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The electric cooperative network will gather at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, in March for NRECA PowerXchange and TechAdvantage, with a focus on “rising to meet the moment” by embracing the challenges and opportunities of the rapidly evolving industry.
“With the rise of large loads, shifting rate structures, the accelerating influence of AI, and the critical need for grid reliability, the future of electric cooperatives is being shaped right now. TechAdvantage, PowerXchange & The Expo isn’t just an event—it’s the place to discover cutting-edge technologies, exchange best practices and forge connections that drive real progress for co-ops nationwide,” said Erin Pressley, NRECA senior vice president of Education, Training & Events.
Here’s a look at the highlights of the agenda for each event.
PowerXchange
PowerXchange, set for March 6-11, is the premier gathering for co-op CEOs, directors and staff to connect, learn and shape the future together.
“This March, Nashville is where electric cooperative leaders will gather to prepare for and shape the future. By coming together at PowerXchange, staff and directors gain the insights and connections they need to deliver on the promise of reliable, affordable and innovative energy for their communities,” Pressley said.
The power of resilience is a common thread among the keynote speeches at the three general sessions:
Angela Duckworth, an author and pioneering researcher on the science of success, will speak at the opening general session on March 9. Duckworth’s hugely influential TED Talk and New York Times No. 1 bestseller “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” focused on how we think about talent versus effort. She combines rigorous science with real-world experience to show that sticking with long-term goals is crucial for achievement.
Barry "Butch" Wilmore, a retired U.S. Navy captain and former NASA astronaut, will discuss how “no mission goes as planned” at the March 10 general session. Wilmore and his fellow astronaut, Suni Williams, became familiar faces in the news when their scheduled eight-day mission to the International Space Station ended up lasting nine months because of technical problems with the Boeing Starliner capsule that was supposed to bring them back to Earth. The pair, who became famous for their unflappable demeanor during their extended stay in space, returned home in March 2025 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
Travis Mills, a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant of the 82nd Airborne, will be the keynote speaker at the combined PowerXchange and TechAdvantage closing general session on March 11. Mills lost both arms and both legs to an improvised explosive device while serving his third tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2012. After enduring a grueling rehabilitation, Mills and his wife, Kelsey, created the Travis Mills Foundation to help veterans wounded in active duty since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America. Mills will stress the importance of “Never Give Up, Never Quit!”
Breakout sessions will take place March 9 and 10, with those on the 10th open to both PowerXchange and TechAdvantage attendees. Overall, the sessions will focus on a wide range of topics, including:
- Updates from Rural Utilities Service leaders on electric and broadband programs.
- Effective ways to talk to co-op consumer-members about rates and affordability.
- What to understand about data centers and their impact on co-ops.
- How to lead a resilient team.
- How nuclear power might fit into the future energy mix for co-ops.
- The latest on federal permitting reform.
- Succession planning for sustainable co-op leadership.
- Leveraging the strength of a multi-generational workforce.
- The economic outlook for co-ops and the communities they serve.
- Strategic advantages of integrating fiber into distribution automation systems.
From March 6 through March 8, co-op directors can enroll in pre-conference workshops focusing on key governance issues such as director duties and liabilities, making decisions about power supply, and the board’s role in safety. An array of other pre-conference offerings include a full-day workshop on March 8 designed for CEOs and co-op staff that focuses on “empowered leadership” techniques to coach employees and build high-performing teams.
TechAdvantage
2026 TechAdvantage will offer co-op professionals a unique opportunity to embrace the latest technologies and solutions in engineering and operations, IT, supply chain management and broadband for today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape.
The premier technology event for electric co-ops runs March 8-11 alongside PowerXchange.
“As this industry moves at breakneck speed, TechAdvantage is ‘rising to meet the moment’ and inviting electric co-op professionals to a vast showcase of cutting-edge tools, industry experts and invaluable networking and peer-to-peer opportunities,” said Alison Kent, NRECA senior program manager for education programs and events.
Zack Kass, a globally renowned researcher and adviser on AI, will kick off TechAdvantage’s opening general session on March 9. Kass is the former head of go-to-market strategy at OpenAI, where he helped turn the company’s pioneering work into actual business solutions. Known for making complex technology clear, practical and actionable, Kass will show attendees what AI really means for their work today and how to prepare for the rapid changes ahead.
Breakout sessions will allow attendees to dive deep into their co-op’s primary issues and meet potential partners and new vendors. These sessions will cover key co-op concerns such as:
- Leveraging the potential of artificial intelligence.
- Emergency management strategies.
- Strengthening cybersecurity.
- Grid resiliency optimization.
“TechAdvantage provides co-op professionals a rich experience of focused ideas, strategies and innovations designed to equip them to tackle today’s challenges and lead their communities into the future,” said Kent.
Eight pre-conference workshops will take place March 8 and cover topics such as how to navigate claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, strengthening reliability by leveraging foundational and emerging technologies, and how to build high-performing workforce teams.
The Expo at PowerXchange and TechAdvantage
The ever-popular Expo at PowerXchange and TechAdvantage will feature more than 370 exhibitors throughout 91,700 square feet of space, offering attendees a chance to develop new ideas and build relationships with vendors. More than 50 of the exhibitors will be participating in the Expo for the first time.
A wide array of products and services will be represented at the Expo, including broadband, engineering consulting and system designs, telecommunications, software application providers, asset management, line construction and maintenance, transformers, transformer pads, substation equipment, poles and crossarms, and vegetation management.
New this year at the Expo is Startup Alley, where 15 innovative early-stage companies will present products and services designed for electric co-ops. It will offer a unique opportunity for small businesses to connect with electric co-ops and for attendees to explore emerging technologies that could shape the future of their operations.
The Electric Vehicle Pavilion, which debuted last year, will return for co-op attendees to ride in the newest models from Ford, GM and Stellantis.
Visit the PowerXchange and TechAdvantage conference pages for schedule information and registration details. The deadline to reserve hotel rooms at the conference rate is Jan. 21.
