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April 25, 2013 - Attendees at NAFCU's CEOs and Senior Executives Conference in Sonoma, Calif., begin a two-day program of learning and discussion about the future of credit unions today, beginning with a leadership plan workshop with leadership guru and customer experience expert John Spence.

Spence, one of two keynoters for this year's conference, plans to talk about how credit union CEOs and senior executives can deal with an aggressive marketplace, changing business models, stressed-out employees and demanding members. He'll also talk about tools they can use to implement a successful management action plan back home.

Today's program also includes the following:

• a panel discussion on non-interest income and future business models, with PULSE President Dave Schneider, Filene Research Institute researcher Brent Dixon and 1st Advantage FCU President and CEO Paul Muse;
• a look at the state of the credit union industry, with NAFCU President and CEO Fred Becker;
• a presentation on America's fiscal recovery and how to improve it, with Fannie Mae Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Douglas Duncan; and
• six tips for using "gamification" to engage members and employees, with Wayne Conte, executive vice president of sales for Affinion Group, a NAFCU Services preferred partner.

Tomorrow's program includes a session with NAFCU government affairs senior staff on developments at the CFPB and their impact on credit unions; and a discussion with Becker and NCUA Board Member Michael Fryzel on the state of the industry.

Friday's keynote speaker is Peter Sheahan, CEO of the global consultancy firm ChangeLabs, who will talk to attendees about how to turn leadership principles learned this week into action.