Annual Convention & Expo
Gatlinburg Convention Center — April 22 – 24, 2025
Join Us for the 2025 Annual Convention & Expo
Where Innovation Meets Opportunity in the Heart of the Smokies
April 22 – 24, 2025 | Gatlinburg Convention Center
Transform your professional journey at this year’s must-attend industry event. Over three dynamic days, connect with fellow leaders, discover cutting-edge solutions, and shape the future of our industry against the breathtaking backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Why Attend?
Experience an unmatched blend of professional development and strategic networking designed specifically for Tennessee credit union industry leaders and professionals. From C-suite executives to specialized professionals in technology, lending, and compliance, our annual convention delivers targeted value for every attendee.
What to Expect This Year
- Exclusive keynote from Coach Donnie Campbell, the real-life inspiration behind one of television’s most beloved characters
- Dedicated tracks for young professionals ensuring next-generation leadership development
- Interactive exhibit hall featuring industry-leading solutions and innovations
- Strategic networking opportunities, including our signature welcome party and daily connection sessions
- Specialized breakout sessions tailored to your role and interests
Beyond the Convention
Make the most of your experience in beautiful Gatlinburg. After a day of learning and networking, explore the charm of downtown Gatlinburg or unwind in the scenic Smoky Mountains. With convenient accommodation options just steps from the convention center, you’ll be perfectly positioned for both professional growth and mountain leisure.
Don’t Miss Out
Join hundreds of industry professionals for this transformative event. Early registration ensures your place at our most anticipated convention yet.
Highlights from 2024
Schedule – All times ET
Tuesday, April 22
8:30 a.m.
Golf Tournament
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Attendee and Exhibitor Registration
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Tennessee League Business Meeting
Awards Presentation
6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Welcome Party and Dinner in the Exhibit Hall
A Night at the Races!
Wednesday, April 23
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast in Exhibit Hall
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Keynote General Sessions
Young Professional Breakout Sessions
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Networking and Lunch in the Exhibit Hall
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
General Sessions
Young Professional Breakout Sessions
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Happy Hour in the Exhibit Hall
Exhibitor prizes awarded
4:00 p.m.
Explore Gatlinburg!
Thursday, April 24
7:30 – 8:45 a.m.
Morning Breakfast Mixer
8:45 – 9:30 a.m.
General Session
9:30 – 9:45 a.m.
Networking Break
9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Team Agar Closing Session
10:45 – 11:00 a.m.
Closing Remarks and Grand Prizes
Speaker Sessions
Opening Keynote
What’s Your MVP? Leadership Lessons from the Coach who Inspired Ted Lasso
Coach Donnie Campbell is a math teacher and a high school basketball coach from Kansas who was plucked out of obscurity when Jason Sudeikis, the American actor and star of the 5-time Emmy Award winning show, revealed to Stephen Colbert on the late show that Campbell was in part the impetus for the lead character he plays with such wit and wisdom. It was back in the late 1990’s when Jason played basketball at Shawnee Mission West and Donnie was his coach. Little did Campbell know that all of the pearls of wisdom he was dropping on Jason and the team would appear years later and make an indelible impression on millions around the world.
Closing Session
Unlocking Unlimited Potential - Team Agar
Team Agar participates in endurance races all over the world. They are also accomplished motivational keynote speakers and authors and know how to take on life one step at a time.
They have been in over 200 races, including five marathons, numerous half marathons, 25Ks, 10Ks and 5Ks. They have also participated in over 30 triathlons which include everything from Sprint distance to a full Ironman of 140.6 miles. TeamAgar attempted five full Ironmans, including the iconic Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, which NBC chronicled. This past September, 2022, TeamAgar completed their first, full distance Ironman in Maryland, where Johnny walked across the finish line.
They have been featured on CBS Mornings, The NBC Today Show, Inside Edition, People, USA Today, NBC Nightly News, Huffington Post, and ESPN’s Sportscenter among many others. Their tenacity and indelible spirit have caught the attention of Olympic swimming great Michael Phelps and the sports apparel company Under Armour—so much so that UA placed them in two commercials: One with Phelps and the other with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. They are also just a dad and son working together as a team. Johnny, despite being diagnosed with cerebral palsy, has willed himself to become the athlete he has always dreamed of being. And his dad has been the arms, legs, and power to help Johnny fulfill that dream.
Executive Benefit Programs - The Tools to Help Operate Succession Plans
John Atkinson, MBA Senior Executive Benefits Specialist TruStage
- Succession Planning
- NCUA Requirements
- Retention
- Statistics on what percentage of CUs have Executive Benefits by Asset Size
- Change of Control (how some CUs use this as a tool in mergers)
- State/Federal rules on Executive Benefit Plans
Living in an On-Demand World
Many digital innovation trends are evolving quickly, and credit unions need to monitor them closely. These trends include opening banking, digital instant lending, and artificial intelligence. This session will cover these trends and others and offer advice to help credit unions keep pace.
Scott Young is SVP of Emerging Services for Velera, formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions, the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization (CUSO) and integrated financial technology solutions provider. Scott joined Velera in November 2019 as Vice President of Innovation and has nearly 30 years of experience in the fields of payments, financial technology, innovation, and credit unions. Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Coming Soon
We are working hard to confirm schedules for the amazing speakers who will join us. The session description will be coming soon.
Coming Soon
We are working hard to confirm schedules for the amazing speakers who will join us. The session description will be coming soon.
Tennessee Credit Union League
CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Proceeds of the tournament support the
CU4Kids
| LOCATION | 520 Dollywood Lane |
|---|---|
| TIME | Registration/Breakfast 7:30 – 8:30 am ET Shotgun Start 8:30 am |
| FORMAT | 4 Person Scramble with Shotgun Start |
| FEES | $149 per golfer / $750 per foursome Fee includes: Breakfast Green and cart fees Range balls Lunch Additional goodies |
Registration is available through the event registration link.
Proceeds from the Tournament benefit CU4Kids
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors
Premier
Elite
Cancellation
We hope you can attend, but understand if plans change. If you need to cancel, please let us know at least 30 days before the event start date to receive a full refund. If you cancel within 30 days of the event, a cancellation fee of $100 will be charged. Unfortunately, we cannot refund cancellations within seven days of the event. However, if you cannot attend, you are welcome to send someone else in your place without incurring any additional fees.
Please contact our Events Team at events@yourleague.org with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the event.
Code of Professional Conduct
At the Tennessee Credit Union League, we’re committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone. As a participant related to any of our events, we ask that you conduct yourself in a friendly and considerate manner.
We value everyone’s experience and won’t tolerate disruptions or disrespect towards other participants, League members, speakers, attendees, exhibitors, guests, volunteers, or staff. We will review concerns and take any action we deem necessary. Participants found to have breached this Code of Professional Conduct in any way may be asked to leave without a refund of their registration fees and may be banned from future events. This may include all meetings, offsite activities, and credit union chapter meetings.
Thank you for helping us maintain a positive and professional atmosphere!
Hotel Information
Courtyard Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown
315 Airport Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-2008
Special Conference Rate: $199 – $219 + taxes
Cut-off Date: March 21, 2025
01-27-25 The Holiday Inn is sold out; however, check back for room openings.
Alternative Hotels nearby:
Fairfield Inn & Suites Gatlinburg Downtown
Hampton Inn Gatlinburg Historic Nature Trail
Holiday Inn Express
(865) 868-6200