CEOs, Key Account Leaders and Energy Managers Gather for NET2006

The seventh annual New & Emerging Technologies Conference (NET) offered more than 350 attendees, including co-op CEOs, key account managers and their business customers, and corporate energy managers a chance to connect and share insights on the electric utility industry, the future of power supply and other timely topics. In addition to networking opportunities, the conference, held Jan. 17-19 in Phoenix, Ariz., featured expert speakers on topics such as biofuels, site selection success, advances in Internet technologies and energy management solutions for key accounts.

As in the past, the NET Conference focused on the unique relationships co-ops share with their commercial and industrial customers and provided a one-of-a-kind environment for attendees to interact with co-op officials, customers and corporate energy managers.

The conference kicked off with a Key Accounts Summit. Attendees heard from a panel of key account managers on effective ways to communicate with business customers. Panelists emphasized the importance of maintaining a single point of contact for each key account, being proactive and consistent in communicating about rate increases and maximizing opportunities to have personal interactions with energy mangers at key accounts.  Other topics presented included overcoming customer objections, metering technologies and implications of the 2005 energy bill.

A panel of G&T CEOs opened the first NET general session with a discussion of the current state of power supply and resource planning for the future. Ron Harper (Basin Electric-Bismarck, ND), Roy Palk (East Kentucky Power-Winchester, Ky.) and Gary Roulet (Western Farmers Electric Co-op-Andadarko, Okla.) responded to energy managers’ questions about what co-ops are doing to manage rate volatility.  CEOs responded that they are working hard to keep costs down for their members by continuing to invest in new technologies that allow them to generate power more economically.

Attendees also took in a variety of breakout sessions on a range of topics.  A session on Internet and communications gave perspectives onhow that the Internet has transformed the way business is conducted and the challenge facing rural America in keeping pace with technology. Attendees were encouraged to embrace, rather than avoid, new technology trends and take an active role in helping their members and colleagues use them. Other sessions focused on site selection, outdoor lighting, transmission constraints and gridlock, and key account management perspectives from national energy managers.

“The conference offered something for everyone,” said Mark Kortkamp, business account executive at Dakota Electric Association (Farmington, Minn.). “The most beneficial aspect for me was the chance to network with people from different co-ops and businesses.”

Bruce Halbasch, vice president of marketing at Kraus-Anderson Construction in Minneapolis, Minn., and a business member of Dakota Electric, said attending the NET Conference was time well spent. “I appreciated the opportunity to network with other industry representatives, said Halbasch. "As our business looks to the future, the energy subject, along with specific technologies and system options, will be a hot topic on our agendas. The information on energy and technology I received at the conference will be helpful as we work with our clients on their energy needs,” he added.

Presentations from NET2006 will be available on www.touchstoneenergy.coop in early February.

Maine Becomes 45th State on the Touchstone Energy Map

Touchstone Energy membership got off to an exciting start in 2006 as Eastern Maine Electric Co-op (Calais, Maine) became the 626^th member cooperative, and Maine became the 45^th state served by Touchstone Energy cooperatives.

EMEC is excited about the opportunity to use the Touchstone Energy brand and to add strength to a message they have always communicated: EMEC is unique because it is owned by its members and is part of a national network of cooperatives.    

“We had been trying to demonstrate the co-op difference by ourselves, with our own efforts,” says James Dean, CEO of EMEC. “That’s like being content to play ‘Turkey in the Straw’ with a string band when you can have a national symphony being conducted by Touchstone Energy.”

Dean says EMEC has always prided itself on delivering the cooperative advantage to its members, and now looks forward to leveraging the brand to support its efforts.

“Aligning with Touchstone Energy gives us new tools for getting that message out,” said Dean. “We think that Touchstone Energy offers so much more–ways to involve local businesses, find potential sites for new industries to locate.  Over the next few months, we’ll be rolling out Touchstone Energy-related programs that will underscore the benefits of cooperative membership,” he added.

Pictured above are EMEC employees Jo-Ellen Leeman and Winnie Johnson.

In addition to EMEC, two cooperatives in the Pacific Northwest recently joined the Touchstone Energy ranks: Naknek Electric Association (Naknek, Alaska) and Benton REA (Prosser, Wash.).

Nominate Brand Leaders Today for Touchstone Energy's 2006 Brand Champion Award!

Nominations for the Touchstone Energy Brand Champion Award will be accepted through March 1. Created by the Touchstone Energy board of directors, the Brand Champion Award recognizes outstanding contributions and effectiveness by electric co-op CEOs, employees and directors in promoting the Touchstone Energy brand.

Nominees will be judged on:
- Leadership
- Effectiveness
- Innovation
- Consistency

The 2006 Brand Champions will be selected by the Touchstone Energy Cooperative Relations Advisory Committee made up of representatives from member cooperatives across the country.

Up to 10 Brand Champion Awards will be presented this year. The awards will be presented Thursday, May 18 at the Connect 2006 Conference in San Antonio. The application form should be submitted by March 1, 2006.

For more information or to request an application form, contact Marty Haught at marty.haught@nreca.coop or 703.907.5986.

Touchstone Energy Annual Meeting Feb. 21 in Orlando

Don’t miss Touchstone Energy’s Annual Meeting, which will be held in conjunction with the NRECA Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla. Touchstone Energy’s portion of the action is scheduled for the morning general session (8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.) on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The session will include the presentation of the 2006 Touchstone Energy Distinguished Service Award, the introduction of an exciting new initiative that recognizes co-op employees, and a tribute to cooperative heroes. National staff will be on hand at the Touchstone Energy exhibit during the conference expo.

Register for the NRECA Annual Meeting online at www.cooperative.com. 

Touchstone Energy EXTRA to all Co-ops in February

Hot off the presses, the winter edition of the Touchstone Energy EXTRA will be distributed at the NRECA Annual Meeting and also to the brand manager at each Touchstone Energy co-op in February. Brand managers will receive enough copies for every employee. The EXTRA is a great way to educate employees and keep them informed about Touchstone Energy. Every co-op employee is important in building the brand locally!

Co-op Connections Card: Don't Leave Home Without it

Planning to attend the NRECA Annual Meeting? Don’t forget to bring the Co-op Connections member benefit card. Participating co-ops will receive discounts on restaurant menu items at four of the hotels hosting attendees during the meeting. Members should present their card at the beginning of their meal to receive the discount at these hotels:

• Hilton Garden Inn Orlando at Sea World International Center’s Great American Grill will offer a complimentary appetizer with an entree purchase of equal or greater value to any guest presenting the Co-op Connections card February 17-22, 2006, during the dinner hours of 4:00 - 10:30 PM. 
  
   
• Sheraton Studio City will offer a complimentary dessert or appetizer with paid dinner at their on-site restaurant. Please show your Co-op Connections card at the onset of meal.
  
  
• Renaissance Orlando Resort at Sea World will give members a 10 percent discount to any of its five restaurants, deli and room service. The discount will not apply to alcohol purchases.
  
  
• Embassy Suites will extend a 10 percent discount off food and beverage purchases in the hotel restaurant to members presenting a Co-op Connections card.

In addition to valuable discounts at hotel restaurants, Clark County REMC (Sellersburg, Ind.) has secured a deal with the Chelsea Premium Outlet Center, which features 114 brand name stores. Participants can present their Co-op Connections card at the information desk to receive a free VIP coupon book. The outlet is less than 10 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center. 

New Face on the Touchstone Energy Staff

Touchstone Energy has a new staff member, Scott Bialick, who will serve as strategic communications program coordinator. Bialick will be members’ point of contact for questions on graphic standards, advertising and member benefit programs such as the Discovery Channel Get Charged! educational kit and the Co-op Connections member benefit card. Bialick will also fulfill member requests for any Touchstone Energy collateral materials.

A native of Queens, N.Y., Scott attended The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he graduated with a degree in marketing and finance.

Scott can be reached at 703.907.5627 or via e-mail at scott.bialick@nreca.coop.

Connect 2006 Announces Keynote Speakers

The excitement is building for the Connect 2006 Conference, which takes place May 16-19 in San Antonio. A diverse lineup of keynote speakers promises to deliver information that attendees can apply to their roles back home.

• Michael Sheehan is a Washington, D.C.-based communications expert who advises high-level government officials and business leaders. Sheehan will speak on the importance of focused and clear communication about some of the challenges facing the electric co-op network.
  
  
• Boris Brott is the conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He’ll use the medium of music to explore parallels between performance in an orchestra and performance in business: the juxtaposition of teamwork and leadership, the need for creativity within a framework, the two-stage process of musical creation and performance, the joy of communication and the achievement of success.
  
  
• Economist Don Reynolds will give an assessment of current political and economic events and forecast major trends in the global economy.
  
  
• Kateri Callahan is the director of the Alliance to Save Energy and will give an update on what’s happening across the country to promote energy efficiency.

Stay tuned for more program details and online registration at www.touchstoneenergy.coop.

North Carolina Co-ops Sponsor Youth Basketball Scholarships

Building on a program they established two years ago, North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives are offering two basketball scholarship opportunities in 2006. This year’s program was expanded to include scholarship opportunities for young men, in addition to scholarships already available to young women. Touchstone Energy Sports Camps Scholarships will send 27 girls and 27 boys, grades 6-8, to the Kay Yow Basketball Camp at North Carolina State University and the Roy Williams Basketball Camp at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Both camps work closely with each camper to help develop fundamental skills that will help the young athletes excel both on and off the court.

“We are pleased to expand this program to include both young men and women,” said Suzanne Ward, manager of public relations for the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives. “The Touchstone Energy Sports Camps program provides a unique educational and athletic opportunity for our state’s youth and demonstrates Touchstone Energy’s core values of accountability, integrity, innovation and particularly commitment to community,” added Ward.

Cooperative Difference Brochures Now Available in Spanish

A Spanish version of the Cooperative Difference brochure is now available on www.advancingthebrand.coop. The six-panel brochure is an effective tool for educating members about the value of cooperative membership.

Placing an order or downloading the design for the brochure is simple: go to www.advancingthebrand.coop click on the poster/counter card series link. Follow the instructions online to place an order.

Place Orders Now for CBA Cold-Air Balloons

Need a Touchstone Energy cold-air balloon for an annual meeting or co-op event?  Cooperative Balloon Associates has two 10-foot and two 20-foot balloons available on a daily or weekly basis.  The cold-air balloons are inflatable, tie-down versions of the hot-air balloon.  To reserve one, contact Kevin Bernson of CBA at 800.677.2612 or via email at coldairs@cbaballoon.com.

Quoteable Quote

“As a key account manager, the NET Conference has been very beneficial to me. Not only do the general sessions provide great information, but the Key Accounts Summit and conference tracks really drilled down to topics I need to be familiar with in my relationships with our key accounts.”

-Nick Edson, key accounts executive, Cherryland Electric Cooperative (Grawn, Mich.)

Editor, Erin Keogh
erin.keogh@nreca.coop
703.907.5572