Monday | February 6, 2023 (Eastern Time)
Pre-Conferences | 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
The Art of the Key Account Member Experience
Hear from master key accounts trainer and representatives share best practices to improve the key account member experience. Learn how strengthening relationships with key account businesses not only ensures a brighter future for their organization, but for the entire cooperative community.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
Join this engaging workshop focused on trends, technologies and initiatives that drive infrastructure to support the ever growing world of electric vehicles.
Energy Manager Connect & Lunch | 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Welcome National Businesses & Energy Managers!
Connect with your peers during a private lunch to welcome you to the 2023 NEXT Conference program.
Opening General Session I | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Welcome to the 2023 NEXT Conference
Fast Forward Now
Shawn DuBravac | Keynote
What if we could fast forward to the future and get a glimpse of what’s to come? The COVID pandemic has reshaped how we operate, but how will it impact our trajectory now and how should we approach the inevitable change that is coming? Shawn is the New York Times best-selling author of Digital Destiny. He’s a futurist and economist who has spent the last 20 years exploring the intersection of society and technology. Like all of us, he understands many of the challenges we are facing today.
Expo Grand Opening & NEXTworking Break | 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Enter our expo center and see the cutting edge energy solutions that our sponsoring companies can offer.
Breakout Sessions | 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
1) Go Electric! | See the rapidly growing possibilities from the world of Beneficial Electrification and learn how businesses & utilities can collaborate to electrify their communities.
2) Coffee Chats: Industry & Community Roundtables | Grab some afternoon caffeine and join roundtable discussions with your peers on evolving technology, community needs and supporting the Key Account network. Whether you are a co-op, sponsor or energy manager, you’ll find value in the facilitated discussion and hearing multiple perspectives in the room.
3) Energy Intelligence for Key Account Management | See what technologies are available to assist in real-time, data driven decision making that enables cost savings and meeting sustainability goals for utilities and commercial businesses.
Welcome Cocktail Reception | 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy light fare as we welcome you to Coconut Point, Florida. Get re-acquainted with good friends and make new connections and potential dinner plans.
Tuesday | February 7, 2023 (Eastern Time)
General Session II | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
The Power of Two: Emotional & Relationship Intelligence
Janet & Eric Rehberg | Keynote
Hear the dynamic approach from two chief engineers within our network who were hired for high IQ and understands the importance of EQ in building trusted, professional and personal relationships.
Economorphics & Electricity Distribution: Staying Ahead of the Megatrends Intelligence
Linda Nazareth | Keynote
The world we know is morphing into a new one, and that has huge implications for electricity distribution. Economics, demographics, climate, work, the fourth industrial revolution – all are shifting and to stay ahead of the curve you need to understand the changes afoot. In Economorphics, economist and futurist Linda Nazareth talks about the trends reshaping tomorrow and the challenges and opportunities they will present to communities and to electricity distribution.
Innovation & NEXTworking Showcase | 11:00 a.m. - Noon.
Enter our networking room and see the cutting edge energy solutions that our sponsoring companies can offer.
Lunch | Noon - 1:15 p.m.
All attendees are welcome.
Breakout Sessions | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
4) Artificial Intelligence, Drones and Machine Learning | See how technology is driving new innovation, labor coverage & efficiencies and an entire new world and need for programming technology.
5) Small Towns Build Great Things | In just 10 years, Small Nation has taken the dying small town of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and turned it into a best-in-state destination. Hear from Small Nation Founder and CEO, Jason Duff, on how to break inertia and the secret sauce on moving the needle for businesses and cooperatives to spark community redevelopment.
6) Battery Storage | The possibilities of battery storage application keeps going and going and going. Hear from national staff on the latest of this important technology.
Expo & NEXTworking Break | 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Enter our expo center and see the cutting edge energy solutions that our sponsoring companies can offer.
General Session III | 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
The National Energy Manager Perspective
Jay Bucholz | Keynote & Engagement Moderator
Join master key accounts representative, Jay Bucholz, as he brings the audience on a journey from the perspective of a national energy manager. Hear from an engaged panel of national energy managers about their priorities and strategic goals.
2023 NEXT Conference Evening Reception | 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Enjoy the beautiful Hyatt Regency Coconut Point and surrounding palm trees of Bonita Springs, Florida. Network and connect with your colleagues and peers as we celebrate member relationships and a have a full evening of breaking bread together.
Wednesday | February 8, 2023 (Eastern Time)
Breakout Sessions | 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
7) Serving Dynamic Loads | Disruptive loads when embraced could give great growth to the cooperative system and community. Hear from cooperatives who welcomed unique accounts to their lines and membership.
8) Energy Mix Diversity | Learn about the all of the above approach that drives strength and flexibility in our energy portfolio. Hear about innovative tactics, including hydrogen, nuclear and carbon storage, that can be added into the mix.
9) Engaging the Community through Smart & Safe Agriculture | Perhaps one of the first, great cooperative accomplishment was electrifying farms. Now, could it be electrifying farm equipment with power, connectivity and safety training? Learn about the developing technology, connectivity and safety programming available to this unique member sector.
General Session IV | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
The Rural Community of the Future
Zach Mannheimer | Keynote
Hear from one of America's most successful creative placemakers and CEO of a leading 3D printing housing company. Hear how Alquist 3D is opening new doors to combat the rural housing crisis, energy conversation and connectivity needs in rural communities.
Networking Activities | 12 p.m. | Lunch & Transportation Included
Kayaking Group Tour ($175) | Enjoy a 2 hour private kayak tour throughout lush tropical Inland Waterways while a guide educates you on the history and beauty of wildlife in the area with a chance to see dolphins and manatees.
Backwater Fishing Private Charter ($245) | Enjoy a 4 hour fishing charter and the spectacular views of the Tropical Mangrove Islands and other exotic plants and wildlife as you make your way to your Captain’s favorite fishing holes to reel in the catch of the day such as Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, Redfish, Snook, Triple‐tail, Jack and Sea Trout.
Spanish Wells Golf Outing ($195) | Hit the links with your professional peers and enjoy one of the beautiful golf courses, Spanish Wells, that southwest Florida has to offer. Transportation, green fees, golf cart and lunch are included. Golf rentals not included.
Wednesday | February 8, 2023 (Eastern Time)
Networking Activities | 12 p.m. | Lunch & Transportation Included
Kayaking Group Tour ($175) | Enjoy a 2 hour private kayak tour throughout lush tropical Inland Waterways while a guide educates you on the history and beauty of wildlife in the area with a chance to see dolphins and manatees.
Backwater Fishing Private Charter ($245) | Enjoy a 4 hour fishing charter and the spectacular views of the Tropical Mangrove Islands and other exotic plants and wildlife as you make your way to your Captain’s favorite fishing holes to reel in the catch of the day such as Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, Redfish, Snook, Triple‐tail, Jack and Sea Trout.
Spanish Wells Golf Outing ($195) | Hit the links with your professional peers and enjoy one of the beautiful golf courses, Spanish Wells, that southwest Florida has to offer. Transportation, green fees, golf cart and lunch are included. Golf rentals not included.