Monday | January 29th, 2024 (All times are PST)
Pre-Conferences | 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Pre-Conference 1: Reliability, Resiliency and Renewables for Key Accounts
Location: Desert Vista D&E
Reliability, Resiliency and Renewables—or the 3 Rs of energy issues—take on unique expectations and challenges from commercial and industrial members. Learn how tackling these vital areas with collaboration, flexibility and technology can strengthen relationships with key accounts.
Pre-Conference 2: Co-op Collaboration in Economic Development
Location: Desert Vista A&B
Join this engaging workshop focused on the evolving role of electric cooperatives in community and economic development. Hear about winning projects and collaborating with stakeholders to improve local and regional economies and more!
National Energy Manager Connect (Business Guests Only) | 11:30 a.m. - Noon
Welcome National Businesses & Energy Managers!
Location: Conference Center Terrace
Connect with your peers and meet with the Executive Director of Touchstone Energy, Jana Adams.
2024 NEXT Expo Grand Opening | Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Start networking right away in our NEXT Expo and registration hub and dive into the cutting-edge energy solutions our sponsoring companies can offer.
General Session I | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Reliably Powering Tomorrow
Location: Indian Wells M-P
Electric cooperatives are laser-focused on improving the reliability and stability of the grid. Hear from an industry expert on ways the industry is analyzing the current energy landscape and future opportunities to maximize our resources.
Reimagining Design: Unlocking Strategic Innovation
Hear from Chief Creative Officer of dreams · design + life and former nuclear engineer, Kevin Bethune, who went on to support the Air Jordan team at Nike.
2024 NEXT Expo and Networking | 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) Deeper Dive: Reliably Powering Tomorrow
Location: Indian Wells M-P
This extension of the opening General Session will dive deeper into specific examples of how electric co-ops make sure the lights stay on and our goal of resiliency for existing and future curveballs from multiple sources.
2) Coffee Talk Roundtables: Technology and Community
Location: Desert Vista A&B
Grab some afternoon caffeine and join roundtable discussions with your peers about evolving technology, community needs and supporting the Key Account network. Whether you are a co-op, energy manager or NEXT sponsor, you’ll find value in these facilitated discussions and varied perspectives.
3) Bringing Business to Rural America
Location: Desert Vista D&E
The economic development stool has many legs, and many organizations have their hands in successful business growth in rural America. This panel discussion will showcase the impact everyone at the table can have on growing your community.
Welcome Cocktail Reception | 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Outside Pool Deck
With Day 1 content in the books, let’s unwind and make some lasting connections in our wonderful desert resort setting.
Tuesday | January 30th, 2024 (All times are PST)
Breakfast | 7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
General Session II | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Tackling Economic, Supply Chain and Legislative Challenges
Location: Indian Wells M-P
Hear from a triple header of experts who have their fingers on the pulse of these vital drivers of the energy industry. For large power users, electric providers, and everyone in between, these insightful forecasts will help you navigate the road ahead.
Innovation & NEXTworking Showcase | 11:00 a.m. - Noon
Location: Indian Wells Sponsor Ballroom
Join us in the Expo center and see the cutting-edge energy solutions that our sponsoring companies can offer.
All-Attendee Lunch | Noon - 1:15 p.m.
Location: Indian Wells Sponsor Ballroom
All attendees are welcome.
Breakout Sessions | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
4) Electric Vehicles Kick into High Gear
Location: Indian Wells M-P
Is your co-op or business ready for the impact of more EVs on the road? Turn onto the electric superhighway and hear about the latest trends, technologies and utility-side initiatives that drive the rapidly growing electric vehicle market.
5) Real AI Applications for Rural America
Location: Desert Vista A&B
See how the many applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are influencing new business practices, energy usage, and the way we work. A portion of this breakout will focus on the impacts specific to rural regions.
6) Earth, Wind and Fission: Commercial Uses of Geothermal, Wind and Small Nuclear
Location: Desert Vista D&E
Green power that’s also reliable will be part of the secret sauce that helps keep America going strong. Explore some specific distributed energy resource (DER) technologies and their real-world applications for non-residential loads.
Expo & NEXTworking Break / Ice Cream Social | 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Join us in the sponsor ballroom for some sweet treats and to visit with our wide range of event exhibitors.
General Session III | 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
National Energy Manager Perspective
Location: Indian Wells M-P
Join innovative key accounts representative Dawn Southwell as she breaks down her co-op’s efforts to bring reliable, resilient power to her wide range of commercial and industrial members in the heart of Texas. Then, hear honest perspectives from an energetic panel of national energy managers about their priorities and strategic goals.
2024 NEXT Conference Evening Reception | 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | The Grove Garden (Onsite)
Enjoy the beautiful Palm Desert evening while you network and connect with your colleagues and peers. We love to celebrate our co-op-to-member relationships, while enjoying a full evening of breaking bread together.
Wednesday | January 31st, 2024 (All times are PST)
Breakfast | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Breakout Sessions | 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
7) Battery Storage
Location: Indian Wells M-P
The possibilities and potential of battery storage applications keeps going and going and going. Let’s charge into the applications that help us meet reliability and renewable goals.
8) Harnessing the Rise of DER Networks
Location: Desert Vista A&B
Tying distributed energy resources together and having a plan to dispatch them quickly are becoming more commonplace. We’ll examine how these non-traditional generation sources can change the game during critical peak times, outage events and other scenarios.
9) Building Satisfaction, Engagement, Loyalty and a Future with Key Accounts
Location: Desert Vista D&E
Co-ops are all about living the cooperative difference to meet needs and expectations. This session will take us on a journey from maintaining satisfied stakeholders with strong core services to creating loyal members by going above and beyond to solve problems together.
General Session IV | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Join our closing general session to be motivated and equipped before heading back home for a strong year of relationships, connection and embracing our energy future.
Post-Conference Networking Activities | Noon - 4 p.m. | Meet in the Hotel Lobby
Indian Wells Golf Outing - $275
Enjoy an afternoon networking with peers at the Indian Wells Golf Resort, one of the Top 25 “Best Municipal Courses in the United States” awarded by Golfweek Magazine. Green fees, golf cart and lunch are included. Golf rentals not included.
San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour - $225
Experience the real desert and explore the San Andreas Fault’s unique geologic features. Along the way, the jeeps will pass through some of the richest agricultural areas in the world. Lunch included.
Down-town Palm Springs Tour - $195
Enjoy lunch at LQ Brewery, a local favorite spot with award winning brews. After lunch, hop on the bus to experience a tour of “Little Hollywood” and other Palm Springs staples. Take in famed local architecture and discover the sizzle and secrets to be uncovered in Coachella Valley. Lunch included.
Wednesday | January 31st, 2024 (All times are PST)
Networking Activities | Noon - 4 p.m.
Indian Wells Golf Outing - $275
Enjoy an afternoon networking with peers at the Indian Wells Golf Resort, one of the Top 25 “Best Municipal Courses in the United States” awarded by Golfweek Magazine. Green fees, golf cart and lunch are included. Golf rentals not included.
San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour - $225
Experience the real desert and explore the San Andreas Fault’s unique geologic features. Along the way, the jeeps will pass through some of the richest agricultural areas in the world. Lunch included.
Down-town Palm Springs Tour - $195
Enjoy lunch at LQ Brewery, a local favorite spot with award winning brews. After lunch, hop on the bus to experience a tour of “Little Hollywood” and other Palm Springs staples. Take in famed local architecture and discover the sizzle and secrets to be uncovered in Coachella Valley. Lunch included.