AzGT-Transmission-Line

Arizona’s Inaugural Co-op Communicator Conference

By Hannah Capozzi

Arizona Electric Power Cooperatives Executive Director of Power Production Mike Nelson leads co-op communicators on a tour of Apache Generating Station. Photos courtesy of Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association

Communicating the cooperative difference is a key pillar of every electric co-op’s communications plan. The Arizona electric co-op communicators built upon that foundation at the first-ever co-op communicator conference on April 16 and 17.

Co-op communications staff from across the state converged at the Arizona Electric Power Cooperatives’ (AEPCO) office for a 1-and-a-half-day conference. In the spirit of cooperation among co-ops, AEPCO CEO Patrick Ledger and Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association (GCSECA) CEO Dave Lock kicked off the meeting with a warm welcome to all attendees and set the tone of expectation for the conference.

Mike explains power production at Apache Generating Station.

Attendees shared updates, gathered feedback, and collaborated during roundtable discussions throughout the first day. GCSECA staff also attended the event, sharing updates from each department on current events and the political issues facing co-ops at the state and federal levels.

Trico Electric Co-op Digital Marketing Manager Megan Litwicki led an insightful presentation and group discussion about Trico’s nationally recognized social media channels and engagement, and how to launch similar projects at other co-ops.

Public speaker and teacher Bob Logan also presented to attendees during the afternoon session, complete with interactive sessions for professional development.

Day 2 of the conference consisted of a morning tour of the Apache Generating Station in Cochise for all attendees. Co-op communicators were led throughout Apache Station by AEPCO Executive Director of Power Production Mike Nelson and shown the intricacies of how power and electricity are generated and transmitted across the state to each electric co-op.

GCSECA Director of Federal Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs Jorge Canaca discusses political issues facing co-ops.

Though this conference was the first of its kind for Arizona, it will now be an annual event through GCSECA’s Member and Public Relations Committee. Overall, the conference facilitated co-op networking, information sharing, and professional development. GCSECA looks forward to continuing and expanding the conference in the coming years.