Chart Your Own Course at Connect 2026
The new year is right around the corner, and as part of our resolutions, CrossState is already working to revamp our events with all the elements you’ve been asking for. While some changes won’t be possible until 2027, we’re committed to implementing the essentials—and that begins at CrossState Connect Annual Convention.
Held on May 19–21, 2026, at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, our premier conference has been reimagined with a fresh format that puts the control in your hands, allowing you to tailor your experience and better connect with peers.
In other words, it’s all about you.
Choose Your Adventure
For 2026, Connect will offer five learning tracks based on the key areas of credit union success:
Strategy & Leadership (SL)
Advocacy & Foundation (AF)
Compliance & Fraud (CF)
Membership & Marketing (MM)
Operations & Technology (OT)
Every track will feature two Education Sessions led by credit union professionals, regulators, and neutral experts and one Solution Lab led by a service provider. Both session types will conclude with a 20-minute hands-on clinic that provides practical takeaways.
You can select your preferred sessions when registering, choosing all in one track or mixing and matching as you like. This will give our team a better idea of how to properly accommodate each session. But don’t worry—doing so won’t lock you in! You’ll be able to attend any session during the conference.
Content Built by You, for You
Connect will bring in three incredible keynote speakers for our general sessions, including entrepreneur Rashaun Williams, to inspire how we reimagine, innovate, and lead in our organizations. The rest of the lineup will then be filled out by experts directly from the credit union community.
Through December 19, we’re collecting proposals for each track and session type, enabling us to curate the perfect selection of topics to suit credit unions’ needs. If you have unique insights, proven strategies, or case studies your peers could benefit from, submit a proposal today!
Make Your Voice Count
Even if you aren’t taking the stage at Connect, you’ll have an opportunity to share your experience and expertise during the two peer roundtables. Choose from one of five groups—CEOs, Compliance, HR, Marketing, or Operations/IT—then get ready to discuss top challenges in the first meeting on May 19 and viable solutions in the second on May 21.
Where Community Comes Together
Amid the sessions, don’t overlook all the available ways to network with fellow attendees:
- CU Wellness Waterfront Sculpture Walk
- Kick off day two with a 2.2-mile morning walk along Atlantic City’s back bay, featuring sculptures, bird-watching, and several observation points.
- Receptions
- Mingle with fellow professionals during the Trade Show Welcome Reception, Emerging Leaders Mixer, Small CU Meetup, and more.
- Leaders in Financial Literacy Luncheon
- Support the CrossState Credit Union Foundation’s mission to promote financial education during the Leaders in Financial Literacy Luncheon.
- Awards Night
- Honor the achievements and contributions of the Lifetime Achievement Award winners, and hear about the projects by the CU Ambassador Contest’s top three finalists.
Save Your Spot!
Take advantage of Early Bird Pricing now through February 2, 2026, to save on registration. You can also enjoy a discount rate at Harrah’s Resort when you book with our room block. We can’t wait to see you next year!