boss, staff, business partners, & inner circle. Protect your hard-earned profits and catch would be fraudsters before they can act. Consider these situations:

• Is a most-trusted associate embezzling your credit union’s revenue?
• Is that job applicant being deceptive about experience costing you training time and money?
  
• Are your vendors overpromising or inflating their prices to scam you?
  

In this fast paced keynote, you’ll discover 9-point Fraud Spotting System to separate the lies from the truth so you don’t innocently step into a business, life or reputation destroying event.

Panel Discussion

Accelerating Loan Growth Through Fintech Partnerships

With fintechs attracting consumers due to their ease and convenience; it is really no surprise that credit unions are turning to fintech partners to help grow their loan portfolio. Additionally, fintech partnerships can help members save time, money and make better financial decisions without having to ramp up credit union staffing or expensive infrastructure. This will highlight unique perspectives from all sides of these successful and sustainable partnerships.

General Session

A Laugh at the Economy with the Bow-Tie Guy

During this entertaining and informative session, Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D., will provide a financial overview and outlook for the economic environment in which the banking industry operates. Elliot will share his thoughts on how all four parts of GDP will perform, what changes are in store for the currently very tight labor market, the path of inflation, the thinking of the Fed regarding inflation, the most likely path of interest rates, and the steadily rising likelihood of a recession. Dr. Eisenberg will also delve into auto, credit card, and home loan default rates, the shape of the yield curve, bank consolidation, net interest margin, the impact of the SVB default, and more. Time permitting Eisenberg will take questions from the audience.

Quick Session

Best Part of Leadership is Mastering the Art of Asking

Bad leaders tell; good leaders ask. A good leader must know how to ask the right questions at the right time and in the right way to achieve the right results. Through real-life examples and anecdotes Rory Rowland will reveal how asking practical questions are critical to effective leadership. Discover how to change your leadership language to achieve success.

Closing Keynote

Paint a Picture of the Future Using Colors of the Past

Masterpieces start in the imagination of the artist with their willingness to take that first step of adding a drop of paint to the canvas. With each brush stroke, the work changes and evolves. Jackson Pollock created whirlwinds of color by layering more paint and splashes atop what most would have considered a completed work. Bob Ross reframed so-called mistakes as “happy little accidents”, embracing the change to turn good into great!

The future success of the masterpiece of the credit union movement is inextricably linked to the mastery of change agility. Like the great masters of the arts, we too mut resist the temptation to simply bask in the light of yesterday’s accomplishments. With our members in mind, we have to continually ask “What comes next?”.

Fraud Body Language Expert

& Best Selling Author

“Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist.”

- Pablo Picasso

Breakouts

Six Conversations Every Board Should Have with their CEO

As a board, what are you doing to develop your CEO to their highest potential? This sessions discusses six conversations to have so that you’re all singing the same song from the same hymnal. Does your CEO know what’s expected of them? If not, learn how to set those expectations. Do you have plans in place to foster their CEO development? Do you have a workable evaluation that is relevant? Are rewards in place that even align with what your CEO wants? We’ll discuss these and more topics to positively change the board and CEO relationship to one that is productive and engaged.

Understand AI, What’s Changed & What’s Next for your Credit Union

AI is a hot topic in technology, science and even pop culture with its potential to revolutionize and improve daily life, but it also poses ethical, safety and employment challenges. In this jam-packed session Nick will explore what AI is, how it works, its current applications, limitations and impact. Plus we’ll also talk about research groups like OpenAI that are dedicated to mitigating negative consequences. Sidenote: this description was not written by a person. It was generated by an AI language model called GPT-3 following simple prompts.

Six Fatal Coaching Errors of Managers and How to Overcome Them

There’s many schools of thought regarding managing people and some of them will lead to nothing but chaos and disgruntled staff due to a lack of clear expectations and outcome. In this session Rory will help you conquer the communication gap and overcome lack of accountability. Put an end to spoon feeding solutions to those you’re coaching. Instead adopt a divide and conquer strategy as an easier way to approach coaching. Listen for clarity and speak for precision – leaving no room for misunderstanding.

Data Power: How Analytics Help You Better Serve Your Membership

When it comes to data, even reviewing the basics can make a huge difference! Peer Express – Callahan’s user-friendly data benchmarking tool – is a tool that is part of your Louisiana League membership. This session shows how Louisiana credit unions are performing across a range of key metrics. Then we’ll show how to utilize it to develop customized, data-driven strategies to improve performance in balance sheet management, operations, member service, and more! This session is designed for credit unions of any size.

Speaking the Member’s Language in a Digital World

What can we learn from unicorns, dragons and centaurs? In this session, those mythical creatures represent banking fintechs. Studies show that 9 out of 10 Americans are using at least 1 Fintech Banking App for their banking needs. With this market shift, members are no longer relying on their credit union for loans and deposits but instead going to the aforementioned mythical creatures. In this session, you’ll learn their “secret sauce” and that simple changes to the words on our website and app can make all the difference. Jami Jennings shares how to speak the modern-day members language, bringing loans and deposits back to your credit union.

X by Y: Measuring Your Marketing Efforts

Begin with the end in mind; that’s a lesson taught to us by Stephen R. Covey, but when it comes to credit union marketing, that can be a difficult task. After all, how do you measure the value of a shred day? How do you reflect the worth of a single credit card account? How do you gauge the ROI of member education programs? Ultimately how do you measure the value of a member? Learn how a little homework upfront can help set your marketing campaigns up for success.

Junk Fees: The real costs associated with them

Regulators have launched an initiative to scrutinize back-end “junk fees” that result in billions of dollars of fees for financial institutions. The CFPB focus in 2023 has included credit card fees, overdraft fees, collections fees and they’re not done yet! Come learn and discuss where things stand currently and what fees may be next.

ITMs: How Self-Service Unlocks Improved Member & Employee Experience

In this session, Sean Farrell will cover how ITMs are extending hours of service as well as the value of core-integration to keeping infrastructure costs down. You’ll also discover how free-standing ITMs can help grow your brand into new areas to serve members where branches don’t yet make sense.

Benefits of SBA and USDA Guaranteed Lending

In this session you will discover the benefits of USDA and SBA lending for both the lender and the borrower. Following a general overview of the types of loan programs we’ll share how guarantees work. We’ll help you understand the secondary market and discover how to grow liquidity. We’ll also discuss facilitating the process because originating and funding guaranteed loans should not be difficult.

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

- Vincent Van Gogh

Recognition

Excellence in Marketing Awards

Creating amazing work may be its own reward, but having your work seen and recognized by the credit union community is inspiring and energizing. Louisiana credit unions have the opportunity to submit an entry in six categories: Annual Report, Community Outreach, Digital Marketing, Internal/Culture Branding, Newsletter, and Social Media. All entries will be judged by an all-star panel of industry influencers and experts in the field. Entries are due June 16.

Louisiana Credit Union Hall of Fame

Sponsored by the Louisiana Foundation, the Louisiana Credit Union Hall of Fame recognizes the valuable leadership, commitment, and contributions of credit union professionals and volunteers throughout the state. The 2022 Louisiana CU Hall of Fame Inductees will be honored during the opening ceremonies of our convention. Deadline to recognize someone is July 7.

NEW! 'Path to Progress' Inclusivity Award

New in 2023, LCUL will recognizing a credit union that has demonstrated sustained support for advancing DEI initiatives in their workplace, been a catalyst for cultural transformation that emphasizes inclusion, and supported positive change within the credit union industry, their organization, or their community that uplifts diverse communities. Entries are due July 7.

National Recognition Program

Louisiana credit unions are making strides when it comes to demonstrating social responsibility and financial education. It’s time to show it off. Winning entries will then head to Washington D.C. for the national competition. Entries are due July 7.

“Art doesn’t have to be pretty. It has to be meaningful.”

- Duane Hanson

Networking

Welcome Reception

Join fellow attendees and vendors to kick off our convention and get a sneak speak at what is in store. over the next few days. This casual "get to know you" reception will jump start our creative juices to be ready to paint outside the lines.

Rock n’ Bowl Fundraiser

LCUL will be hosting a fundraising social event to benefit the Louisiana CU Foundation on Wednesday evening at the world famous Rock n’ Bowl venue. Come show your support while enjoying networking, bowling, food and an open bar. We even provide transportation to/from event! Separate registration required; $85/person. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND.

ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSIONS

The opportunities for professionals to meet, learn and network have increased exponentially. The internet creates a time-saving and cost-efficient medium for busy professionals. However, it is important to remember the value provided when people gather together in person to share ideas and learn from one another – the good, “old-fashioned” round-table. On Thursday afternoon, we're bringing back the exciting opportunity to learn from the best source of all – your peers.

Friday Night PARTY: Let's Van-GEAUX!

Our often imitated, but never duplicated, our end of convention party is taking place on August 4 from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm at the Chicory on Fulton Street. Admission is included with convention registration and includes dinner, live music, open bar and, of course, fun. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL TICKETS.

“Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art.”

-Andy Warhol

Hotel

The Hilton New Orleans Riverside is the official hotel for the event. Located at Two Poydras Street, you’re steps away from the Riverwalk Outlet Center and the Warehouse District. LCUL has a group block with multiple room types and views available.

Room rates from $194/per night.

LCUL Room Block Deadline: July 7, 2023

Creativity starts

HERE.

Attendee Registration: $650

Attendee registration includes access to education, exhibit hall, Friday night social event, and all attendee meals.

Guest Registration: $375

Guest registration includes access to the exhibit hall, Friday night social event, and all attendee meals.

*Separate registration for the Louisiana CU Foundation fundraiser at Rock 'n Bowl.

Important dates to remember:

June 16: Marketing Award Deadline

July 7: Hotel Deadline for Discounted Room Rates

July 7: Hall of Fame, Path to Progress Award Deadline

July 26: Last Day to Register for Event