NRECA’s 2026 Directors Conference in January will give electric cooperative directors the chance to sharpen their governance skills, exchange ideas and learn how best to shape the future of their co-ops.

The conference will be held Jan. 25-28 at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Southern California. Reservations at nearby hotels must be made by Jan. 5 to guarantee special rates. 

Directors who can’t travel to the event can attend selected online sessions Jan. 26-28. 

Participation in the annual conference grew dramatically in 2025, with more than 950 attendees, up from 545 the previous year, said Erin Pressley, NRECA senior vice president for Education, Training and Events. She is expecting another strong turnout for 2026. 

“In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, directors must be equipped with the latest insights in governance, technology, and policy,” Pressley said. “This conference delivers exactly that, offering a unique opportunity to engage with industry experts, sharpen leadership skills and collaborate with peers from across the country. Attendance isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential for any board member committed to guiding their cooperative into the future.” 

Speaker highlights 

Joe Theismann, the retired star quarterback and Super Bowl champion for the former Washington Redskins, will talk about his “game plan for success” by drawing parallels between winning in football and business. The former sportscaster will speak at the opening general session and dinner on Monday, Jan. 26. 

Theismann, who was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1983, will focus on how to succeed under pressure and how to adapt quickly to unexpected situations.  

The football great will follow a chat with NRECA CEO Jim Matheson and CoBank President and CEO Tom Halverson. The two leaders will talk with Pressley about co-ops’ challenges, opportunities and successes. 

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, Dan Walsh, NRECA senior power supply and generation director, will speak at the morning general session about the state of nuclear power in America. He will explore the opportunities and challenges for co-ops navigating the future power mix. 

Andrew Don, CEO of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. (CFC), will be the featured speaker at Tuesday’s afternoon general session and lunch. He will talk about what to expect in 2026 for the U.S. economy, financial markets and electric industry and how it will impact co-ops’ governance decisions. 

At the closing general session on Wednesday, Jan. 28, Silicon Valley tech innovator Kevin Surace will discuss artificial intelligence and how co-ops can leverage this transformative technology. Surace has 94 worldwide patents and led pioneering work on the first cellular data smartphone and the first human-like AI virtual assistant. 

Breakout sessions 

Breakout sessions will focus on a wide range of issues that directors face, including how to communicate effectively with co-op CEOs and other employees, how to deal with a disruptive director, how to clearly define the distinct roles of co-op management and the board, how to answer tough questions from the public and how to lead co-ops through change. 

Sessions will also include a hands-on AI experience and breakouts on mitigating wildfire threats, serving large-load consumers such as data centers and understanding the board’s role in the broadband business. 

Networking breaks between sessions will give directors a chance to share their thoughts and ideas with one another. 

Pre-conference courses 

Thirteen pre-conference workshops will be offered to in-person participants for an extra fee on Sunday, Jan. 25, and Monday, Jan. 26. Topics include equity management, strategic planning and building consensus. New courses will focus on power supply decision making, political engagement for directors and navigating in an era of uncertainty.