September 17, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Mark Wolff , CUNA
(202) 508-6764; mwolff@cuna.com

Gen. Colin Powell and “Hardball” Host Chris Matthews will be among the headline speakers at CUNA’s 2008 Governmental Affairs Conference, March 2 – 6, 2008 in Washington, D.C. This will be CUNA’s inaugural GAC headquartered at the prestigious Washington Convention Center.

“Our grand new venue at the Washington Convention Center is emblematic of the GAC’s status as the premier national political conference for the credit union movement,” said CUNA President and CEO Dan Mica. “The Convention Center opens up exciting new possibilities for us in the way we are designing the 2008 GAC. It will be the GAC everyone knows, only even better.” The move to the Convention Center reflects the progressive growth of the GAC, which now attracts more than 4,000 credit union leaders from around the country.

This year’s GAC theme is “Red, White and You,” featuring a patriotic design that emphasizes personal involvement in political action on behalf of the credit union movement and its 90 million members. New to the GAC in 2008 is a special kickoff concert featuring the band America, (“Ventura Highway,’ “Sister Golden Hair,” “A Horse With No Name”), known for its uplifting music and enduring appeal across generations. America performs Sunday evening, March 2, in a kickoff concert presented by the CUNA Councils.

Gen. Colin Powell (Ret.), a former U.S. Secretary of State, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and one of the most admired men in America, will discuss leadership strategies based on his distinguished military and political career. Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews” and NBC’s “The Chris Matthews Show,” will provide his no-nonsense take on the 2008 political scene.

In addition the GAC brings together top policy makers from Congress, the Bush Administration, the federal regulatory agencies, and the Washington political establishment to provide the latest information on legislation and regulation that affects credit unions and their ability to serve their members. Heading into the 2008 election year, the conference will also focus considerable attention on the upcoming Congressional races and strategies for credit union political and campaign involvement.

“The GAC is a tremendous opportunity for credit union members to make an impact,” notes CUNA Chairman Allan Kemp McMorris, who is also CEO of Oakland County Credit Union in Waterford, Mich. “I urge everyone who has attended the GAC in the past to make a special effort to attend this year, and bring a colleague who hasn’t attended before. An exceptionally strong turnout in our first year at the Convention Center will add depth and momentum to our message to lawmakers. We want Congress to know that credit unions are committed not only to our members, but to our nation’s financial and economic well- being.”

The 2008 GAC shifts its schedule forward one day from what has been done in the past, a change that allows the GAC to take place on more days when Congress is in session and members of Congress are in Washington rather than back in their districts. Under the new time frame and schedule:

• The Exhibit Hall Grand Opening & Dessert Reception is Sunday, March 2 at 7:00 p.m., followed by a new GAC Kickoff Concert at 8:30 p.m. featuring the band America.
• CUNA’s Annual General Meeting will be Monday, March 3 at 10 a.m.
• Herb Wegner Memorial Awards Dinner is Monday, March 3 (at the Grand Hyatt).
• Opening General Session is Tuesday, March 4 at 9:00 a.m.
• Late Night at the GAC is Tuesday, March 4 at 9:00 p.m.
• Capitol Hill visits will be Wednesday, March 5, in the afternoon following a morning General Session.
• The traditional Gala Reception/Dance will be Wednesday, March 5 at 7 pm
• Closing General Session is Thursday morning, March 6.

The GAC also provides on-point education sessions that will ensure credit unions are fully briefed on credit union legislative priorities, the impact of coming regulations, and grassroots political and campaign involvement strategies. As always, the conference will devote a day when credit union leaders deliver their message to Capitol Hill and meet personally with their state congressional delegations.

“It’s important for meetings with members of Congress to take place year-round through such efforts as our Hike the Hill program. But the GAC is the one time during the year when thousands of credit union people are here together to deliver our message, tell our story and demonstrate our support to our friends on Capitol Hill,” says Mica. “As a former member of Congress, I can tell you for a fact that this has a great impact. But it all starts with you, and your own commitment to be involved and participate.”

Social events, an entertaining guest program, and an expanded Exhibit Hall filled with the latest in products and technology round out the conference. During free time, the Washington setting offers stirring national monuments, historic landmarks, world renowned museums, fine dining, and other year-round tourist attractions.

Registration is $795. A discount rate of $400 is available for credit unions with asset size of $35 million or less. Housing reservations lines open on November 5 at 2 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. For more information, call CUNA Meetings and Special Events at 1-800-356-9655, ext. 5700, email gacinfo@cuna.com or visit www.cuna.org. For program information, call CUNA’s Washington office at 1-800-356-9655 ext. 6763. All GAC 2008 information will be periodically updated on www.cuna.org. Click GAC 2008 on the homepage or enter GAC2008 in the search box.

Copyright © 2008 - Credit Union National Association, Inc.