National, regional and local energy managers and electric cooperative key account and energy services professionals will gather in February for Touchstone Energy® Cooperative's 2025 NEXT Conference near Fort Myers, Florida.

The national forum connecting co-op employees and national business members turns 25 this year, and it will take place Feb. 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs. Originally known as the NET Conference, the first gathering was in 2000 in conjunction with the Touchstone Energy Tucson Open.

“The NEXT Edge" is this year's theme, and program content will focus on cutting-edge technologies and national perspectives on important industry issues and will demonstrate how businesses and co-ops are embracing the future.

Organizers are also offering more time for networking and peer discussions this year, as well as a service event to benefit the Fort Myers community still recovering from recent storms, including Hurricane Ian in 2022.

“Touchstone Energy helps co-ops strengthen their relationships with their members, and the NEXT Conference is an important part of equipping your key account employees and engaging commercial and business members. We are proud to provide this unique national forum," said Jana Adams, Touchstone Energy executive director.

Pre-Conference Activities

Two workshops will kick off the conference on Feb. 3. “Disaster Recovery: When Lightning and Cyber Threats Strike" will focus on ensuring business continuity and safe conditions in the event of these situations. “The Art of Communications and Key Account Engagement" will focus on the unique opportunities and challenges of serving nonresidential loads and offer ideas on systems and processes for co-op key accounts managers to ensure they're exceeding members' expectations.

General Session Speakers

Robert Tercek, former Sony Pictures senior vice president and MTV creative director, is the keynote speaker for the opening general session on Feb. 3. As a leader at long-established firms undergoing disruption and co-founder of several disruptive startups, he will discuss “Vaporized: Solid Strategies for Success in a Dematerialized World."

The second general session on Feb. 4 will feature a panel of three experts discussing “Vital Drivers of the Energy Industry": Sam Kem, an economist at the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., a representative from NRECA's Government Relations department, and Jana Adams, Touchstone Energy executive director.

Former NFL All-Pro Linebacker Karl Mecklenburg will be the keynote speaker for the third general session on Feb. 5. The captain of the Denver Broncos will share teamwork and leadership strategies during his NFL career, including the value of playing from many perspectives.

Breakout Sessions

Breakout sessions on Feb. 3 include “What's NEXT: Tech Future Report," in which industry experts will discuss new applications in advanced hardware and software; coffee talk roundtables on economic and community development; and a “Cooperative Difference" discussion on the advantages of the cooperative business model in serving key accounts.

Feb. 4 marks the debut of three Business Spotlight Sessions in which co-ops will hear from commercial energy advisers on green energy goals, data centers and microgrids, and electric vehicle fleets and infrastructure.

Other breakout sessions on Feb. 4 will address providing demand response and peak shaving for commercial and industrial accounts; serving military bases, farms and schools; and serving broadband, industrial parks and infrastructure loads.

Breakout topics on Feb. 5 include artificial intelligence and real-world applications in the energy industry and co-op case studies of grid resilience in the face of reliability threats.

Additional Highlights

• New this year are NEXT Spark Huddles, which are short, interactive gatherings in the Expo Center around certain topics.
• For a fee, participants can choose between three networking activities on Feb. 5: a golf outing at the Spanish Wells Golf & Country Club; a guided kayaking tour at Estero Bay waterways; and wellness and health group activities on the resort grounds.
• To help mark the 25th anniversary of the conference, Touchstone Energy and Lee County Electric Cooperative will sponsor the Feb. 4 community service onsite. Volunteers can sign up soon to prepare some 15,000 meals to distribute to Meals of Hope, a nonprofit food assistance group in Naples.

Visit the NEXT conference webpage for more details and registration information.