Hundreds of electric cooperative CEOs and general managers will gather in January to strengthen their leadership skills and learn more about industry challenges at NRECA’s 2023 CEO Close-Up in Marco Island, Florida.

The conference will take place Jan. 9-10 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort. Pre-conference workshops will be held Jan. 8 along with a Good Government Golf Tournament, which raises funds for a variety of political engagement activities that benefit co-ops.

“CEO Close-Up gives electric cooperative CEOs a chance to collaborate and converse with peers who are grappling with similar challenges,” said Erin Pressley, NRECA’s senior vice president for Education, Training and Events.

“The conference will explore the present and future of cooperatives through renowned speakers and industry leaders during sessions packed with insights. Now, more than ever, it’s time for leadership, and this event will deliver top-of-mind opportunities.”

Breakout Sessions

Breakout session topics on Monday, Jan. 9, include infrastructure funding opportunities, building good relationships with the media and pay strategies for CEO compensation.

There also will be breakouts that day on labor relations and collective bargaining, building a better board and developing a data strategy to maximize a co-op’s return on investment in new technologies.

On Tuesday, Jan. 10, sessions will focus on leading a co-op with a subsidiary business such as broadband, setting rates in a time of volatile energy prices and what to do when a co-op is hit with a cyberattack.

That day’s sessions will also highlight employee benefits offered by NRECA for its members, how to prepare for a wave of electric vehicles and how to comply with employment laws.

Pre-Conference Workshops

CEOs who attend the pre-conference training on Sunday, Jan. 8, will participate in one four-hour workshop focusing on media training, leading with purpose, or fostering personal and team accountability.

Speakers

NRECA CEO Jim Matheson will welcome co-op leaders to the conference at Monday’s opening general session. Peter Sheahan, founder and CEO of the Karrikins Group, which advises business executives on growth and transformation, will then take the stage to address co-op CEOs on the topic of “Leading Transformation: Turning Challenge Into Opportunity and Change Into Competitive Advantage.”

Tuesday’s general session tackles supply chain disruption and will feature Buddy Hasten, president and CEO of the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc., and Sue Gordon, former principal deputy director of national intelligence.

See more conference details and registration information.