MADISON, Wis.—Summit Credit Union’s seventh annual Co-op Connection attracted nearly 4,500 people to the free event that includes cooperatives from throughout Wisconsin.
“We’re thrilled so many people visited Co-op Connection this year. Co-ops offer a thriving business model of local ownership and commitment to the well-being of their members and communities,” said Summit Credit Union CEO and president Kim Sponem. “When Summit’s 168,000-plus members choose our products and services, they don’t just save money—they strengthen the credit union for other members, which helps more members save, contributing to a greater impact in the community. It’s one of the beauties of a cooperative, and we’re happy to help people learn more about co-ops at Co-op Connection.”
Summit said it originally established the event to celebrate cooperatives and highlight their benefit on local communities and economies. The occasion provides an opportunity not only for participants to embrace local cooperatives, but also for the cooperatives themselves to work together to put on a cohesive event.
Hosted by Summit Credit Union and sponsored in part by Organic Valley and CUNA Mutual Group, participating cooperatives at this year’s event included Willy Street Co-op, Just Coffee Cooperative and Union Technology Cooperative, UW Center for Cooperatives, among others.
Attendees of the free event enjoyed various family activities, product samples from the participating co-ops and prize drawings.