Credit unions are built on cooperation, but the daily grind makes it hard to practice.
Leaders at five-state institutions spend most of the year heads-down on fraud, technology, and hiring. Few chances come along to get everyone in one room. APEX 2026 was one of them.
The Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA) and Connecticut’s Credit Unions (CTCU) hosted the convention at Mohegan Sun October 13–16. About 1,000 leaders, partners, sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers came from Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The theme, Peak of Possibility, nudged attendees to look past current playbooks and rethink leadership, technology, and member engagement.
The Speakers Who Set the Tone
The keynote lineup covered a lot of ground, from generational shifts to hardwood wisdom:
- Phil Gwoke, generational expert and CEO of BridgeWorks, opened by tackling how to connect across generations and win over the next wave of members and talent.
- Bryan Seely, a cybersecurity expert and ethical hacker, walked through emerging fraud tactics and the changing threat landscape.
- Kevin McHale, Boston Celtics legend and Basketball Hall of Famer, shared lessons on leadership, teamwork, and perseverance.
- Scott Simpson, President and CEO of America’s Credit Unions, closed with a national view of the movement’s priorities and future.
A Bigger Exhibit Hall, With Real Work Happening in It
The exhibit hall was the largest in APEX history, with 130 exhibitors spanning business partners, service providers, and emerging fintech companies. For credit union decision-makers, that meant face time with the people who build the tools they’re evaluating, plus a look at what’s coming next.
The Solutions Stage returned too, facilitated by Mark Sievewright, Founder of CU Leadership. It offered live tech demos, interactive Learning Labs, fintech presentations, and practical case studies on artificial intelligence, fraud prevention, compliance, and digital transformation. Fintech Foothills and Solutions Summit exhibitors gave attendees even more ways to meet newer innovators and established players.
Who Made It Happen
TruStage served as title sponsor. Convention sponsors cuVoyant, MemberClose, and SRM helped fund the education, networking, and industry engagement that filled the week.
CCUA President and CEO Ron McLean said the event “demonstrated what is possible when we bring together the knowledge, experience, and collective strength of our credit union community.” He pointed to the 1,000 participants, the biggest exhibit hall yet, and strong engagement throughout. “The connections made, ideas exchanged, and opportunities explored at APEX reinforce the importance of working together to advance the credit union movement,” he added.
Christopher Whalen, Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Solutions for CTCU, called the convention “a tremendous celebration of the credit union movement,” noting the remarkable energy as attendees learned from peers and recognized the work credit unions do for members. “Together, CCUA and CTCU are demonstrating cooperative collaboration in action,” he said.
That partnership is a big reason APEX has become a leading industry gathering in the Northeast, serving credit unions across the five-state region.
What’s Next: APEX 2027
Registration for APEX 2027 is already open, and attendees can lock in 2026 rates for a limited time. The convention returns to Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, October 12–15, 2027. Watch for the speaker lineup and sponsor announcements, and see whether the exhibit hall grows again. After this year’s record, that’s a fair bet.