2026 Program Coming Soon!
View the 2025 Program Below
NEXT Program
2025 Program
Mon Feb, 3rd
Pre-Conference 1: Disaster Recovery: When Lightning, Fire 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.
Start connecting right away with our national business and energy manaegr guests in our NEXT Meeting Room. Also, dive into the cutting-edge energy solutions our sponsoring companies can offer.
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.
Connect with your valued peers, sponsors and subject matter experts in our networking room.
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.
Welcome Reception
Come enjoy the lush resort grounds of the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point with beautiful views of Estero Bay and the surrounding southwest Florida waterways. Connect with peers and new friends.
Tue Feb, 4th
Vital Drivers of the Economy & Energy Landscape
Hear from CFC’s Senior Economic Researcher, Sam Kem, as she shares vital economic drivers of the energy industry, including monetary policy, financial markets and current events. Prior to beginning her career at CFC, Sam was an economic and investment research consultant serving clients such as BlackRock, Julius Baer, Capital One, and venture capital firms who looked to understand economic landscapes for investment purposes. Sam previously worked for Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management, the World Bank, and the American Enterprise Institute.
Then, join Christopher Guith, Senior Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute, who build’s on America’s energy promise through policy development, education and advocacy. Working across several executive administrations, Guith consults with state and local chambers of commerce and business groups, advising them how to quantify the importance of safe, reliable American energy to their businesses.
Join us in the NEXT Meeting Room to connect with your peers and group discuss a number of topics from broadband to demand response. Also, see the cutting-edge energy solutions that our sponsoring companies offer.
Volunteer with Lee County Electric Cooperative, LCEC, for a meal packing event with meals of hope, a nonprofit dedicated to providing nutritious meals to families in need within the community LCEC serves. The Southwest Florida area has been severely impacted by Hurricanes over recent years and these meals will help those in need. The goal is to assemble over 12,000 meals and make an impact within the local community. Choose a shift time below and register now to volunteer!
First shift: 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Second shirt: 12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Please sign up here to serve for one of the project shifts.
All attendees are welcome to share a meal with their NEXT peers.
4) Finding The Right 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 Centers & 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 Vehicles & 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) Grid Resiliency & Cybersecurity
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.
Peak Performance: Success is Overcoming Obstacles on the Way to Your Dreams
Karl Mecklenburg, Former NFL All-Pro Linebacker and Denver Bronco's Captain and Ring of Fame Member.
Mecklenburg’s life is a testimony to this truth. Karl’s journey through junior varsity football, losing a partial scholarship at his first college, walking on at the University of Minnesota, and coming to the Broncos as the 310th pick of the draft were all obstacles. He achieved his dream by becoming the most versatile player in the NFL and a team captain. Karl’s twelve year NFL career included six Pro Bowl and three Super Bowl appearances. Story-based and full of humor this presentation will inspire and motivate you and your team to peak performance.
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)
Continue to network with your attendee friends while you enjoy an afternoon of Zumba, Yoga, Smoothie & Nutrition Breaks & Health Consultant.
Networking Activities
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 (All times are Eastern)
Each activity comes with a lunch and also, ground transportation if required.
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)
Continue to network with your attendee friends while you enjoy an afternoon of Zumba, Yoga, Smoothie & Nutrition Breaks & Health Consultant.