MADISON, Wis.- Credit union marketing executives are invited to "break out of the box" by participating in the first-ever Marketing Challenge, Thursday, April 14, 2005, to benefit the San Diego Children's Museum (SDCM). For the challenge, participants will join a team of fellow marketers-in a format based on popular NBC reality television show The Apprentice-and will spend a day creating a promotional advertising campaign for the SDCM. The museum, which is among San Diego's favorite creative destinations for kids and families, is expanding to construct a colorful, brand-new, world-class facility and neighboring park on its current site. Executives from the museum will evaluate the plans that are submitted by each of the Marketing Challenge teams and will select the most compelling campaign. The winning entry will be used by the San Diego Children's Museum to promote its new facility, scheduled to open in October 2005. This interactive pre-conference workshop will be held in conjunction with CUES Nexus Conference, which will be held April 14-17, 2005, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. "The Marketing Challenge is a great chance for conference attendees to try new things and experiment with ideas in a fun, hands-on way. The collaborative nature of the event is sure to offer participants a high-energy learning experience–and the chance to meet new people and exchange ideas with colleagues" says Gary Irvin, president/CEO, FORUM CU and CUES board chair. "Not to mention, this is a great opportunity for the credit union movement to help the San Diego Children's Museum. It's really a win-win situation for both conference participants and the museum," added Irvin. To learn more about CUES Nexus Conference and the pre-conference Marketing Challenge, visit www.cuesnexus.org.