Marketing & Business Development Certification School 2026
Marketing & Business Development Certification School 2026
Overview
Transform your marketing and business development career with your professional designation
Take your career to the next level by mastering the skills that matter most in marketing and business development. Over four days, you’ll participate in sessions that strengthen your expertise in areas like prospect pipeline management, boosting sales, differentiation strategies, maximizing social media, reputation management, and storytelling.
You’ll work alongside peers to earn either the Credit Union Certified Marketing Executive (CUCME) designation or the Certified Credit Union Business Development Professional (CBDP) designation. Choose from two tracks—Marketing or Business Development—to tailor your experience to your professional goals.
What you'll learn
Marketing Track
This track puts you on the path to earning the CUCME designation, a three-year credential that demonstrates your excellence and leadership in credit union marketing.
- Learn to build strategic marketing plans that align with your credit union’s goals.
- Strengthen your understanding of public relations, market research, and segmentation.
- Discover how to use data to measure ROI and refine your marketing approach.
Business Development Track
This single-year track leads to the CBDP designation, recognizing your mastery of business development.
- Learn to design and implement strategies that drive member retention, member recruitment, and credit union growth.
- Strengthen your understanding of business development strategies, financials, and target markets.
- Gain insights to build relationships that strengthen your credit union’s community presence.
Who should attend
Marketing track
- Credit union marketing directors and managers
- Credit union marketers seeking to earn their CUCME designation
Business Development track
- Credit union business development directors and managers
- Credit union business development professionals seeking to earn their CBDP designation
Earn your designation
Take your marketing and business development skills to the next level by adding the Credit Union Certified Marketing Executive (CUCME) TM designation or the Certified Credit Union Business Development Professional (CBDP) TM designation to your name.
This school follows specific tracks to earn each designation.
- To earn the CUCME designation, you must register for and complete all three years of the Marketing track.
- To earn the CBDP designation, you must register for and complete the single year of the Business Development track.
| Note: These tracks are separate and cannot be changed onsite. Please register for the track that best fits your interests. |
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Schedule
Stay tuned! The final schedule will be shared closer to the event. While the schedule is being finalized, preview the topics covered in each track.
- Strategic marketing
- Public relations and reputation management
- Building a relevant brand experience
- Retail marketing
- Market research
- Persuasive communication
- Aligning marketing with credit union strategy
- Leadership skills
- Marketing plan and budget development
- Identifying and implementing trends
- Member retention
- Calculating ROI
- Content marketing
- Market segmentation
- Digital marketing
- Engaging internal stakeholders
- Business development strategy
- Determining target markets
- Building a pipeline
- Member recruitment and retention
- Sales skills
- Presentation skills
- Metrics and tracking
- Community and SEG events
- Engaging SEGs and community partners
- Understanding financials
- Social media for business development
- Networking
Share your thoughtsBy completing this short survey, please tell us what topics matter most to you and what you hope to find on this year’s schedule. |
Pricing & Registration
Early bird price until July 28, 2026
Members in multiple categories receive the lowest price.
Member discounts
All credit unions are invited to register for this event. Members receive a significant discount.
Additional discounts available to member credit unions:
- Less than $50 million in assets save 20%
- Council members save 25%
- League staff save 20%
- Multi-Attendee discount - Register four attendees and get the 5th free
Please include all registrations in the same order for the discount to apply
Only one discount can be applied per registration. If a registration qualifies for more than one discount, the highest-value discount will be applied.
Other non-credit union attendees should contact us to confirm eligibility.
Need help accessing member pricing? Contact 800-356-9655 or hello@americascreditunions.org.
Hotel & Travel
Experience true Southern hospitality as elegance meets modern luxury at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. This four-diamond hotel sits on the scenic Savannah River, offering modern amenities and stunning views.
Recommended travelArrive: Sunday, September 27. Sessions begin on Monday morning, September 28. Nearest airport: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) |
Nearby attractions
The resort provides convenient access to Savannah’s famous historic district, harbor, and Southern coastline.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
1 Resort Dr
Savannah, GA 31421
(912) 201-2000
Hotel reservation deadline
September 4, 2026*
Room rate
$312 + taxes
Hotel reservation
(800) 937-8461
*Room rates and availability cannot be guaranteed. Rooms may be sold out prior to the reservation deadline, so make your reservations early! Room reservations and fees are the responsibility of the registrant. To claim this room rate, call for reservations and reference America's Credit Unions.
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT
Discounted airfare through our airline partners:
Delta Airlines
- Book your Delta flight online
- Call to book: (800) 328-1111
- Use code NY3XT
- Mon – Fri | 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. ET
*Please note there are no service fees for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.
United Airlines
- Book your United flight online
- Call to book: (800) 426-1122
- Use code ZR7G651311
- Mon – Fri | 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. ET
Attendee Info
Code of Conduct
We want everyone's event experience to be welcoming, respectful, and safe. For more information, see our Code of Conduct.
Cancellations
All cancellations must be received in writing. Please explain the cancellation briefly and submit it via email to hello@americascreditunions.org. Cancellations received more than 30 days before the event are subject to a 25% administrative fee on the order total. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received on or after 30 days before the event. Substitutions are accepted before the start of the program. Additional costs may apply. Please provide the event name, current participant name, and new participant name to hello@americascreditunions.org.
Sponsors
Sponsor this event
America’s Credit Unions events provide great opportunities to build relationships and get your brand in front of credit union leaders around the country.
