ZENITH08 Grand Sessions
Thursday Grand Session
Secrets of Growing a Successful Ohio Business

To become successful personally and as a business leader, you must balance ambition and risk, while fueling yourself with desire and motivation. Thursday’s keynote speaker ANGIE HICKS grew her consumer referral company Angie’s List from a start-up in Bexley, Ohio, into a nationally-known enterprise.

Hear how this fellow Ohioan took a small business with a mission of service, like credit unions, and built an empire. She’ll share how she grew the company, what choices she made, what fundamental strategies she followed, and how she consistently shares her company’s mission with customers. Gain insight into managing the tricky path of success, and how start-ups in Ohio can make it big.

Sponsored by :
 

Friday Grand Session
 Celebrating Our Inspiring Philosophy

Philosophy is the fundamental root of credit unions. Rejuvenate and celebrate the Credit Union Movement, its philosophies, its uniqueness, and how it does and can improve the lives of Ohioans.

PAUL HAZEN, President/CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association, is a leader in the cooperative movement. A zealous cooperative champion, Hazen has outlined seven fundamental cooperative principles that staff, volunteers, and members should understand and appreciate regarding the value proposition of our cooperative model. He will share his passionate opinion about the fundamentals of cooperatives and how they can inspire your day-to-day operations.

Hear CAROL SCHILLIOS’ amazing story of creating micro-finance programs in foreign countries. Hear how her passion for credit unions and their capacity for changing people’s lives led her on a life-changing mission. Schillios won the 2007 Herb Wegner Memorial Award -- the Movement’s highest honor -- for Individual Achievement for her work with some of the world’s neediest people, and with national leaders and presidents. Watch a brief video about her work.

Sponsored by:
 

Special ZENITH08 Guests

Alonzo Swann, Region III Director of the National Credit Union Administration, will share detailed insight into the priorities of the federal credit union regulatory agency and its examiners, and other issues of interest. In an open-forum, participants will be welcome ask Swann their questions.

Rose Bartolomucci, Deputy Superintendent for Credit Unions from the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions, will share detailed insight into the priorities of the state credit union regulatory agency and its examiners, and other issues of interest. In an open-forum, participants will be welcome ask Bartolomucci their questions.

ZENITH08 Schedule
Thursday, April 24 Friday, April 25
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Welcome Center
Pick up your name badge, commemorative ZENITH messenger bag (sponsored by R.C. Olmstead), and on-site materials. New technology will make registering faster than ever. Touch base with League staff and greet your fellow credit union leaders as they arrive.

9:00-9:50 a.m.
"Big Picture" Breakout Sessions
Choose between sessions exploring state and national credit union trends and future opportunities, or why some mid-size and small credit unions thrive while others struggle with declining membership, shriveling real assets, and anemic earnings and the nine qualities of America’s thriving mid-size and small credit unions

10:00-11:20 a.m.
Grand Session:
Secrets of Growing a Successful Ohio Business
Sponsored by American Share Insurance
Be a part of the Marching Miles for Miracle Kids culmination and check presentation. Hear how a local Ohioan started a business from scratch and became nationally successful. See the state's top leadership award winners recognized. See details to the left.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Private CEO Reception
CEOs, board chairs, and one guest are invited to partake in this private viewing of the expo hall. Get one-on-one time with vendors while enjoying complimentary beverages and food.

Concurrent Inspiration Sessions
For those not attending the reception, enjoy a live taping of Home & Family Finance, a nationally-broadcasted consumer awareness radio program sponsored by America's Credit Unions, or learn more about the amazing international outreach projects of the World Council of Credit Unions that are changing lives.

12:30-2:00 p.m.
Expo Hall Grand Opening
Enjoy a complimentary walk-around lunch while getting your first look at the dozens of exhibits in the expo hall.

2:00-2:50 p.m.
Speed Networking
 Get to know several of your credit union peers during this organized networking sessions. In this facilitated one-on-one setting, you'll get chance to discuss issues, successes, and thoughts with leaders from credit unions of similar assets sizes.

3:00-4:50 p.m.
Inspiration Sessions
Another new feature of ZENITH, breakout sessions are available in two formats to suit people's learning preferences. Sky High sessions provide a 30,00-foot perspective of issues in 20 minutes. Deep Dive sessions explore the nitty-gritty details of issues during 50 minutes.

Sky High Deep Dive
3:00-3:20 p.m.
Choose from three "Sky High" session topics		 3:00:-3:50 p.m.
Choose from four "Deep Dive" session topics
3:30-3:50 p.m.
Choose from three new "Sky High"  topics
4:00-4:20 p.m.
First three sessions are repeated		 4:00-4:50 p.m.
Repeat four "Deep Dive" session topics
4:30-5:00 p.m.
Other three sessions are repeated

5:00-6:15 p.m.
Expo Hall: Another Look
Take advantage of this extra 75 minutes to speak with exhibiting companies about how their products and services can improve your credit union. Enjoy games and prizes.

7:00-11:00 p.m.
Spirits and Friendship
Sponsored by Corporate One FCU

Hang out at the Hyatt’s Market Stand Café and enjoy food and drinks, reconnect with old friends and build upon new acquaintances, bid in a wine auction to benefit Marching Miles, kick back with big screen TVs showing the evening’s hottest sports games, and belt out some hits during late-night karaoke.

Don’t miss special guest two-time Heisman Trophy winner and Ohio State University football legend ARCHIE GRIFFIN. Get Griffin’s autograph and hear his inspiring point-of-view on life.

 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Welcome Center
Friday-only attendees can check in at the Welcome Center and collect their event materials. League staff will be on-hand to provide assistance to all participants throughout the day.

8:00-9:15 a.m.
Ohio Credit Union League Invitational
After a succinct League annual meeting, two guest speakers will discuss the critical issues of credit union capitalization, and explore the difficult question of how much is too much capital. Complimentary breakfast.

9:30-11:00 a.m.
Grand Session:
Celebrating Our Inspiring Philosophy
Sponsored by Corporate One FCU
Inspirational and motivational cooperative movement leaders will wow and inspire you to return to your credit union and rededicate yourself to the philosophy of People Helping People. Corporate One FCU will conduct its annual meeting. See details to the left.

11:10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Round Robin Breakouts
With the many issues facing your credit union, are you utilizing all of the services and products offered to you by the Ohio Credit Union System? These brief sessions will provide insight into how the System's services can make life easier at your credit union. Each session will be held twice for your convenience.

11:10-11:30 a.m.
Choose from one of eight sessions
11:40 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Choose from one of eight sessions
(Includes four new sessions and four repeated sessions)
12:10-12:30 p.m.
Choose from one of eight sessions
(Eight previous sessions repeated)

12:30-2:30 p.m.
Expo Hall Finale
Enjoy another complimentary walk-around lunch while cruising the expo hall during its final hours. Make sure you've met with the vendors you wanted to see. Check out the ZENITH's Virtual Expo Hall, which will allow you to find business partners and solutions throughout the year.

Meet and greet state and national regulatory officials, including National Credit Union Administration Region III Director Alonzo Swann, Ohio Division of Financial Institutions Deputy Superintendent for Credit Unions Rose Bartolomucci, and National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors President/CEO Mary Martha Fortney.

Get an up-close look at several animals during a special live exhibit by the Columbus Zoo in the hall. Exhibitors will announce their prize winners during the final 30 minutes.

2:30-4:20 p.m.
Inspiration Sessions
Choose from another round of all-new Sky high and Deep Dive inspiration sessions. Among the sessions, focus groups will provide first-hand exposure to everyday consumers’ perceptions, understanding, and misunderstanding of credit unions. You'll be able to ask the groups' panelists the questions on your mind.

Sky High Deep Dive
2:30-2:50 p.m.
Choose from three "Sky High" session topics		 2:30-3:20 p.m.
Choose from four "Deep Dive" session topics
3:00-3:20 p.m.
Choose from three new "Sky High"  topics
3:30-3:50 p.m.
First two sessions are repeated, plus one new topic!		 3:30-4:20 p.m.
Repeat two previous "Deep Dive" session topics, plus one new topic!
4:00-4:20 p.m.
Three sessions are repeated

4:30-6:15 p.m.
Farewell Barbeque Supper
It’s time to bring ZENITH08 to a close and say goodbye to your new and long-time credit union friends. Before hitting the road to head back home, grab a hearty and satisfying bite to eat and say farewell, compliments of the Chapters of the Ohio Credit Union League. Get in some last-minute networking during this closing event’s laid back and informal atmosphere.

Don’t forget to take advantage of this final opportunity to speak with staff of the Ohio Credit Union League. The supper takes place in the late afternoon, leaving you with plenty of time to get on the road home, so plan on stopping by.