Welcome to the Annual Meeting Guide—your go-to resource for everything at the event! Here, you'll find quick access to the agenda, exhibitor and sponsor details, event survey, speaker handouts, and more.
Agenda
Tap below to view the full itinerary for each day. Use the hotel map for help finding your way around.
| 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Registration
Advantage Foyer |
| 1:00 — 4:00 p.m. | C-Suite Welcome & Exhibitor Showcase Preview
Savannah Foyer (outside Grand Ballroom) |
| 1:00 — 4:00 p.m. | Board of Directors Workshop, Facilitated by Katy Zaleski, Humanidei
Strengthen board effectiveness in this interactive workshop designed for credit union directors. The session explores practical strategies to enhance collaboration, clarify governance roles, and foster inclusive, future‑focused boards aligned with mission, culture, and community needs. Danner |
| 1:00 — 4:00 p.m. | Small Credit Union Roundtable, Facilitated by Mike Bechtel, Vizo Financial
Join fellow small credit union leaders for an interactive roundtable featuring a guided tabletop exercise. Working in small groups, participants will walk through a simulated threat scenario, share perspectives, and discuss response strategies—helping leaders proactively strengthen risk and security planning before real‑world incidents occur. Elliot/Drayton/Heyward |
| 6:00 — 8:00 p.m. | Summer Soiree
Ocean Front Deck |
| 7:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. | Registration
Advantage Foyer |
| 7:00 — 8:15 a.m. | Exhibitor Showcase Networking Breakfast
Grand Ballroom |
| 8:30 — 8:45 a.m. | Welcome with Legislative Greetings & Remarks
Grand Ballroom |
| 9:00 — 10:00 a.m. | The Power of Being Perfectly You, Mariana Atencio
Drawing on her journey from Venezuela to national newsroom anchor desks, Mariana uses her signature humor and storytelling to spotlight how being real builds trust, engagement, resilience and well‑being. Learn practical steps to navigate change confidently and harness your unique traits, while cultivating teams where belonging fuels connection, collaboration and performance. Grand Ballroom |
| 10:15 — 11:15 a.m. | Seize Your Opportunities, JJ Birden
Drawing from his underdog journey from walk‑on athlete to nine‑season NFL veteran, JJ spotlights the grit, discipline and self‑drive required to perform at the highest level and stay there. Don’t miss this chance to catch a surge of motivation that will help you navigate challenges with confidence — keeping your team moving forward. Grand Ballroom |
| 11:15 a.m. | Carolinas Credit Union Foundation Update, Lauren Whaley
Grand Ballroom |
| 11:30 a.m. — 1:00 p.m. | Exhibitor Showcase Lunch & Explore
Grand Ballroom / Savannah Foyer |
| 1:00 — 5:00 p.m. | CCUL Golf Outing Please be at the Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club, Barony Course, by 12:30 p.m.; play is a shotgun start. Must be pre-registered for this event. Awards to be announced at Exhibitor Showcase Closing Reception. |
| 1:00 — 4:00 p.m. | Leisure Activities Begin (Advance registration required)
|
| 5:00 — 7:00 p.m. | Exhibitor Showcase Closing Reception & Prizes (incl. golf awards)
Before the lights dim on the Exhibitor Showcase, join us for a Closing Reception inspired by coastal carnival charm. Enjoy premium refreshments, entertainment and shoreside fun — all while continuing to connect with exhibitors and earning entries for door prizes and the Grand Prize Raffle. Grand Ballroom / Savannah Foyer |
| 7:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Registration
Advantage Foyer |
| 7:00 — 8:15 a.m. | Breakfast
Grand Ballroom |
| 7:00 — 8:15 a.m. | Vizo Financial Member Breakfast
Grand Ocean Terrace |
| 8:00 — 8:30 a.m. | Delegate Check-in
Savannah Foyer |
| 8:30 — 9:30 a.m. | CCUL Business Meeting
Grand Ballroom |
| 9:45 — 11:00 a.m. | The “What If…?” Experience, Mike Rayburn
Blending virtuoso‑level performance with humor and real‑world business strategies, Mike’s “What If…?” approach shows how small shifts in thinking ignite bold ideas, new opportunities, and breakthrough feats. Grand Ballroom |
| 11:00 — 11:45 a.m. | The Exchange: A Conversation with Advocacy
A CEO panel focused on the principles of Contribute, Communicate, Connect. Moderated by the League’s Chief Advocacy Officer Billy Boylston, CEOs Scott Woods, Tyler Grodi, Brian McKay, and Liz Ponder will share real-world examples from their credit unions. Walk away with a clear understanding of why effective advocacy is not an event, but a continuous process built through consistent engagement. Grand Ballroom |
| 11:45 a.m. | Closing Remarks
Grand Ballroom |
Useful Links & Resources
- 2026 Annual Meeting Post-Event Survey (Link)
- 2026 Exhibitor Showcase Map (PDF)
- 2026 CCUL Business Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- Westin Hilton Head Dining Options (Link)
- Westin Hilton Head Hotel Map (PDF)
- 2026 Tax Exemption Form (PDF)
Enjoy available speaker handouts and other resources here.
- Board of Directors Workshop | Katy Zaleski, Humanidei (View Presentation)
- The Power of Being Perfectly You | Mariana Atencio (View Presentation)
- Seize Your Opportunities | JJ Birden (View Presentation)
- The “What If…?” Experience | Mike Rayburn (View Presentation)
- Small CU Roundtable | Mike Bechtel, Vizo Financial (View Presentation)
- Emcee Steve Gilliland Book: If Leadership Is a Game, These Are the Rules
- 2026 CCUL Training & Events Calendar (PDF)
Speaker handouts will be available post event.
Premier Sponsors of the Annual Meeting
Carrick Professionals and TruStage are committed to supporting credit unions and their members. Thank you for being our leading partners at this year’s event!