Berger Leadership Blog

Hello from sunny Southern California! After four years and an unprecedented global pandemic, I was honored to welcome back hundreds of credit union leaders and industry professionals in Long Beach for a week of reconnection, thought-provoking sessions, and collaboration at Engage 2023: NAFCU’s Annual Conference.

I have talked extensively about this new age of connecting digitally post pandemic, but in-person conferences are still essential for continued growth in our industry. Research studies have shown socialization with colleagues is still an important aspect of work. And regardless of your position or level of experience in your career, pursuing new ideas and continuing education is critical to success. Our Annual Conference provided plenty of opportunities to do just that.

We’ve designed our Annual Conference to be an all-encompassing event where credit union leaders and industry professionals can get exactly what they need to take their institutions to the next level. Attendees heard from top leaders and industry experts on growth strategies, ways to improve the member experience, trends in lending and technology and more. We offer a wide variety of topics and breakout sessions because we know each of your institutions is unique, yet we all are working toward the same goal: Strengthening the credit union industry. Just as it’s important for you to meet your members’ needs, NAFCU is here to meet yours.

Your excitement at this event reaffirmed something I’ve always known: our industry is hungry for opportunities to connect and grow. The energy and drive to do better for members is alive and well and I am confident the industry’s best days are ahead of us. Especially with the takeaways we’re all bringing home from Engage 2023.

While this conference is focused on industry trends and strategies, we have another annual event that is just as important to the industry’s success: Congressional Caucus. I look forward to seeing many familiar faces in Washington, D.C., this September for Caucus as we gather to advocate for credit union priorities, meet directly with lawmakers, and move the needle of our industry forward together.