Picture this: nearly 400 credit union professionals from 26 states descend on Nashville for three days of learning, networking, and yes, a surprise Trace Adkins concert.
That’s exactly what went down at Alloya‘s 12th annual Credit Union Leadership Symposium this September, and it was kind of a big deal.
Why? Because while everyone was busy soaking up wisdom from innovation gurus and leadership experts, Alloya was quietly celebrating its 15th birthday. Fifteen years of helping credit unions do what they do best: put people first.
More Than Just Another Conference
“The Leadership Symposium is an opportunity to prepare for the future while celebrating the cooperative spirit that makes credit unions unique,” said Tim Bruculere, Senior Vice President of Membership at Alloya. Translation? It’s where credit union leaders gather to sharpen their skills, swap war stories, and remember why they got into this business in the first place.
Bruculere added that celebrating Alloya’s anniversary with members drove home an important point: “Our success has always been rooted in collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to helping credit unions thrive.” And judging by the turnout, that message is resonating.
A Speaker Lineup That Brought the Heat
This year’s symposium didn’t mess around with the talent. Attendees heard from a roster of heavy hitters including:
- Josh Linkner, who’s made a career out of teaching people how to innovate (globally recognized, in case you were wondering)
- Connie Podesta, an expert in what makes humans tick and how to lead them effectively
- Elliot Eisenberg, an economist who can actually make economic trends interesting
- Mike Abrashoff, former U.S. Navy Commander with real-world leadership stories that hit different
- Phil Gwoke, who helps leaders navigate the generational workplace puzzle
- Janine Stange (aka National Anthem Girl), bringing motivational energy
- Byron Reese, breaking down AI in ways credit unions can actually use
Together, they tackled everything from workforce engagement to artificial intelligence, giving attendees a roadmap for leading their organizations into whatever comes next.
Show Us Your Story (And Get Paid For It)
During his annual report, Alloya CEO Todd Adams dropped some exciting news: the Celebrate Your Story initiative. Here’s how it works: credit unions share real stories about how they’re making a difference in their communities and member lives. The first 250 credit unions with eligible submissions get $10,000. One story each month gets extra recognition plus an additional $10,000 donation to a charity of their choice.
“Every credit union has a story that demonstrates the impact of people helping people,” Adams explained. “Through Celebrate Your Story, we want to shine a spotlight on the remarkable ways credit unions are strengthening their memberships, supporting their communities and bringing the Power of Cooperation to life every day.”
It’s a simple but powerful idea: credit unions do amazing work every day, and those stories deserve to be told.
Looking Forward While Honoring the Past
The Annual Meeting gave attendees the inside scoop on what Alloya’s cooking up next. Adams emphasized that after 15 years, the mission hasn’t changed: “We remain committed to helping credit unions succeed by delivering innovative solutions, strengthening partnerships and creating opportunities for collaboration across the industry.”
But let’s be honest—it wasn’t all PowerPoints and panel discussions.
Because All Work and No Play Makes Everyone Dull
The first evening kicked off with a networking dinner at the Foundry Fieldhouse, followed by a live show at the Grand Ole Opry featuring three-time Academy of Country Music Award winner Trace Adkins. Not a bad way to spend a Tuesday night in Nashville, if you ask us.
Night two brought back a symposium favorite: Football Night on Nashville’s Skydeck on Broadway. Because sometimes the best business insights come from casual conversations over drinks with a view.
“It is always rewarding to see our members come together to learn from one another, strengthen connections and return home with fresh ideas to support their organizations and communities,” Bruculere said. That’s the whole point, really—connecting people who are trying to solve similar problems and giving them the tools and inspiration to do it better.
See You in Scottsdale
Mark your calendars now: the 2027 Credit Union Leadership Symposium heads to Scottsdale, Arizona, September 8-10. Start planning your stories for the Celebrate Your Story initiative, practice your networking small talk, and get ready for another round of insights, inspiration, and maybe another surprise concert or two.
After 12 symposiums and 15 years in business, Alloya’s figured out the formula: combine serious education with genuine connection, celebrate wins along the way, and never forget that credit unions succeed when they work together. Here’s to the next 15 years.