Big thinkers have until Oct. 15 to get their entries in for the CO-OP THINK Prize 14.

The annual contest invites credit union staffers to come up with innovative solutions to issues facing the credit union industry and comes with a $10,000 grand prize, which this time will be presented at the big CUSO's annual THINK conference next May 19-22 in New Orleans.

Entries will be judged on such criteria as impact and creativity and can come from anywhere in the enterprise, including technology, back-office processes and advertising and marketing.

The 25 semifinalists and then the three finalists will be selected by judges from CO-OP Financial Services and an industry panel.

“We encourage everyone to consider entering, for their own professional development, to make their credit unions better, to help our industry, and perhaps to win a nice sum of money,” said Stan Hollen, president/CEO of CO-OP in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

Entry information is online.