Katie BaileyThe League of Credit Unions & Affiliates concluded its third annual VISION Conference at The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in Point Clear, Alabama. With more than 200 in attendance, VISION 2025 delivered three days of forward-thinking sessions, cutting-edge solutions, and meaningful engagement designed to prepare the movement for the future of financial services.
The conference opened with a dynamic presentation from Brent Dixon, Founder of Dixon Strategic Labs, who introduced attendees to the next wave of artificial intelligence (AI) through the use of autonomous AI agents. His session provided a strategic framework for how credit unions can evaluate and implement these tools to optimize operations and member service.
Day two featured keynote speaker Zack Kass, futurist and former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, whose session, The Next Renaissance, explored how the rise of AI mirrors past periods of transformative progress. Kass challenged attendees to embrace change, drive innovation, and lead with vision in a rapidly evolving world.
Attendees also experienced the excitement of the Innovation Incubator, presented by FiLab at the Filene Research Institute, and the high-energy Shark Tank competition—two featured sessions that showcased future-forward solutions designed to transform the credit union experience.
Advocacy remained central to the experience, with an Advocacy Luncheon led by Michelle Roth, Vice President of Advocacy for The League. Attendees also had the opportunity to attend various breakout sessions focused on future planning and data optimization.
“The 2025 VISION Conference was an excellent resource for strategies to prepare credit unions of all sizes for the future. The sessions delivered timely, relevant content that will help MembersFirst thrive in today’s competitive environment,” said Terry Hardy, President and CEO of MembersFirst Credit Union. “The focus on artificial intelligence and other emerging trends broadened our perspective and offered valuable, though-provoking takeaways for our team.”
The event closed with a panel conversation on fintech partnerships, led by industry leaders from TruStage Ventures including Brian Kaas, Arjun Sahgal, Nicholas Hinrichsen, Jamie Jackson, and Todd Peeples. Following the panel, Dr. Brandi Stankovic of Strategic Advisory Solutions delivered the closing keynote, offering a high-energy message on leadership, adaptability, and the future of the credit union movement.
“This year’s VISION Conference delivered on its promise to push boundaries and reimagine what’s possible,” said Samantha A.M. Beeler, President of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates. “From the conversations around artificial intelligence to the collaborative energy in every room, it’s clear that credit unions are ready to lead the way into the future. The momentum we built here will carry forward into the work we do together long after the conference ends.”
The League extends its sincere appreciation to the speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees who made VISION 2025 a success.
