In about six weeks the National Credit Union Foundation will host the glitziest night of the credit union year, the Wegner Awards Dinner. The Washington, DC-event, held in conjunction with CUNA's GAC, is a black tie affair that is part Senior Prom, part Class Graduation, recognizing people and the movement for their extraordinary contributions.
What it is not, is a money-maker. That may come as a surprise to some, as tickets are $225 a pop, and there are usually more than 1,000 people in attendance. But if you've ever shopped the Hotel Banquet Catalog, then you also know their motto: "Recession? What recession?"
In addition to renting the facility at the Hyatt and feeding the masses, the NCUF pays to produce videos of each of the winners, and the winners and their guest also do not pay to attend.
"We do not make money on it," said outgoing NCUF Exec Director Steve Delfin. "That's not a negative, we build that into our budget. Ultimately we would like it for it to break even and would like to find an underwriter. But it also does have lots of commercial value and publicity for the foundation."
