Electric cooperatives are navigating an increasingly complex operating environment. Extreme weather. Wildfire risk. Grid reliability. Changing generation resources. Regulatory pressures. Rising costs. And through it all, the expectation remains the same: keep the lights on and deliver reliable, affordable power to members.

Join Dykema and cooperative leaders from across the nation for an intimate program focused on the issues shaping the future of electric cooperatives and the practical lessons that can help leaders prepare for what comes next.

Our program will bring together industry leaders and subject-matter experts for candid conversations about resilience, reliability, and risk, including lessons learned when systems and leadership teams are put to the test.

Featured speakers are expected to include:

• Mike Kezar: Winter Storm Uri brought the Texas electric grid to the brink. Hear firsthand how electric cooperatives navigated the crisis and the significant steps they have taken since to prepare generation resources for extreme conditions. Mike will also share insights from testimony before Texas lawmakers investigating the statewide power crisis, offering a cooperative perspective on preparedness, generation reliability, and the realities of operating within a stressed regional grid.
• Wildfire Risk & Resilience Expert: Wildfire is no longer solely a Western utility issue. Hear how utilities and their leaders are approaching wildfire prevention and mitigation, infrastructure resilience, emergency preparedness, liability exposure, and the operational decisions that can make a difference before, during, and after a catastrophic event.
• Cooperative Energy Leadership: hear from a power cooperative who will discuss the evolving generation landscape and the challenges and opportunities facing cooperatives as they plan for reliable, affordable power for the years ahead.

Throughout Friday's leadership program, we'll explore issues including:

• Keeping the lights on when the grid is under stress: What extreme events teach us about preparation, reliability and resilience.
• Wildfire and catastrophic-event risk: What cooperative boards and executives should be thinking about before an event occurs.
• The future of power supply: Navigating generation, transmission, resource adequacy and an evolving energy mix while protecting affordability and reliability.
• Lessons from the front lines: What leaders who have managed through major operational events would do again—and what they would do differently.
• Leadership when the stakes are high: Managing operational, regulatory, legal and reputational risk when decisions have to be made quickly.

Thursday, November 5^th | Reception and Dinner at Aerie Restaurant & Lounge

The Summit will kick off Thursday, November 5, with an opening reception and dinner at Aerie Restaurant & Lounge, the crown jewel of Grand Traverse Resort's dining experiences. Perched on the 16th floor of the Tower with panoramic views of Grand Traverse Bay, Aerie provides a spectacular setting to connect with fellow cooperative executives, speakers and industry leaders before Friday's program begins. This isn't simply a reception before a seminar. It's an opportunity to spend an evening with peers, exchange ideas, and build relationships with leaders who understand the unique responsibilities and challenges of the cooperative model.

Friday, November 6 | Cooperative Leadership Program

Following Thursday evening's reception and dinner, we'll reconvene Friday morning for a focused leadership program at the beautiful Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. Come for the conversations you won't get from a webinar. Stay for the relationships, shared experiences, and practical ideas you can take back to your cooperative.

*Space will be limited to encourage meaningful discussion and interaction among attendees.