2026 Credit Union Conference

Join Us September 2nd-3rd!

Register

Our always-popular credit union client conference is back and better than ever. As always, the conference will feature exceptional educational sessions and unparalleled opportunities to network with your peers.

Cost to register: $275/attendee (early bird)/$325/attendee (normal registration)

Register by 6/30/2026 for early bird pricing!

Agenda

  • 6:00 pm: Welcome Reception at Smitty’s Study Pub

    Join us at Smitty’s Study Pub (located on the 8th floor of the Fluno Center) as we welcome everyone arriving in Madison the night before the conference kicks off. Enjoy views of downtown Madison while networking with your peers.

    The first round is on Stark!

    • 8:45-9:30: Pre-Conference Strategy Session: Details coming soon!

    • 9:30-10:00: Registration

    • 10:00-10:30: Introductions and Housekeeping

    • 10:30-4:15: Educational Sessions. Details coming soon!

    • 6:00-9:00: Reception at Nitro Cocktail Lounge

      Reception tickets must be purchased with registration. Tickets include food and drinks.

    • 7:30-8:30 am: Breakfast

    • 8:30 am - 2:00 pm: Educational Sessions. Details coming soon!

    • 2:00-2:15: Wrap up, door prizes and adjourn

Register

Featured Speakers

  • Stefanie’s reputation for quality work and a positive attitude is an ideal match for any client.

    Stefanie shows up to work every day with two goals in mind: to be accessible to her clients and to provide creative solutions when complex issues arise. Stefanie primarily represents credit unions, banks, and auto financiers in Indiana and across the U.S., on a broad range of legal and regulatory issues. She advises on trust and estate matters, employment issues, and litigation. She also handles replevins and collection-related matters as well as transactional work, including repossession letter reviews, contract reviews, and negotiation. Stefanie’s external compliance work covers the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA); Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA); Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA); and the Truth in Lending Act (TILA).

    Stefanie hails from Centerville, a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, and currently resides in Indianapolis. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.

  • Nate joined the Stark Collection Agency in 2010, working part-time as a collector while he was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  He now serves as Stark’s Chief Operating Officer and Director of Compliance and oversees all aspects of Stark’s operations, including strategic direction, workflow design, client education, and compliance.

    Nate holds the Credit and Collections Compliance Officer (CCCO) designation through ACA International and the Leadership Development Certificate through the University of Wisconsin Small Business Development Center. Nate serves on the Great Lakes Credit and Collection Association (GLCCA) board of directors, where he is the immediate pastPresident. In 2019, Nate was nominated for the Madison Magnet Award and the Receivables Advisor Professional of the Year award. He is passionate about improving financial literacy, particularly among youth.  

Register

Hotel Information

The Fluno Center

601 University Ave

Madison, WI 53715

608-441-7117

Use the link above to reserve your room at our discounted block rate. You may also reserve your room by calling 608-441-7117.

Room rate: $180/night

Reserve your room by 8/4/2025 to guarantee receiving the block rate discount. Parking at the Fluno Center ($15/night) can be added to your reservation. You may also self-park in nearby parking ramps.

Rooms are available as part of the Stark block on the nights of 9/1 and 9/2. Rooms may not be available at the block rate on 9/3-9/4.

Reserve Your Room

Cocktails and Collections Reception

Join us on Wednesday, September 2nd for a private reception celebration at Nitro Beverage Lounge. Enjoy unique drinks, good food, and great companionship - in the heart of downtown Madison.

Nitro is a boutique cocktail lounge that offers creative cocktails, beer, coffee and a variety of soft drinks. It’s the perfect venue to unwind, relax and network with your peers.

Reception tickets must be purchased with registration. Tickets include heavy appetizers and drinks.

Cost: $75/person.

Register

Hear from Previous Attendees

  • "Whether you are new to collections or a seasoned veteran, I highly recommend attending these conferences. Even after being in the industry for over 20 years, I can still learn something new every day in the ever-changing environment. These conferences are well run, on topic, and well worth the minimal expense."

    Dan Vande Zande, Landmark Credit Union

  • Veridian Credit Union

    "The annual Stark conference is one of the best! The roundtable discussions are tremendously valuable, the atmosphere promotes participation, and collaboration amongst industry peers is sure to leave you walking away with new ideas. I've been able to walk away from each conference feeling invigorated with fresh ideas to bring back to my teams."

    Christina Christensen, Veridian Credit Union

  • Co-Op Credit Union

    "We look forward to the conference every year, not only for the fun that we have, but also the wealth of collection-specific knowledge that is provided!"

    Beth Berg, Co-Op Credit Union

  • Blackhawk Community Credit Union

    "The Stark Collection Agency's collection conference is a highly valuable experience, offering a unique opportunity to gain expert insights, network with industry professionals, and enhance your knowledge of the latest trends and best practices in collections. It's definitely worth attending for anyone looking to advance their expertise in the field."

    Jacquie Fox, Blackhawk Community Credit Union

Register