“Hey, want to fly to Austin, stay at a fancy resort, and rub shoulders with credit union bigwigs—all expenses paid?”
Yet that’s exactly what Catalyst is offering through its 2026 Young Professional Crasher program.
Think of it as Willy Wonka’s golden ticket, but instead of a chocolate factory tour, you’re getting a front-row seat to the conversations shaping where credit unions are headed next.
What’s the Deal?
Catalyst is hunting for emerging leaders to join their Strategic Summit on September 22-24, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa near Austin, Texas. And they’re not just handing out conference badges—they’re covering your registration, hotel room, and throwing in exclusive networking opportunities that don’t appear on the regular attendee schedule.
Translation: You get access to the people and ideas driving the industry forward, without the usual barriers to entry.
Why This Matters
Let’s be real—most young professionals don’t get invited to sit at the strategic planning table. Programs like this one flip that script. Every year, a select group of Crashers shows up ready to absorb everything they can, and they leave with something more valuable than swag bags: genuine connections and a clearer sense of where their career can go.
Past participants consistently say the relationships and real-world insights they gained were the highlight. It’s not just inspirational keynote speeches (though those happen too). It’s the hallway conversations, the unexpected mentorship moments, and the chance to see how industry leaders actually think through challenges.
One 2025 participant put it this way: “Overall, the Catalyst Summit reinforced the value of staying member-focused, building connections and continuing to live out the credit union mission every day.”
Who Can Apply?
If you work for a credit union or CUSO and you’re under 40, you’re in the running. You can nominate yourself (with your manager’s blessing) or have a colleague or executive sponsor put your name forward.
The application itself is refreshingly straightforward—just a handful of questions about your professional goals and how you think about leadership. No 10-page essay required.
The Timeline
Mark your calendar: applications close on July 31, and winners get announced August 7. That gives you plenty of time to polish your responses, but not so much time that you should procrastinate until the last minute (though we know how that goes).
Ready to throw your hat in the ring? Head over to catalystcorp.org/summit to apply or nominate someone whose career deserves this kind of rocket fuel.
Related:
DCUC Welcomes 2025 Crashers Class Ahead of Annual Conference Kickoff
Georgia United Credit Union Foundation Announces Six 2024 School Crashers Recipients