Cooperative Connection Monthly News

October 30, 2026 | Issue 10

APEX 2026: The Energy, the Connections, the Experience

Better and better, bringing more to the credit union community

There are some weeks that leave you both energized and completely exhausted. APEX is always one of them.

APEX 2026 at Mohegan Sun was a tremendous success, bringing together credit union leaders, professionals, partners and friends from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware, Rhode Island and Connecticut. It was a full of learning, networking, engaging, reconnecting, and celebrating everything that makes our community so special.

And yes, by the end of it, we were tired. But it was the good kind of tired. The kind that comes from meaningful conversations, new ideas, packed sessions, late-night networking and the energy of more than a thousand people who genuinely enjoy being together and learning from one another.

Every year, we say APEX keeps getting better. And somehow, every year, it does.

Record-Breaking Attendance

APEX 2026 welcomed a record-breaking 1,000 participants to Mohegan Sun, bringing together credit union leaders and industry partners from across five states. The convention also featured its largest exhibit hall to date, with 130 exhibitors showcasing innovative products, services and solutions. The strong turnout and bustling exhibit hall created opportunities to reconnect with colleagues, exchange ideas and build relationships that strengthen the credit union community.

This does not happen by accident. It takes an incredible amount of planning, coordination and teamwork from the CCUA and Connecticut’s Credit Unions teams. It also takes the support of our partners, sponsors, and exhibitors. Most importantly, it takes credit union leaders who make the commitment to attend, participate and share their experiences with colleagues from across the region. Together, that support and engagement make APEX what it is, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships and discover solutions that help credit unions better serve their members.

The Return of the Solutions Stage

The Solutions Stage returned to APEX with an engaging lineup of presentations, discussions, demos, and case studies, featuring innovative companies and industry solutions. Facilitated by Mark Sievewright of CU Leadership, the stage offered a conversational, interactive approach to exploring the tech, products and services shaping the credit union industry. The stage once again proved to be a popular destination for fresh perspectives, practical ideas and meaningful dialogue.

APEX is about more than the agenda. It is about the people. It is seeing colleagues from across five states sharing ideas and experiences. It is watching new connections form between credit unions and partners. It is recognizing excellence, celebrating leadership and taking time to appreciate the cooperative spirit that continues to make our industry different.

From the Main Stage to the Learning Labs

A dynamic speaker lineup kicked off with Phil Gwoke exploring the multigenerational workforce, followed by cybersecurity expert and ethical hacker Bryan Seely on Thursday morning. NBA legend Kevin McHale drew a standing-room-only crowd with insights on leadership and teamwork, while Friday's keynote speaker, Scott Simpson, President of America's Credit Unions, discussed the industry's evolving landscape. Beyond the main stage, Learning Labs offered focused discussions and practical takeaways for credit unions.

As we look back on APEX 2026, I am grateful to everyone who attended, participated, sponsored, presented and helped make the week such a success. The energy at Mohegan Sun was a powerful reminder that our credit union community is strong, collaborative and ready for what comes next.

Now that we have had a little time to recover, the planning for next year begins. Because apparently, “better and better” is now the standard.