2026 CEOs Spring Conference

Description

CEO SPRING CONFERENCE
April 1-2, 2026 (W 8:00-4:30, Th 8:00-12)
The Park Event Center
Waite Park, MN

AGENDA Subject to change
Wednesday, April 1

7:00am      Registration & Breakfast
8:00am      Welcome 
8:15am      Critical Questions Facing Rural America - Brent Challenger, CoBank Chief Banking Officer
9:00am      Wildfire Legislation at the State Legislature - Mark Lambrecht, Montana Statewide CEO
10:00am    Break
10:15am    The Ins and Outs of the Electric Grid Affordability Discussion - Tricia Elite
11:15am     Early Learnings from PFML Implementation - Jim Starych, NFP
12:15pm    Lunch
1:15pm      Rethinking Safety: A Leadership Strategy for Reliability and Performance - Noel Hengelbrok & Scott Modell, Collaborative Safety
2:45pm      Advocate Lead at each MREA Cooperative Roll-out - Joe Miller
3:05pm     Break
3:20pm     CFC Board - Mylo Einarson Introduction
3:30pm     Large Load Integration Perspectives and Discussion - Mylo Eienarson, Nodak Electric CEO, Josh Kraemer, ND Statewide CEO, Adam Tromblay, Nobles Electric CEO
4:30pm     Adjourn
5:30pm     Reception and Dinner with Platinum/Gold Vendors

Thursday, April 2

7:00am      Breakfast
8:00am      Shall Two Become One? Merger Activities at Steele-Waseca and Goodhue - Syd Briggs, Kelly Hovel
8:45am      Artificial Intelligence at Cooperatives in MN - Ron Meyer(McLeod), Justin Jahnz(ECE), Anthony Lenz(MREA)
9:45am      Break
10:00am   Rate Design as a Tool - Demand and Other Priorities Ben, PSE
11:15am   CEO Roundtable - CLAC elections at September meeting
12:00pm   Evaluations and Adjourn

VENDOR MEMBERS
Platinum and Gold vendors are welcome to sponsor and attend dinners and networking.
The sponsorship includes one attendee, for additional attendees please reach out to Amanda Meredith at Amanda@mrea.org, she will assist in getting your team members registered.

COST
Please see registration page for pricing

HOTEL
Residence Inn by Marriott
450 Division Street
Waite Park, MN
Residence Inn Booking Link 

Hilton Garden Inn
550 Division Street
Waite Park, MN
Hilton Garden Inn Booking Link 

Event Policies
MREA Event Cancellation Policy (Link to Full Policy) updated 4.30.2025

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 less than 2 weeks prior to the published event dates.