Board and Committee Leadership Conference
November 16 – 18, 2026
Make plans to join your peers for an education conference designed just for credit union volunteers. The Board & Committee Leadership Conference is set for November 16 – 18, 2026, in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. It features a full range of informative sessions on critical, timely issues with first-rate speakers.
We welcome credit unions associated with the Tennessee League or their respective leagues to participate in this informative educational event. If you are a vendor or third party and would like more information about this event, please contact the Events Team.
Schedule – All times EST
Monday, November 16
3:00 pm
Registration
5:00 pm
Networking Reception
5:30 pm
Welcome Dinner and Family Feud Entertainment!
Tuesday, November 17
7:30 am
Registration Open
7:30 am – 9:00 am
Buffet Breakfast
9:00 am
Welcome & Announcements
9:10 am
Economic Update
10:00 am
Networking Break
10:15 am
Scam Awareness and Prevention for Business Professionals
11:25 am
Bank Secrecy Act Updates for Volunteers
12:30 pm
Buffet Lunch and Network with Colleagues
1:35 pm
The Top 10 Things Supervisory Committee Members Need to Know – Supervisory Committee Breakout Session
1:35 pm
How Internal Talent Mobility Creates Long-Term Leadership Excellence – Volunteer/Leadership Breakout Session
2:30 pm
Hope and Encouragement – Clark Roberts
3:30 pm
Evening on Your Own to Explore Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg!
Wednesday, November 18
8:00 am
Breakfast Buffet
9:00 am
Closing Keynote with Nashville Singer Songwriter Patrick Henry
10:00 am
Conference Closing Remarks & Door Prizes!
Speaker Sessions
Credit union financials in the new era
Fred Palmer
The market pains that credit unions face are continuously shifting. This session will look at the current market challenges credit unions are facing today and some potential solutions to combat those problems. Learn more about customizable solutions like total benefits pre-funding, charitable donation accounts and funding options. There is also an in-depth case study to demonstrate the different executive benefits products.
Scam Awareness and Prevention for Business Professionals
Richard Bryant, Program Director, Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission
As scams and fraudulent activities become increasingly sophisticated, it is crucial for everyone, including business professionals, to stay informed and vigilant. This presentation is designed to provide board members with essential information on identifying and avoiding scams. Leveraging their business acumen, professionals will gain insights into protecting themselves and their peers from financial exploitation.
Objectives:
- Increase Awareness: Educate on the latest trends and tactics used in scams.
- Recognize Warning Signs: Equip attendees with the knowledge to identify common red flags of scams and fraud.
- Prevention Strategies: Offer practical tips and strategies to avoid falling victim to scams.
- Empowerment: Enable participants to share this knowledge within their communities, fostering a safer environment for all.
Economic Update
Phillip Cochran is the Senior Vice President/ Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at Volcorp.
Let’s discuss the good and bad of what we are seeing with not only the most recent rate cut, but anticipated Fed moves through the end of next year. How will these moves impact credit unions and what should we prepare for?
While managing VolCorp’s investment portfolio and liquidity, Phillip also directs the marketing, sales, analytics, accounting and support functions of all VolCorp investment services to both client credit unions and client corporate credit unions. Joining VolCorp in August of 2004, Phillip has served in the Consulting Department as well as the Investment Department. He was named Chief Investment Officer in 2010, and Senior Vice President in 2016. He also sits on the CU Investment Solutions LLC Board of Managers. Prior to joining the corporate, Phillip was an investment manager at a private investment firm in the Nashville area.
Phillip is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Phillip has a Bachelor of Business degree, with a focus in finance, from Belmont University, a Masters of Science of Accounting from Maryville University and holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities licenses.
Bank Secrecy Act Training for Volunteers
Eileen Burden, Manager of Compliance Kentucky’s Credit Unions
leaders of your credit union, it is incumbent on you to comply with the requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering (AML) rules and regulations in order to maintain proper oversight of your credit union’s BSA compliance program. In this session, we’ll examine the applicable BSA/AML laws, rules, and regulations; discuss the elements of a strong BSA compliance program and examiner expectations; and review recent enforcement actions related to violations of the BSA and other anti-money laundering provisions.
Hope and Encouragement
Clark Roberts
Clark lost his ability to see at age 24 and gained his vision that life does not stop when adversity occurs. He discovered that when life happens, we must embrace the challenge, look for the potential, and live life to its fullest. Over the past 30 years,
Clark has inspired tens of thousands of men, women, and children to become compassionate leaders through his message.
Shifting Adversity: What I learned from Losing My Eyesight at 24
As a keynote speaker, panelist, workshop leader, and corporate trainer, Clark uses his gift of storytelling, blended with humor, to challenge his audience to change their perspective and look at their circumstances and potential in new ways.
In these challenging times, Clark offers practical applications to teach the importance of resilience and adaptability for overcoming challenges, celebrating our differences, and leading with confidence, inspiring others to do the same.
The Top 10 Things Supervisory Committee Members Need to Know
The TN Department of Financial Institutions will provide training on the responsibilities and requirements for Supervisory Committee members. This session will also include an opportunity for open discussion and dialogue.
Entertainment
We are working hard to provide you with more information. Check back soon!
Closing Session
Patrick Henry
As a former Nashville songwriter and humorist on the SiriusXM Radio Family Comedy Channels, Patrick Henry brings a unique blend of humor, music, and a motivational message to his audiences to create an event that is full of energy and actionable ideas.
Dollywood Heartsong Resort
The primary conference hotel is Dollywoood Heartsong. Currently, Heartsong is sold out for the nights of November 5 and Saturday, November 8. If you need a hotel stay that includes those particular nights, you may want to try Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa Hotel just across the street or any of the nearby hotels on the map below.
ROOM RATE: Starting at $299 per night plus tax
Reservation Deadline: October 6, 2025
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Complimentary Nightly Marshmallow “Roasties”
- Exclusive Benefits for Resort Guests with Valid Admission Tickets or Season Passes
- Complimentary Self-Parking
- Valet Parking – $30 per night
Please register to attend the event at the same time you book your hotel room.
Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis and will sell out quickly, so book soon!
Book by Phone
Book Online
Reservation Deadline: October 6, 2025
Book early. The room block will likely sell out.
We welcome credit unions associated with the Tennessee League or their respective leagues to participate in this informative educational event.
If you are a vendor or third party and would like more information about this event, please contact the Events Team.
