[image-caption title="The%202026%20NRECA%20Regional%20Meetings%20will%20kick%20off%20Sept.%209%20in%20Columbus%2C%20Ohio.%20(Photo%20By%3A%20carlofranco%2FiStock%2FGetty%20Images%20Plus)" description="%20%20" image="%2Fnews%2FPublishingImages%2F2026regionals-story.jpg" /]
The 2026 NRECA Regional Meetings will bring together the electric cooperative community to look at emerging industry trends and policy issues, with a focus on navigating the intersection of trust and technology.
The meetings are also an important step in NRECA’s member resolutions process, which guides the association’s priorities and political advocacy focus for co-ops and their 42 million consumer-members.
The annual gatherings kick off Sept. 9-11 with the Regions 1&4 Meeting in Columbus, Ohio. The other four meetings will take place across the country through Oct. 23.
“The Regional Meetings are one of the highlights of the year because they bring together education, governance and member engagement in a way that’s unique to NRECA,” said Heather Nelson, NRECA program manager for event education and programming. “They create opportunities to explore the issues shaping the electric cooperative industry through the lens of co-op leadership while also supporting our member resolutions process.
“Just as importantly, they give us the opportunity to connect with members across the country, hear different perspectives and stay grounded in the needs of the cooperatives we serve,” Nelson said.
Pre-conference courses
Each meeting will start with a day of fee-based pre-conference courses, including one on political engagement for board directors. Other director education courses include how to navigate change and disruption in the power sector and understanding the basics of nuclear power.
Co-op CEOs and staff can register for a workshop on optimizing capital investment strategies through artificial intelligence, data analytics and other tools. The workshop will also look at AI applications to enhance grid modernization.
The pre-conference day will end with a reception to celebrate the 60th anniversary of NRECA’s political action committee, where all active America's Electric Cooperative PAC members can socialize and receive a commemorative anniversary gift.
General sessions and breakouts
NRECA CEO Jim Matheson will speak at the opening general session on effective advocacy and the ways that NRECA works with co-ops to build durable policy influence.
Other general sessions will spotlight industry breakthroughs by co-ops in each region and examine the implications of how AI is changing expectations for cooperative leadership and governance.
The closing general session will explore the power trends shaping the co-op landscape, from explosive demand growth from data centers to tightening energy supply, as well as effective communication around rate changes.
General session speakers include NRECA President Mike Partin, Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange CEO Corey Parr and NRTC CEO Curtis Knobloch.
Two breakout sessions are scheduled on artificial intelligence: one on leading co-ops amid adoption of AI and other emerging technologies, and another on practical ways that co-op directors can use generative AI to support board responsibilities.
Resolutions process
The Regional Meetings are the second step of NRECA’s annual member resolutions process.
Regional committees, composed of co-op employees and directors, will consider six proposals forwarded by the National Resolutions Committee, five of which are proposed amendments to existing resolutions. The proposals will be available on cooperative.com in mid-July.
NRECA voting members can participate in the process by discussing the proposals, giving feedback and, if desired, proposing further amendments or submitting new resolutions during the Regional Meetings. Members interested in engaging in the process are encouraged to coordinate with their state association.
Voting delegates will vote on the proposals at the end of each Regional Meeting. They will also elect members to the NRECA Member Standing Committees, which will participate in the third step of the annual resolutions process in January.
NRECA voting members can learn more about the member resolutions process and certify a voting delegate at cooperative.com/member-resolutions.
Registration is open for all five Regional Meetings:
