Sunday, April 12th
Take advantage of our exclusive room rates and book your stay for any night between Friday, April 10th and Thursday, April 16th. To maximize your experience and ensure you don’t miss anything Monday when the conference kicks off, all attendees should plan to arrive no later than Sunday, April 12th, and check out Thursday, April 16th.
All sponsors and exhibitors are encouraged to arrive Saturday, April 11th, so they can pick up their exhibitor badges early and begin unpacking and assembling their booths Sunday.
All attendees should plan to arrive on Sunday, April 12th so they can stop by and pick up their conference pass at the Forum 2026 Registration Desk on Sunday or first thing Monday morning. Pick up your badge early, before lines get long!
Monday, April 13th
All sponsors and exhibitors are encouraged to arrive Saturday, April 11th, so begin unpacking and assembling their booths. All exhibit booths must be completely set-up no later than 4:00pm on Monday, April 13th.
All attendees should plan to arrive on Sunday, April 12th so they can stop by and pick up their conference pass at the Forum 2026 Registration Desk on Sunday or first thing Monday morning.
Interactive, in-depth, half-day masterclasses exclusive to banks and credit unions only.
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Next-Level Generative AI Applications in Banking
Speaker: Ben Udell, SVP/Product Marketing & Innovation at Marquis
Location: Juniper 1View Session Description
Whether you’re a novice or seasoned expert, this workshop will show you how financial execs across the industry are turning generative AI into a massive competitive advantage. From senior leaders to frontline teams, this session brings everyone to the table in an immersive, interactive, hands-on learning environment.
Dive into practical real-world examples — from customer communications and marketing campaigns, to process automation, training, and much more — as you uncover ways to use AI for critical tasks that will help you become a better communicator, collaborator, and leader.
Don’t miss this workshop; the instructor knows what he’s talking about. Led by the former SVP/Digital Innovation & AI at Lake Ridge Bank for over 13 years, Ben Udell’s sessions have been our highest rated since he first took the stage.
This session will teach banking executives:
- Practical and proven plug-and-play use cases that you can apply immediately
- Effective gen AI prompt strategies that apply across departments
- How to save time and boost creativity using your generative AI tool of choice
- How to encourage broader adoption within your organization without expensive investments in AI platforms
- How your peers have overcome roadblocks to build momentum and move from hesitation to innovation
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16 Brain Science Hacks to Overcome Costly Marketing Mistakes
Speaker: Nancy Harhut, Chief Creative Officer at HBT Marketing
Location: Juniper 2+3View Session Description
Banking executives believe rational, data-driven decisions drive their marketing strategy. But in reality, unseen biases, myths, and blind spots derail their campaigns.
This workshop will show you how to overcome these costly mistakes by revealing the science behind the decision-defaults that guide consumer behavior — what they are, why they work, and how to exploit them — with numerous examples from a variety of verticals.
Through hands-on interactive exercises, you’ll learn 16 proven tactics you can apply immediately — from small copy tweaks to full-blown campaign strategies — that will increase engagement and outperform your competition.
This session will teach banking executives:
- The faulty assumptions and common misconceptions that undermine the “conventional wisdom” of accepted “best practices”
- What behavioral science reveals about how people really make buying decisions
- The subtle differences between campaigns that trigger sales — and those that fall flat
- How to tap into the instinctive shortcuts, biases, and behavioral triggers that drive consumers to take action
- The AI-fueled myth that is tanking marketing messages today and what you should say instead
- The biggest mistake financial marketers are making with their pricing strategies and the simple way to avoid this misstep
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The CMO Playbook
Speaker: Eric Fulwiler, CEO/Co-Founder of Rival
Location: Juniper 4View Session Description
In today’s disruptive environment, the role of CMOs in banking is changing fast. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what the world’s most respected marketing leaders are seeing, thinking, and doing to prepare for the future.
In this workshop, we’ll unpack the major trends, key challenges, and critical opportunities reshaping the future of financial marketing — and what they mean for your strategic plan.
Based on insights gathered from banking’s marketing leaders, this workshop brings to life the real-world strategies and emerging best practices top-performers are using to fuel growth and build their brands.
This session will teach banking executives:
- The major marketing trends and critical growth issues impacting financial institutions of all sizes
- Real-world examples of what’s working right now and what isn’t
- How you need to rethink org design, agency models, and tech stacks to drive impact
- Cross-industry patterns and pitfalls
- Strategies, structures, and campaigns that are delivering results — and what’s falling short
- How to ensure marketing aligns with business strategy and outcomes
- The skills, tools, and frameworks you need to stay ahead of the AI revolution
Enjoy a hearty buffet lunch as the banking industry’s most experienced solutions providers share the latest trends and insights in these educational sessions. These sessions are open to bank and credit union attendees only on a first-come basis. The lineup of Lunch & Learns for Monday will be announced soon!
Interactive, in-depth, half-day masterclasses exclusive to banks and credit unions only.
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Strategic Planning for Banking Execs: Steering Growth Through Disruptive Uncertainty
Speaker: Dr. Sean Payant, President of Haberfeld
Location: Juniper 1View Session Description
In today’s chaotic rapidly evolving financial ecosystem — marked by economic uncertainty, digital disruption, regulatory shifts, interest rate pressure, and rising customer expectations — strategic planning isn’t the annual exercise it once was. Now it is an essential, existential function.
Specifically engineered for CEOs and C-level executives, this focused workshop is designed to help you set the right strategic direction, allocate resources, and drive transformational change at your organization.
Through a blend of executive insights, real-world banking case studies, and interactive discussions, senior leadership teams will explore how to develop a strategic planning process that is both agile and execution-focused. The session will explore how to align strategic initiatives with organizational objectives, respond to market changes, and foster long-term value creation.
This session will teach banking executives:
- Advanced executive-level strategic planning frameworks and best practices
- Navigating economic, regulatory, and technological uncertainty
- How to accelerate the gap between strategy formulation vs. execution.
- Aligning organizational structure and culture with strategic priorities
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The Strategic AI Toolkit: What Everyone in Financial Marketing Needs Now
Speaker: Wil Reynolds, CEO/Founder of Seer Interactive
Location: Juniper 2+3View Session Description
Last year’s marketing playbook doesn’t work anymore. People are asking ChatGPT about mortgage rates, and Google’s AI Overviews answer credit card questions without sending traffic to your site. Competitors are using AI tools to outmaneuver you, and more tools explode onto the market daily. So what happens if your web traffic suddenly goes to zero? It could happen… tomorrow.
This workshop cuts through the AI hype to focus on four critical areas every financial marketer needs to master right now. We’ll share the playbook, the tools we’ve tested, tools we’ve built, and other innovative concepts that have had real impact in bank marketing — what’s working, what’s changing, and what’s to come.
You’ll leave with specific action items, recommendations, and frameworks you can implement immediately, including real-life workflows and team processes proven in regulated industries.
This session will teach banking executives:
- How to restructure the right operating model and scale marketing processes for the AI era
- How to prove marketing ROI and recalibrate KPIs around AI outcomes, even as the funnel keeps shifting
- Strategic approaches to audit, understand, and influence how you (and your competitors) appear in LLMs
- Implement ‘friction-finder systems’ that identify CX breakdowns to quickly cut wasted spend and fix mismatches
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Gen Z & The Future of Finance
Speaker: Juliet D’Ambrosio, CXO at Adrenaline
Location: Juniper 4View Session Description
By 2030, Gen Z will comprise 74% of the global workforce, and engaging these consumers is a tricky balancing act between high-tech and high-touch.
This highly interactive workshop will show you how to deliver the personalized and seamless banking experiences Gen Z demands, while also meeting these digital natives where they are.
Packed with best practices for branding, marketing, and retail design, you’ll gain actionable strategies to break through, connect, and build loyalty with this influential demographic (and beyond).
This session will teach banking executives:
- Strategies from inside and outside the banking industry proven to build loyalty with next-gen consumers
- Real-world case studies from financial institutions successfully repositioning their brands for future growth
- Key findings and insights from research on Gen Z’s banking and brand preferences
- Scorecards to calculate your brand’s strength with Gen Z, and how you stack up against competitors
- How community financial institutions can make the most of their advantage when engaging Gen Z
Back by popular demand! Join two of banking’s most respected and influential thought leaders, Jim Marous and Ron Shevlin, for a lightning-round keynote packed with raw, uncensored insight. Expect candid truths and sharp takes on the critical issues and controversial topics you and your board are wrestling with right now.
Enjoy hot hors d’oeuvres and a hosted open bar as you network with over 2,500 of your peers in the Forum 2026 Marketplace Exhibit Hall.
Enjoy VIP treatment with these special functions including penthouse parties, dinners at the Aria Resort’s finest restaurants, activities like Topgolf, SkyFall Lounge and more!
Tuesday, April 14th
Need help? Have questions. Stop by the Forum 2026 Help Desk, which will remain open throughout the day until 7:00 pm.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and pick up complimentary Starbucks espresso beverages. Full breakfast menu includes hot dishes with eggs and bacon, fruits, cereals, and fresh juices. Vegetarian and gluten free options available.
Start your morning off with a hearty buffet breakfast as the banking industry’s most experienced solution providers share the latest trends and insights in these educational sessions. These sessions are open to bank and credit union attendees only on a first-come basis. The lineup of Power Breakfasts for Tuesday will be announced soon!
World-renowned entrepreneur and best-selling author Will Guidara transformed Eleven Madison Park into the #1 restaurant in the world by turning service into something far more powerful — hospitality that creates wonder. In this heartfelt, inspiring keynote, he reveals how Unreasonable Hospitality — fueled by generosity and intentionality — can reshape culture, ignite teams, and create unforgettable experiences.
The Financial Brand Forum is packed with over 60 how-to sessions. Learn innovative strategies, advanced techniques, and best practices from the brightest minds in banking in these actionable presentations guaranteed to build both your brand and your bottom line. You also have the option to catch Live Demos from many of the banking industry’s most innovative fintechs as they showcase new, cutting-edge banking technologies.
The Financial Brand Forum is packed with over 60 how-to sessions. Learn innovative strategies, advanced techniques, and best practices from the brightest minds in banking in these actionable presentations guaranteed to build both your brand and your bottom line. You also have the option to catch Live Demos from many of the banking industry’s most innovative fintechs as they showcase new, cutting-edge banking technologies.
Enjoy a hearty meal with a hot lunch, dessert and refreshments — not your typical skimpy, cheap conference fare. Vegetarian and gluten free options available. You’ll have an hour and a half to power up with an espresso as you walk the Marketplace Exhibit Hall and engage with 150+ solutions providers.
Enjoy a hearty buffet lunch as the banking industry’s most experienced solutions providers share the latest trends and insights in these educational sessions. These sessions are open to bank and credit union attendees only on a first-come basis. The lineup of Lunch & Learns for Tuesday will be announced soon!
The Financial Brand Forum is packed with over 60 how-to sessions. Learn innovative strategies, advanced techniques, and best practices from the brightest minds in banking in these actionable presentations guaranteed to build both your brand and your bottom line. You also have the option to catch Live Demos from many of the banking industry’s most innovative fintechs as they showcase new, cutting-edge banking technologies.
The Financial Brand Forum is packed with over 60 how-to sessions. Learn innovative strategies, advanced techniques, and best practices from the brightest minds in banking in these actionable presentations guaranteed to build both your brand and your bottom line. You also have the option to catch Live Demos from many of the banking industry’s most innovative fintechs as they showcase new, cutting-edge banking technologies.
Like TEDx for financial institutions, this unique series of short, high-level talks focuses on helping you prepare for the future. Every year The Financial Brand Forum features former TEDx speakers from notable companies like Apple, Disney, Amazon, Google, Facebook, Southwest Airlines, PepsiCo, Pixar, Nintendo, and many others.
Enjoy hot hors d’oeuvres and a hosted open bar as you network with over 2,500 of your peers in the Forum 2026 Marketplace Exhibit Hall.
Enjoy VIP treatment with these special functions including penthouse parties, dinners at the Aria Resort’s finest restaurants, activities like Topgolf, SkyFall Lounge and more!
Wednesday, April 15th
Need help? Have questions. Stop by the Forum 2026 Help Desk, which will remain open throughout the day until 7:00 pm.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and pick up complimentary Starbucks espresso beverages. Full breakfast menu includes hot dishes with eggs and bacon, fruits, cereals, and fresh juices. Vegetarian and gluten free options available.
Start your morning off with a hearty buffet breakfast as the banking industry’s most experienced solution providers share the latest trends and insights in these educational sessions. These sessions are open to bank and credit union attendees only on a first-come basis. The lineup of Power Breakfasts for Wednesday will be announced soon!
Former FBI lead hostage negotiator and best-selling author Chris Voss spent decades negotiating with terrorists and criminals worldwide. In this riveting keynote, he reveals the powerful techniques behind “tactical empathy” — showing banking leaders how to defuse conflict, influence outcomes, and achieve breakthroughs when the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The Financial Brand Forum is packed with over 60 how-to sessions. Learn innovative strategies, advanced techniques, and best practices from the brightest minds in banking in these actionable presentations guaranteed to build both your brand and your bottom line. You also have the option to catch Live Demos from many of the banking industry’s most innovative fintechs as they showcase new, cutting-edge banking technologies.
The Financial Brand Forum is packed with over 60 how-to sessions. Learn innovative strategies, advanced techniques, and best practices from the brightest minds in banking in these actionable presentations guaranteed to build both your brand and your bottom line. You also have the option to catch Live Demos from many of the banking industry’s most innovative fintechs as they showcase new, cutting-edge banking technologies.
Enjoy a hearty meal with a hot lunch, dessert and refreshments — not your typical skimpy, cheap conference fare. Vegetarian and gluten free options available. You’ll have an hour and a half to power up with an espresso as you walk the Marketplace Exhibit Hall and engage with 150+ solutions providers.
Enjoy a hearty buffet lunch as the banking industry’s most experienced solutions providers share the latest trends and insights in these educational sessions. These sessions are open to bank and credit union attendees only on a first-come basis. The lineup of Lunch & Learns for Wednesday will be announced soon!
The Financial Brand Forum is packed with over 60 how-to sessions. Learn innovative strategies, advanced techniques, and best practices from the brightest minds in banking in these actionable presentations guaranteed to build both your brand and your bottom line. You also have the option to catch Live Demos from many of the banking industry’s most innovative fintechs as they showcase new, cutting-edge banking technologies.
The Financial Brand Forum is packed with over 60 how-to sessions. Learn innovative strategies, advanced techniques, and best practices from the brightest minds in banking in these actionable presentations guaranteed to build both your brand and your bottom line. You also have the option to catch Live Demos from many of the banking industry’s most innovative fintechs as they showcase new, cutting-edge banking technologies.
Like TEDx for financial institutions, this unique series of short, high-level talks focuses on helping you prepare for the future. Every year The Financial Brand Forum features former TEDx speakers from notable companies like Apple, Disney, Amazon, Google, Facebook, Southwest Airlines, PepsiCo, Pixar, Nintendo, and many others.
Enjoy VIP treatment with these special functions including penthouse parties, dinners at the Aria Resort’s finest restaurants, activities like Topgolf, SkyFall Lounge and more!