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2026 Management Roundtable attendees listen to Adam Schlesinger.
Maine credit union leaders stepped away from their daily routines earlier this week to connect with peers, hear new ideas, and spend time thinking about what is coming next for the industry during the League’s annual Management Roundtable held at the Samoset Resort.
The event brought together CEOs and members of their leadership teams for conversations covering some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing credit unions, from AI and digital currency to creating experiences that keep members and employees engaged.
Adam Schlesinger got things underway with a dynamic discussion on stablecoins and digital assets, helping attendees better understand this rapidly developing area of financial services. He broke down the basics of cryptocurrency, blockchain, and stablecoins, explaining how they work, who the major players are, and the regulatory and market developments financial institutions should be watching.
The discussion also explored how digital currency is beginning to reshape payments and traditional banking, with that shift already well underway in some parts of the world. As federal legislation continues to accelerate the adoption of stablecoins, Schlesinger encouraged credit unions to start considering where the technology may fit into their future strategies and how it could create new opportunities to serve members.
Schlesinger closed his remarks with a presentation on AI and the need for credit unions to move beyond pilot testing. As he put it, “AI is a business decision, not a technology decision.” He focused on governance approaches and shared real-world use cases showing how AI can be deployed at scale to improve efficiency. He also encouraged credit unions to identify internal AI leaders who can take the lead in exploring practical applications, including opportunities to automate policies, procedures, and other routine processes.
Following lunch, Stephen Arnold of Filene Research Institute challenged attendees to think about what makes their credit union stand out. During Remarkable! How Credit Unions Can Make Remarkable Experiences, he explored how credit unions can create encounters that members and employees genuinely remember and talk about, drawing on Filene research related to digital innovation, organizational culture, governance, data, and the member experience.
Arnold continued the conversation with a closer look at what innovation really means for credit unions. He encouraged attendees to look beyond the latest technology or trend and instead focus on recognizing change earlier, responding faster, and finding better ways to serve members.
Those conversations are what make Management Roundtable so valuable each year. Credit union leaders are managing today’s operational needs while also preparing for what’s ahead.
Just as important is the networking outside the formal agenda. The event gives leaders from across Maine a chance to compare experiences, learn from one another, and engage with the League and Synergent.
If you missed this year’s event, make plans to join us next time. The conversations, connections, and ideas shared are what make Management Roundtable one of the League’s most valuable annual gatherings.