Review and Selection Criteria

Thank you for your interest in speaking at the 2026 TechAdvantage Conference! This premier event brings together technology professionals, engineers, operations managers, IT experts, supply chain leaders, and national co-op executives to explore cutting-edge solutions that drive the future of electric cooperatives. Your expertise can make a real impact—don't miss this opportunity to share your insights, innovations, and success stories with an engaged audience.
 
Who Attends TechAdvantage?

  • Engineers eager to leverage new applications and technologies.
  • Operations professionals looking to implement the latest innovations.
  • IT professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in managing infrastructure, cybersecurity, and strategic technology initiatives.
  • Broadband and telecommunications professionals driving rural connectivity, network expansion, and fiber deployment.
  • Supply chain and procurement leaders optimizing logistics, vendor partnerships, and materials management.
  • National cooperative leaders shaping the future of co-ops with strategic technology adoption.

 
What We're Looking For
We seek dynamic, interactive, and thought-provoking sessions that:

  • Create a memorable and engaging learning experience for attendees.
  • Incorporate multimedia elements and encourage audience participation.
  • Offer practical takeaways and real-world applications.
  • Highlight innovative, emerging trends and technologies.
  • Are educational and free from sales pitches or corporate promotions.

 
Session Formats

  • Pre-Conference Workshops: 4-hour deep-dive sessions.
  • Breakout Sessions: 60-minute topic-driven presentations.

 
Topic Areas
1.      Technology Infrastructure

    • Advanced Metering
    • Communications & Connectivity
    • DERMS & Distributed Energy Management
    • Distribution Automation
    • Electric Vehicles (EVs), Charging Infrastructure & Fleet Electrification
    • GIS & Mapping Solutions
    • IT Operations & Cloud Infrastructure
    • Microgrids & Resiliency Planning

2.      Security & Compliance

    • Cybersecurity Threats & Best Practices
    • Regulatory & Compliance Challenges
    • Risk Management & Incident Response

3.      Data Management & Analytics

    • Big Data, AI & Predictive Analytics
    • Data Mining for Operational Efficiency
    • Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Integration

4.      Operations & Supply Chain Management

    • Procurement Strategies & Best Practices
    • Supply Chain Resilience & Risk Mitigation
    • Logistics & Materials Management
    • Vendor & Strategic Sourcing Relationships
    • Inventory Optimization & Forecasting
    • Innovations in Fleet & Facilities Management

5.      Broadband & Connectivity

    • Rural Broadband Expansion & Deployment
    • Fiber Network Design, Middle Mile & Implementation
    • Broadband Funding & Policy Considerations
    • Next-Generation Wireless Technologies
    • Cybersecurity Challenges in Broadband Infrastructure
    • Smart Grid & Broadband Integration

6.      Strategic Planning & Response

    • Disaster Recovery & Storm Response Planning
    • Strategic Forecasting & Business Continuity
    • Vendor Collaboration & Risk Management

7.      Industry Trends & Emerging Technologies

    • AI & Machine Learning Applications
    • Commercial & Industrial Electrification Trends
    • Demand Growth (Data Centers, Cryptocurrency, Cannabis, etc.)
    • Workforce Development & Talent Strategies

 
Selection Criteria
Due to the competitive nature of the process, all submissions will be evaluated by the TechAdvantage advisory committee based on the criteria outlined below. Please note that some tracks may receive a significantly higher volume of proposals, which could impact the committee's ability to select even highly qualified submissions.

  • Relevance to the industry and emerging trends.
  • Impact on cooperative operations and strategic initiatives.
  • Technical depth, audience level, and practical applicability.
  • Collaboration between cooperatives and vendors.

 
How to Submit a Proposal

  • Visit the 2026 TechAdvantage Conference proposal submission page​.
  • Create a login to submit your proposal and check its status.
  • Submissions must be complete—incomplete proposals (e.g., TBD speaker or session title) will not be considered.
  • You may submit up to two (2) proposals, each requiring a separate submission form.
  • Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM ET on Friday, June 13, 2025.
  • You'll receive an automatic confirmation email with a link to the speaker portal—please retain this for your records. The submission confirmation does not constitute acceptance of your session.
  • The final slate of speakers will be confirmed by mid-October 2025.

 
Speaker Registration Policy
Selected speakers must register for the conference. However, if your company is exhibiting at the Expo and you're registered as an exhibitor, there's no need for separate conference registration.
 
Questions?
Contact Alison Kent at alison.kent@nreca.coop or 703-907-5857 for any inquiries.

We look forward to your submissions and to making the 2026 TechAdvantage Conference an incredible learning experience for all!