NEFMA 2025 Spring Conference: A Standout Gathering in Portland, Maine

If you were lucky enough to join the 2025 NEFMA Spring Conference in beautiful Portland, Maine, you know firsthand that this year’s event raised the bar for regional financial marketing gatherings. The agenda was packed with forward-thinking sessions, valuable networking, and a dynamic speaker lineup. Held at the charming Portland Regency Hotel & Spa, the conference blended coastal New England charm with cutting-edge insights from some of the industry’s most respected voices.

Powerhouse Headliners

Jack Hubbard brought his signature blend of humor, energy, and wisdom to a packed room. As one of the financial industry’s most respected sales coaches, Jack delivered actionable strategies for building relationship-based sales cultures in a digital-first world. His focus on practical techniques equipped attendees to bring actionable ideas to bring back to their teams.

Joe Sullivan, CEO of Market Insights, delivered a masterclass in strategic differentiation. With his deep understanding of the credit union and community banking space, Joe challenged marketers to think bigger, going beyond product-based messaging and encouraged them to lean into purpose-driven branding. His insights into consumer behavior and brand loyalty showed how institutions can stand out in a crowded market.

Amber Farley, EVP of FMS, helped audience members understand when it was time for a rebrand. Her session was filled with insightful stories and examples of work, helping to discover, define, deliver, and develop brands based on their underlying belief systems. As always, Amber’s energy and clarity made complex concepts feel refreshingly actionable.

Jennifer Harrington, Founder and CEO of HATCH The Agency, brought an invaluable perspective on modernizing brand experiences through CBX and connecting with consumers more effectively through the consistency of character, empathy as a strategy, and stories lived, not told.

Morgan Talbot from Kadince shared smart, data-backed strategies for enhancing digital engagement while staying compliant and community-focused.

Dan Szabo, owner of eFraud Prevention, highlighted how banks can boost engagement and trust by integrating fraud awareness into their marketing strategies.

Meridith Elliott Powell closed the conference with a high-energy keynote on resilience and seizing uncertainty as a competitive edge. Her message was timely, empowering, and universally appreciated.

Just in Time for Summer

Lastly, we enjoyed meeting Amy Mavris, Vice President, Marketing Communications Officer at Meredith Village Savings Bank. Amy won won the coveted YETI raffle! Congratulations Amy!

The quality of speakers and depth of content at this year’s NEFMA Spring Conference proved that regional events can rival national conferences. The variety of voices, real-world insights, and collaborative spirit made this a fun and worthwhile event.