I’m back in the office after a life-changing trip to Fishers Indiana. The first annual CU Watercooler Symposium was a giant success. It was an experiment that could have gone totally wrong. As a meeting planner and public speaker for years, I have to say it had so many opportunities to implode. The planning was unconventional, the coordinators for the most part inexperienced, the venue, a credit union – and did I mention in Fishers Indiana?
I was one of 11 editors tasked with pulling this off. I “hired” a speaker for expenses only. Always dicey. Let’s face it – there are two schools of thought on this strategy. You get what you pay for and he doesn’t really have a contract so if something better comes up, I’m screwed.
I met my speaker choice the night before the gig. I trusted that he would a. show up, b. show up sober and c. deliver the goods. I’m happy to say he did all three and more. He was so great CU Times approached him directly after his speech and this appeared by the end of the day!
The Watercooler was streaming live to audiences all over the nation. Most attendees live tweeted. There was no place to hide. The CU Warrior and Tim McAlpine just put it out there. And it was brilliant. They took everything we hold sacred in the conference arena and just tossed it lovingly out the window.
The biggest difference for me though was not the agenda, or the way speakers were “found” but the audience. These people wanted to be there. There was no golf, we stayed at the Hampton, we ate buffet food and we partied at Cheeseburger in Paradise.
It felt like some weird version of summer camp. At the end there was hugging and “see you next years” and a sense of belonging I’ve seldom felt at a regular conference. In just two short days there was bonding on the level of a DE or CUNA Management School. We worked hard, we played hard.
At this stage in my career, I feel very blessed to have been a part of this. A page has turned. Here’s to the next 10 years. The 2020 vision of credit union conferences is changing. Long live the Watercooler!
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November 1, 2010 at 9:14 am
Tweets that mention This video says it all……. « The 2020 Vision of Marketing -- Topsy.com
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November 1, 2010 at 9:31 am
MB
Some of the best brainstorming I’ve ever been part of and from which the best ideas came happened during a night like this with maybe a couple too many beers, lots of music and fun, and bonding. Good stuff!
November 1, 2010 at 9:51 am
James Robert Lay
We are so thankful to have been a part of this experience. When chatting it up over coffee this morning at the office, Jenn Bills (@jennbills) asked how many CEOs were present. I took a look at the attendee list that Matt Davis sent over and only found 4 credit union CEOs on the list (feel free to double check my counting skills: http://cuwatercoolersymposium.eventbrite.com ).
As conversations begin for CU Water Cooler Symposium 2011, how can we help get more decision makers there to join the conversation and discussion.
IMHO, this is the future… looking forward to doing it again.
November 1, 2010 at 10:26 am
Gene Blishen
Well Denise some of us didn’t have the vocal skills to attend the final nights event. In fact getting older just gets you to bed earlier.
I mentioned to a few people that I thought this symposium was right up there with the SeattleBarCampBank. Next year will only get better but you are right when you say there was a bonding level. It was great to see so many old friends and meets so many new ones. What was prevalent was a passion for the credit union movement. It really transcended boundaries. Something like this can only evolve into something much better. Those that missed it really missed something special. Next year people better get their tickets early!
November 1, 2010 at 11:58 am
Brent Dixon
Good grief, that was such a good time. Barb, Amy, and Jeff brought it.
Denise, excellent video work….I’ll never work in this town again.
I miss all of you already.
November 1, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Christopher Morris
Yes – great conference and great music…thanks for posting Jimmy Marks and I bringing back that lovin’ feeling.
November 1, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Nala
The symposium was fantastic. I learned quite a bit. I love the real-time thoughts I and others posted on Twitter during the presentations—there were definitely two levels of interaction that fed the learning and participation. I’m still thinking and talking about it! I hereby volunteer my time to make this happen again next year.
November 1, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Sandy P (CurrencySandy)
Denise, it was so good to meet you (and so many others) in person. I really appreciated the people in the room and the passion we all have for the work we do.
Plus, a few of us sang in public for the first time 🙂 I can’t get Don’t Stop Believin’ out of my head!
November 1, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Amy McGraw @PSCU_Amy
I don’t play golf, can’t afford a spa, and love cheesburgers… for me it was a brilliant experiment. I learned a lot about myself (as well as others) in an arena that felt “safe” and open…even though it was streaming live. It was a bunch of like-minded people cooperatively sharing in an inviting environment….brilliant.
Can’t wait till next year!
November 1, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Amy McGraw @PSCU_Amy
Make that cheesEburgers…someday I’ll learn to proof…sigh.
November 1, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Tim McAlpine
Last week was magic! I’m so glad everyone had such a great experience.
As for your comment, “The coordinators for the most part inexperienced.” I take great exception to that. I’ve held at least two garage sales in my life! 🙂
Seriously though, sometimes inexperience is exactly what’s needed.
November 1, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Denise Wymore
Hey Tim,
You are so right. As I was talking with my boss today and gushing over your success that’s pretty much what she said. Inexperienced program managers aren’t mired in the past. They cannot draw on what worked 10 years ago. They have only a dream, a laptop and some really good friends with balls! There I said it!
November 2, 2010 at 7:13 am
rebecca secor
Thanks for the awesome video Denise!
I’m so glad I only sang and did not dance – whew! Dodged that bullet.
On the serious side, thank you to the CU Water Cooler, Forum team and all the speakers – you’ve re-energized me. It’s wonderful to have the feeling that others in the industry are thinking abouuut (that was a Wisconsin, not Canadian accent) and working on the same things that keep me up at night.
Can’t wait until next year!
November 3, 2010 at 11:40 am
The Elephant (Banker) In The Room « Banking Kismet
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November 4, 2010 at 7:29 am
Dale
Damn! Wish I could be there. Reminds me of karaoke night with a group of friends I have. We call ourselves the Stardust Parrotheads. Anything’s possible there.