Be inspired
Attend the general sessions to hear insightful and motivating talks from renowned speakers.
Travis Mills: Never give up, never quit
Retired United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills’ story is one of survival, resilience and service.
In 2012, Mills was critically injured by an improvised explosive device while on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division, losing portions of both arms and both legs. He is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
With the support of his family, friends and medical staff, Mills underwent 19 months of rehabilitation, relearning how to walk and use his new prosthetics. Shifting his mindset to one of gratitude is what helped him get through that challenging time.
“[It was about] understanding that I was one of the lucky ones to make it back home, and not being upset about what happened to me by dwelling on it,” he says. “[I realized] I got the chance to come back home, so I should make the most of my time that I have.”
And he has. In 2013, with the help of a loan from Kennebec Savings Bank in Augusta, Maine, Mills and his wife Kelsey founded the Travis Mills Foundation. The nonprofit organization provides free programming and retreats for injured post-9/11 veterans and their families, offering adaptive activities, support and connection.
“Even though I couldn’t serve my country in the capacity I did before, I could still serve veterans and their families,” says Mills.
Mills now shares his message of perseverance with people all over the nation.
“No matter what they face in life, they can always overcome any obstacle, any struggle,” he says. “Keep yourself motivated and keep pushing forward to a better future, because no matter what you face, you always get over, go through, go under [and] go around.”
Hear more of Mills’ inspiring and uplifting story in his keynote speech during the Saturday, March 7, general session from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. “[You] don’t need to bring a box of Kleenexes, because we'll laugh more than we'll cry,” he says.
Ryan Leak: Leveling up leaders
Ryan Leak, a dynamic speaker and best-selling author, is set to deliver an inspiring keynote that promises to leave an impact on current and aspiring community banking leaders. Known for his ability to transform setbacks into opportunities, Leak speaks on resilience, leadership and the power of embracing failure as a stepping stone to success.
As the CEO of a leadership development firm, Leak has trained more than 30,000 leaders annually, ranging from Fortune 500 executives to professional sports teams. Drawing from his acclaimed books, including “Chasing Failure, Leveling Up” and his newest release, “How to Work with Complicated People,” he offers actionable insights with a touch of humor to help individuals and organizations unlock their full potential.
Leak’s storytelling ability, combined with his deep understanding of human dynamics, ensures a captivating experience. Whether he's sharing lessons from his viral wedding proposal or strategies for navigating complex workplace relationships, Leak’s relatable approach resonates with diverse audiences. In his presentations, he challenges leaders to push past autopilot, embrace challenges, and level up in their personal and professional lives.
Hear from Leak during the Sunday, March 8, general session from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Learn from experts
Choose from over 50 Learning Labs across seven different education tracks, designed to help you stay competitive in a rapidly changing world. Here’s a preview of what’s in store.
Workforce development
Give your bank a competitive advantage when recruiting, retaining and rewarding employees. Sessions in this track will help ensure that your employment practices, policies and procedures reflect industry best practices.
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Success is Succession
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Strategic Thinking at Every Level: Building a Culture of Forward-Thinking Leadership
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From Busy Work to Better Banking: How AI Helps You Be More Human
Fraud, Cybersecurity & Risk
Explore the latest trends, safeguards and strategies in fraud prevention, cybersecurity and risk management.
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How Fraudsters Target Community Banks and How You Can Play Defense
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Data-Defense: Fighting Fraud in Community Banking
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Battling Crypto Fraud: Trends, Strategies and Regulation
Regulation & Bank Examinations
Stay up to date on the supervisory, regulatory and operational risk issues at the federal level.
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Regulatory 911! How to Properly Respond to Regulatory Emergencies
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Model Risk Management Made Simple: A Compliance Roadmap
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CRA Risk Management: Staying Compliant
Lending & Deposits
Gain insight and guidance for today’s lending and retail environments, from agriculture and small businesses to consumer and commercial products.
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Maximizing Deposit Strategies: Balancing Organic Growth and Wholesale Funding
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How Artificial Intelligence Could Change Agricultural Finance
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Direct or Agent? Navigating Card Issuing Models for Community Banks
Growth & Marketing
Grow your business and reach new customers. At these Learning Labs, you’ll learn strategies for revenue generation, customer engagement and organization expansion.
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The Consumer Confidence Curve: Understanding How AI Is Shaping Trust and Decision-Making in Bank Marketing
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Customer Experience Management: Lead it or Lose it
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AI With No Judgment: A Learning Lab for Community Bank Marketers
Digital Transformation & Innovation
Technology can enhance your bank’s bottom line, increase operations efficiencies, support evolving payment systems and boost bank competitiveness. The exciting sessions in this track tell you how.
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The Future-Ready Community Bank: Harnessing AI to Compete and Thrive
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Navigating the Stablecoin Seas: What Community Bankers Need to Know
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Generative & Agentic AI: Driving Customer Experience, Workforce Readiness, and Efficiency
Management & Strategy
re you a current or aspiring community bank leader? Learn about the key trends, disruptive opportunities and proven business strategies of successful banks.
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Unlocking the Small Business Opportunity for Community Banks
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The Business of Banking: Profitability at Any Asset Size
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Improving Your Bank’s Capital Stack
ICBA LIVE in numbers
6 events not to miss
Whether it’s your first time here or you’re an industry veteran, these events should be on your radar.
1. First-Time Banker Reception
Thursday, March 5, 5:30–7:00 p.m.
First time attending ICBA LIVE? This is your opportunity to mingle with other new attendees and meet ICBA staff and leaders. Learn how to make the most of your time at ICBA LIVE and get answers to any questions you may have about the annual conference.
2. Welcome Reception
Friday, March 6, 4:30–6:00 p.m.
We’ll officially kick off ICBA LIVE in southern California style, with a “Surf Shack Social” welcome reception in the Expo. You’re invited to mingle and exchange ideas with solution providers and network with peers while enjoying some specialty cocktails, local brews and a lively, surf-inspired atmosphere that will leave everyone in attendance wanting to hang ten.
3. ThinkTECH Showcase
Friday, March 6, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Hear from the latest ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator cohort. These fintech leaders will share their innovative, market-tested solutions for community banks’ most pressing needs. This is your opportunity to knock out hours of strategy and planning in a single session.
4. ICBA LIVE Expo
Friday, March 6, 2:30–6 p.m. | Saturday, March 7, 12:15–3:30 p.m.
Connect with more than 200 vendors showcasing financial solutions and offering expertise for community banks. Enjoy one-on-one conversations and learn about products firsthand. The Expo is ongoing throughout ICBA LIVE, so multiple visits are encouraged.
5. ICBA Bank Director Current Issues Seminar
Friday, March 6, 8:00 a.m.–noon
This half-day session is essential for bank directors looking to stay informed and proactive in navigating the complexities of the banking industry. Gain insights from industry experts on the latest issues affecting community bankers. Attendees will also hear information about leadership succession and why it’s critical for a bank’s continued success. Additional registration required. Registration and continental breakfast will be available at 7 a.m.
6. ICBA PAC Auction
Saturday, March 7, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Help ICBA PAC—the only political action committee to solely serve community banks—chart a new course at the 37th annual auction. At this yacht-rock themed celebration, every bid raises funds to help ICBA PAC navigate the ever-changing political waters in Washington and champion community banking.
5 things to do in San Diego
Want to explore San Diego during or after ICBA LIVE? Make the most of your time in America’s Finest City with these top experiences.
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Hop onboard an Old Town Trolley Tour to see the best of San Diego, from the historic Old Town to the iconic Hotel Del Coronado. trolleytours.com/san-diego
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Visit the USS Midway Museum to learn about naval aviation history through interactive exhibits and guided tours aboard a historic aircraft carrier. midway.org
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Explore the La Jolla Tide Pools at low tide to see vibrant marine life, from anemones and crabs to octopi and sea stars. lajollabythesea.com
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Experience a breathtaking array of color at the Carlsbad Flower Fields. March is when the ranunculus flowers start to bloom, so book tickets early. theflowerfields.com
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Stroll through the Gaslamp Quarter, a historic downtown neighborhood dubbed the heart and soul of San Diego with a mix of restaurants, bars, venues, and shopping. gaslamp.org
Don’t miss the closing night celebrations!
End your ICBA LIVE experience on a high note at Sunday’s Night to Celebrate closing event, filled with dinner, drinks and performances that will round out an incredible three days in San Diego. Attendees will enjoy a reception at the Marriott Marquis before heading back to the San Diego Convention Center for dinner and a headline performance from chart-topping country music star Sara Evans.