WASHINGTON–CUNA’s first-ever virtual GAC unofficially kicks off today with an orientation session beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET and its Virtual Marketplace opening from 12:00-12:30.
In addition, a session on Credit Union Advocacy on Capitol Hill will run from 12:30-1:00 ET (it repeats on Wednesday and Thursday), while at 1:00 ET there will be two sponsor-led breakout sessions:
- The Weaponization of Technology
- How Credit Unions Can Leverage AI to Improve Member Financial Health
From 2-2:30 p.m., the virtual event will include sponsor roundtables. Similar sessions are also planned for the next two days.
Gift Boxes Sent
This year marks the first-time in the history of the Governmental Affairs Conference, long the largest credit union meeting in the U.S., is being held virtually as a result of the pandemic. The meeting typically draws up to 5,000 people to Washington’s convention center.
Those registered for this year’s GAC have all received gift boxes, according to Karin Sand,
Karin Sand, VP-system provider relations with CUNA, said the sending of the boxes is a way to try to “bridge the virtual and physical world.” She said the boxes include a number of items to make working from home easier, and one of the boxes includes a winning QR code that will award the winner a Mirror interactive home gym and a subscription for one year. That award is being sponsored by PSCU.
GAC in prior years also featured the largest exhibit hall among credit union meetings, and Sand said 101 exhibitors have signed on this year to be a part of GAC’s Virtual Marketplace.
‘Gorgeous’ Booths
She said the virtual booths are “gorgeous” and designed to highlight each provider’s expertise.
As part of the meeting various vendors are sponsoring “five in five” videos in which CUNA said the viewer will receive five solid takeaways as a result of watching the five-minute video.
Sand said one of the traditional strengths of GAC has been the networking, and that the 2021 GAC includes multiple options for chat and interaction among attendees.
The official GAC is scheduled for March 2-4.