Katie BaileyThe League of Credit Unions & Affiliates officially opened the inaugural ENGAGE Conference—formerly known as the Southeast Credit Union Conference & Expo (SCUCE) and IGNITE in Orlando, Florida. This year’s event marks a historic milestone as the first-time credit unions from all four states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia—have come together since the unification of The League of Southeastern Credit Unions and the Virginia Credit Union League earlier this year. This year’s conference attracted a record number of attendees, including credit union leaders and vendors from across our combined footprint.
ENGAGE 2025 offers an extensive lineup of over 75 expert speakers, 50+ breakout sessions, and 200+ exhibitors, making it the premier event for credit union professionals in the United States. The conference is designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and advocacy within the credit union movement.
The first day of the conference focused on small credit unions, highlighting their unique needs and critical role in the movement. The day began with a networking breakfast and an interactive session on CEO succession planning led by Tracie Kenyon of humanidei. This workshop emphasized the importance of developing internal leadership pipelines and creating sustainable transition strategies. Teri Robinson, CEO of Ironworkers USA Federal Credit Union and 2025 Herb Wegner Memorial Award winner, followed with a compelling session on resilience and innovation in leadership. A compliance and legislative roundtable, led by JT Blau, General Counsel for The League, provided valuable insights into emerging regulatory risks and best practices for managing compliance challenges. The Small Credit Union Roundtable Lunch offered a collaborative space for leaders to connect and exchange ideas.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to advocacy with public viewings of our federal and regulatory and four state advocacy committee meetings. Committees discussed upcoming legislative priorities, engaged with federal and state regulators, and strategized how to best leverage grassroots engagement and Political Action Committee resources in this critical election year.
The day concluded with lively state receptions that gave attendees the opportunity to build connections within their state delegations. The energy carried into the evening with Karaoke for CULAC (Credit Union Legislative Action Council) —a fun and spirited event in support of The League’s Federal Political Action Committee (FedPAC).
“ENGAGE 2025 marks a pivotal moment for our movement,” said Samantha A.M. Beeler, President of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates. “For the first time, credit union leaders from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia are coming together under one roof—not just to share knowledge, but to build a united front in advocacy, elevate the presence of credit unions in the financial ecosystem, and shape the future of our industry. This conference is more than an event—it’s the start of a stronger, more connected regional network striving toward common goals.”
The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates extends its deepest appreciation to the sponsors whose generous support has made ENGAGE 2025 possible. Their commitment helps fuel the innovation, collaboration, and leadership that define this event and empower the credit union movement across all four states.
For more information about ENGAGE, including the full agenda and registration details, please visit engage.the-league.coop.
