Dairyland Hosts Key Accounts Forums to Strengthen Cooperative and Business Connections Dairyland Power Cooperative’s Key Accounts department hosted two Commercial and Industrial Key Accounts Forums this spring, bringing together cooperative members and some of their key end-use accounts for a closer look at Dairyland programs, operations and long-term power supply planning.
The forums were held April 7 and April 21 in Dairyland’s Administrative Building Boardroom and were organized by Jenny Kuderer-Radcliffe, Dairyland Key Accounts Manager. Each participating cooperative invited one or two key accounts to attend, creating a focused setting for conversation between Dairyland, member cooperatives and the businesses they serve.
On April 7, Dairyland welcomed key accounts from JCE Co-op, Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative and Heartland Power Cooperative. On April 21, Dairyland hosted key accounts from MiEnergy Cooperative, People’s Energy Cooperative and JCE Co-op.
The visits included presentations on Dairyland’s Economic Development and Load Management programs, an overview of power supply and a Q&A session with members of Dairyland’s Executive Team. Attendees also toured several areas of Dairyland’s La Crosse campus, including the System Operations Center, Biology and Chemistry labs and fleet facilities.
The forums were designed to help key accounts better understand the work happening behind the scenes to support safe, reliable and cost-effective electricity. For many commercial and industrial customers, electric service is a major part of their daily operations, production schedules and long-term business planning. By spending time with Dairyland staff and seeing operations firsthand, these businesses gained a stronger understanding of the cooperative power supply model and the resources available to support their success.
For member cooperatives, the forums offered another way to strengthen relationships with businesses that have a significant impact on their local communities. Key accounts are often among the largest employers, fastest-growing businesses or most essential service providers in a cooperative’s service territory. Their decisions about expansion, retention and operations can affect local jobs, tax base, infrastructure needs and future electric load. “Bringing key accounts together with Dairyland and our member cooperatives creates a valuable opportunity for two-way conversation,” said Kuderer-Radcliffe. “These businesses can learn more about the programs and people supporting their electric service, and we can learn more about the needs, challenges and opportunities they are seeing in their own operations.”
Cooperatives were encouraged to focus on Commercial and Industrial Key Accounts when selecting businesses to invite. These accounts may be defined by the size of their load, rate of growth, importance to the community and local economy or the company’s ability to expand or relocate in other locations. Since each cooperative defines key accounts differently, the forums gave members flexibility to invite businesses that would benefit most from the opportunity.
That flexibility is important. A manufacturer considering a facility expansion may have different questions than a hospital, school district, food processor or large agricultural operation. Some may be interested in load management options or reliability planning, while others may want to better understand economic development resources available through Dairyland and their local cooperative. The forums gave attendees a direct connection to people who can help answer those questions.
The events also reinforced the value of the cooperative network. Dairyland, its member cooperatives and local businesses each play a role in supporting strong rural economies. When key accounts are informed and engaged, they are better positioned to plan for growth. When cooperatives understand the needs of those businesses, they can provide more responsive service and support. When Dairyland hears directly from the businesses using power across the system, it helps strengthen planning for future programs, load growth and member support.
By opening Dairyland’s doors to key accounts, the forums helped connect boardroom conversations with day-to-day business needs across the service territory. The result was a practical opportunity to build relationships, share resources and support the continued vitality of the communities served by Dairyland and its member cooperatives.