RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.—CO-OP Financial Services has announced the featured speakers for its THINK 16 conference.
The eight speakers, CO-OP explained, will address leading social, consumer and technology trends to help credit unions re-envision what “People Helping People” means in 2016 and beyond.
“Consumers want to deal with mission-based organizations, if they can deliver on innovative technology,” said Stan Hollen, president/CEO of CO-OP Financial Services. “Credit unions have a unique advantage based on their member-service roots, but to prosper in the future they will need to provide the same level of service as banks and the new fintech companies. The credit union promise has evolved, and THINK 16 will help attendees adopt ‘People Helping People 2.0.’”
The THINK conference (@COOPTHINK) specializes in attracting world-class thought leaders from outside the industry who share their unique perspectives on issues confronting credit unions, the company explained. This year’s conference will put particular emphasis on speaker and audience interaction – and audience collaboration with each other.
“Modern consumer expectations include helping them navigate through their lives,” said Samantha Paxson, chief marketing officer for CO-OP. “Today, bettering lives requires embracing human-centered innovation in order to provide more relevant, meaningful life solutions. Solutions that help our members thrive. We hope to empower attendees in this way forward to credit union growth.”
The featured speakers ready to tackle these issues with the THINK 16 audience include:
- Scott Bales, (@scottebales) futurist specializing in the arena known as “The Digital Shift,” encompassing innovation, culture, design, technology and mobility in a world gone digital.
- Sara Critchfield, (@saracritchfield) digital content strategy consultant, and former founding editorial director of media company Upworthy.
- Ted Gonder, (@tedgonder) co-founder and CEO of MoneyTHINK, dedicated to building the financial capability of young adults through technology-enhanced peer mentorship.
- Whitney Hess, (@whitneyhess) empathy coach who nurtures conscious leaders and advocates to put humanity back into business.
- Tom Kelley, (@IDEO) author of “Creative Confidence, The Art of Innovation” and “The Ten Faces of Innovation,” and a partner at the design and innovation consultancy IDEO.
- Polly LaBarre, (@pollylabarre) founding member, Fast Company magazine, and promoter of collective progress on making all organizations more resilient – and more human.
- Robert Richman, (@robertrichman) culture architect, author of the “Culture Blueprint,” a systematic guide to building high-performance workplaces.
- Max Schorr, (@maxschorr) co-founder and community director of GOOD, an integrated media company for people who want to live well and do good.
THINK 16 is being held at the historic Hotel Del Coronado, in the San Diego area, May 3-6, 2016. Registration is $799 for credit union employees, who may register immediately at http://co-opthink.org.
The THINK brand also now includes regional events throughout the year and a website that focuses on credit union management best practices and innovations. The website provides a blog, library and store, in addition to event information.