CUNA’s GAC is the credit union movement’s premier political event and its largest national conference, each year providing more than 4,000 credit union executives and board members an opportunity to hear influential leaders from Congress, the Administration and the federal regulatory agencies.  Capitol Hill visits, when attendees meet face-to-face with their members of Congress and staff to discuss issues that concern the credit union movement, will take place the afternoon of Wednesday, March 21, and the morning of Thursday, March 22.

“This year’s GAC theme, Powerful Cause.  Positive Effect, sums up precisely what the Governmental Affairs Conference is all about,” said Bill Cheney, President and CEO of CUNA.  “Our powerful cause, backed by 93 million working Americans who rely on credit unions every day, needs grassroots representation in Washington.  At the GAC, credit union leaders from around the country will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with their members of Congress and effect positive change for the credit union movement.  We need the support of every credit union leader in the movement to accomplish our political goals in the year ahead, to champion the credit union issues of today and usher in a brighter future for credit unions tomorrow.”

Recognized as the key conference to attend for political impact, credit union networking and industry updates, the GAC also offers a wide array of educational breakout sessions, the industry’s largest exhibitor showcase, guest/family programs to tour Washington’s sights, and special entertainment including an opening concert and the closing Gala Reception and Dance.

CUNA’s 2012 GAC Keynote Speakers

Condoleezza Rice

As one of the most prominent members of President George W. Bush’s Cabinet, Condoleezza Rice became a political and academic figure who has won enormous respect both in the United States and worldwide.  Before serving as America’s 66th US secretary of state, Rice served as assistant to the president for national security affairs from January 2001 to 2005.  Outside of Washington, Rice has led an impressive academic career, joining the Stanford University faculty as a professor of political science in 1981 and serving as Stanford University’s provost from 1993 to 1999. She currently teaches Political Economy in the Graduate School of Business at Stanford.

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein are the game-changing American journalists responsible for breaking the Watergate scandal, later chronicled in their book and subsequent movie, “All the President’s Men.”  They are reuniting on the speaking stage to mark the 40^thanniversary of their first shared Watergate byline.  Beginning with thatWashington Post story in June 1972, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein set a new standard for Washington journalism and in-depth, behind-the-scenes reporting on the American presidency. Together, Woodward and Bernstein will tell the stories behind their newspaper work and books, offering a unique, riveting and personal tour of politics and Washington.

Addressing the weaknesses and strengths of eight presidents, their presentation will provide a vivid lesson in leadership.  They will explore the impact and methods of the modern media from their own police-beat-style reporting to the radical changes brought by the internet, cable news and social networking tools and sound off on the future of reporting.   Following their remarks,  they will do a book signing session for GAC attendees.

Additional speakers and session topics will be announced in the weeks to come.  For more information and to register, please go to gac.cuna.org.