2026 CEOs Fall Conference

Description

CEO FALL CONFERENCE
September 16-18, 2026
Sugar Lake Lodge 

Cohasset, MN
W 11:30am-7pm
Th 7:30am-7pm
F 8-11am

AGENDA

Wednesday September 16
11:00a   Check in
11:30a   Lunch with vendors
1:00p     Golf
6:30p     Reception & dinner

Thursday September  17
7:00a    Breakfast
8:00a    Welcome
8:05a    New CEO Hello/Thoughts
8:15a    Legal Challenges Facing Cooperatives Nationally: Ty Thompson, NRECA
9:15a    Battery storage program for member owners: Luke Johnson, Meeker Energy & Jenny Stryhn, Agralite Electric
9:45a    Standby charge concepts and overview across MN systems: Kristi Robinson, STAR Energy
10:15a  Break
10:30a  Work plan supply acquisition in inflationary environment: Border States
11:30a  Partnering with your cooperative communicators: Joe Miller, MREA
12:00p  Lunch
1:00p    Legislative update: Jenny Glumack, MREA
1:45p    Shared Services:
                   Shared CEO: Jim Haler
2:00p    Technology Shared Services
                    Panel discussion with Dave Hotchkiss and Dylan Aafedt, Lake Region Electric and Laura Boreen, Wild Rice Electric
2:45p    Break
3:00p    MREA Director of Safety Services, Cody Raveling introduction
3:15p    Round Table
4:15      Adjourn & CLAC elections
6:00      Reception & dinner

Friday September 18
7:00a    Breakfast
8:00a    Strategic Decision Making: Dave Taylor, LDR
9:30a    Break & CLAC election results
9:45a    Collaborating with Great Plains Institute-nuclear and beyond: Louise Miltich, GPI
10:45a  Top 5 Financial Best Practices: Alison Deelstra, CFC
                    Panel of CEOs moderated by Alison
11:45    Evaluations and adjournment

HOTEL  
Sugar Lake Lodge
37584 Otis Lane, MN 55721
To make reservations:
Call: 218-322-4582
Email: Brittany@sugarlakelodge.com 

If you email please include the following info:
First & Last name
Group - MREA
Dates/nights needed
Number of guests per room
Email address to respond to

Event Policies
MREA Event Cancellation Policy (Link to Full Policy) updated 12.19.2025

MREA Event Code of Conduct (Link to Full Policy)
MREA is committed to providing a safe, productive and welcoming environment for all participants and staff in MREA meetings, conferences, training programs, and events both online and in-person. All Event participants including but not limited to attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff, students, guests and vendors, are expected to abide by this MREA Event Code of Conduct, and this code applies to all space and situations in which MREA meeting-related activities are being conducted, including virtual meetings and those sponsored by organizations other than MREA but held in conjunction with MREA Events. Participation constitutes agreement to comply with the Code of Conduct as a condition of attendance. 

2026 Late Registration
All events in 2026 will be subject to a $50 late registration fee for anyone that registers 2 weeks prior to the published event dates.