Program

Mon Feb, 3rd

Pre-Conference 1: Disaster Recovery: When Lightning and Cyber Threats Strike

From adverse weather conditions and wildfires to cyber threats, we have essential loads that need to keep running no matter what. How are electric co-ops and Key Accounts ensuring business continuity and safe conditions in an unpredictable world? We’ll hear from experts in these fields and workshop scenarios together.

Pre-Conference 2: The Art of Communications & Key Account Engagement

Serving non-residential loads has unique challenges and proactive communications can help reveal a road map to success. What systems and processes can we put in place to make sure we’re consistently exceeding our Key Accounts’ expectations? We’ll work though unique scenarios and showcase how opening dynamic dialogues can positively impact member impressions of the cooperative.

Vaporized: Solid Strategies for Success in a Dematerialized World
Robert Tercek, former SVP at Sony Pictures; Creative Director at MTV and President of Digital Media at OWN

Tercek has worked as a leader inside long-established firms that were facing disruption and co-founded several disruptive startups. He has been an advisor to Dr Oz, Tony Robbins, Suze Orman, Oprah and many others.

1) What's NEXT: Tech Future Report

From data farms to dairy farms, energy technology is evolving, and we have to be ready for what comes next. Hear from industry experts about what they see in their crystal ball about new applications for advanced hardware and software.

2) Coffee Talk Roundtables: Community & Economic Development

Bringing jobs to your service territory and increasing the tax base is a vital function of electric cooperatives and our community partners. While reliably keeping the lights on in table stakes, helping our towns grow and prosper can be weaved into your co-op strategy. In structured table conversations, we’ll share new ideas and best practices for challenges in rural economic development.

3) The Cooperative Difference

This discussion is perfect for our business guests, newer co-op employees and anyone looking to share the cooperative difference with current and prospective C&I members. We’ll unpack the advantages of the Cooperative Business Model and highlight the teamwork and collaborative resources in the cooperative network. See how cooperative core values nicely complement lofty ESG goals of the businesses and organizations we serve.

Tue Feb, 4th

4) Green Performance Energy Mix

Many businesses are all trying to blend lower costs for energy and green portfolio goals. You’ll get a look behind the curtain at a business strategy to meet their environmental goals while keeping operations humming.

5) Data Center & Microgrids

Electric cooperatives are fielding more requests for information than ever from energy intensive data centers. Future power needs seem to only be growing as these businesses process more complex data and integrate AI into their operations. What should electric utilities expect in the near future from this industry’s needs and how can we design microgrids to better handle these mega sites?

6) Electric Vehicle Fleet & Infrastructure

The electric superhighway is expanding, and many businesses are planning to keep EV owners charged up and stopping at their locations. With a storied history of keeping the trucking industry rolling, a key account will break down how they’re integrated charging infrastructure to their locations and working with electric cooperatives to share the opportunities afforded by serving EV customers.

7) Demand Response & Peak Shaving for C&I

Larger C&I members are ideal candidates for demand response and peak shaving programs. This session will focus on best practices in modeling, program design and signal communications that make these processes mutually beneficial for the co-op and their Key Accounts.

8) Serving Stars & Stripes: Military, the American Farmer & Schools

Effectively serving essential non-residential loads takes a deep knowledge of their goals, values and operations. Military bases have very specific resiliency requirements, farmers are using smart ag to maximize their harvests and schools need to be ideal learning environments for tomorrow’s leaders. We’ll hear from co-ops that serve these loads on what works and what to ask these specific organizations to provide superior service.

9) Community Strategy: Broadband, Industrial Parks & Infrastructure

What is the vision for your community or region? Do you have one? We’ll hear from several economic development practitioners on how to get your key stakeholders rowing in the same direction to make your hometown an even better place to live, work and play

Join us to celebrate 25 years of connecting businesses with electric cooperatives. This event, formerly known as the NET Conference, has been an annual forum to connect decades of energy professionals from B2B sectors and an incubator to learn how electric co-ops can serve national businesses and key accounts with the highest levels of service excellence.

Wed Feb, 5th

10) Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is now a necessary business tool and can help optimize our organizations with lightning quickness. We’ll look at some real-world applications for AI in the energy industry and how companies are implementing in their operations, i.e. streamline logistics and meet customer expectations.

11) Keeping Your Business Running: Grid Resilience, Cybersecurity, and Smart Grid Technologies

New technologies and tried and true business practices can make for a formidable shield against reliability threats. We’ll feature several cases studies showing how electric co-ops were able to rally against outside factors to get their members back online and keep people safe.

12) Supply Chain & Procurement

What do we need, what does it cost and when can we get it? Planning for load growth and hooking up new sites takes precise planning and collaboration. We’ll analyze actionable ways to overcome long lead times in the supply chain to get projects across the finish line in a timelier fashion.

Offsite Networking Activity: Spanish Wells Golf Outing ($275)
Experience the one the best golf courses southwest Florida has to offer, Spanish Wells Golf & Country Club, while you enjoy lunch and golf with your NEXT peers.

Offsite Networking Activity: Estero Bay Private Kayaking Tour ($195)
Enjoy traversing through the private Estero Bay waterways only accessible by kayak while your tour guide leads the adventure.

Onsite Networking Activity: Wellness & Health Group Activities ($175)
Soak in the resort grounds and continue to network with your attendee friends while you enjoy wellness and health group activities.

Networking Activities

Wednesday, February 5, 2025 (All times are Eastern)

Each activity comes with a lunch and also, ground transportation if required.

Mon Feb, 3rd

Pre-Conferences | 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.

2024 NEXT Expo Grand Opening | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

General Session I | 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.

Breakout Sessions 1-3 | 3:45 - 4:45 p.m.

Welcome Reception | 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.