Ideas from Utility Pioneers scored high at the Cooperative Communicators Association 2025 Awards. “The StoryConnect Podcast” won for best cooperative education and Best in Show for the programs and projects category, while the Keep it Cooperative campaign and 2025 content planner earned first-place nods, too.
Sometimes in his writing career, Craig Reed lucked into finding great magazine stories. Other times, finding great stories depended on effort and a strategy to look in the right places. At StoryConnect 2025 Craig shared those story-searching strategies and what to do with a story when you find it.
NRECA’s 2025 CONNECT Conference delivered sessions packed with storytelling ideas for Utility Pioneers. From rediscovering the power of play to thinking INSIDE the box to boost creativity, five of the ideas are already changing how we approach our work. See how to fight burnout with joy, stay strategic for storm storytelling, find meaningful member stories, tell tangible tales and think outside the box on our best practices blog.
Our broadband guide, “What to Expect When You’re Connecting,” focuses on launching broadband programs. Once you’ve done that, what’s next? We interviewed broadband communicators across the nation to find out what your peers are doing to connect more of their communities in our new guide, “How to Boost Broadband Connections.” “Broadband marketing is not a […]
Rising costs and stories of meeting shared challenges with steady leadership and cooperation were the themes of Pioneer Utility Resources’ Cooperative Member Meeting on May 8. Get highlights from the meeting at pioneer.coop.
Utility Pioneer Lydia Walters wins Pioneers’ 2025 D’Avanzo Communications Leadership Award. Meet her, see her award-winning work and learn how her volunteer efforts helped build a legacy of storytelling nationally.
Art shows, lobby displays, social content and more—Theresa Phillips shares how Lassen MUD works with consumers to showcase their community on the magazine cover and in a much-coveted custom calendar each year!
Whether they're blasting off to space to explore planets or solving mysteries across departments, one Oregon utility hosts an exciting career adventure every spring. Utility Pioneer Sarah Johnson shares how Clatskanie PUD turns Take Your Kid to Work Day into a memorable adventure for employees’ families.
Marketing “pirates” from across the country converged on St. Augustine, Florida, for StoryConnect 2025, Pioneer’s unique story-swapping experience. Miss the adventure? Get top takeaways from attendees and tactics from our highest-rated sessions.
What You’ll Learn How do you get consumers invested in focus groups? Rebrand them as influencers! Anna Politano shares how people are reacting to Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives‘ Co-op Influencers Program. Guest Speaker Anna Politano Show Notes Transcripts have been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Intro: A production of Pioneer Utility Resources. StoryConnect, […]
What You’ll Learn In Kansas, one utility is handing out branded cash to use at local businesses during festivals. Hear Erma Ratliff share the idea behind Kanokla Cash to see if the idea could help you cash in on community growth, too! Guest Speaker Erma Ratliff Show Notes Transcripts are lightly edited for clarity and […]
We love lineworkers all year long, but each spring offers a special day to focus on the men and women who connect our lives. Since Congress designated April 18, 2013, as National Lineman Appreciation Day, utilities across the nation take time to #ThankaLineworker. You can find a bit of the profession’s history (and a nice infographic) […]
