Under the theme, “The Cooperative Economy: Grow, Participate, Connect,” IMPACT 2018 will amplify the impact co-ops already have in the U.S. and around the world and explore new ways co-ops can spur even greater economic growth and participation. Register now!
With a focus on measuring co-op economic impact, building an inclusive economy and financing cooperative growth, our IMPACT Track sessions bring together co-op industry and thought leaders, policymakers and other partners to explore how co-ops are creating space for broader economic participation.
During a session presented by Organic Valley, Equal Exchange, Shared Capital Cooperative and the Cooperative Fund of New England, you’ll consider the benefits of a cooperative sector that develops and supports its own capital resources first before turning to outside markets.
Since 2015, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) has carried out a collaborative program to support and enhance its members’ sustainability efforts. NCFC’s session will explore the real-world challenges facing sustainability efforts and the unique value co-ops bring to and realize from supply chain sustainability.
Our session from the Democracy at Work Institute will shed light on how worker co-op conversions can be a viable, scalable strategy for sharing prosperity and building a more inclusive and equitable economy. Attend this session to help catalyze a wave of conversions to cooperative ownership at a moment of generational opportunity!
Brining broadband connectivity to rural communities across America is a proven strategy to create jobs, attract new employers and jumpstart local economies, but obstacles to closing the digital divide remain. During this session from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, learn how electric co-ops are navigating these challenges and reinvesting in rural America.
An interactive session from the Neighboring Food Co-op Association will challenge IMPACT participants to consider who their co-op might be excluding and then take action to remove barriers to participation. You’ll learn about NFCA’s Food Co-ops & Healthy Food Access program and leave with the tools to improve your co-ops image and relevance.
By giving electric co-op members the ability to finance energy efficiency improvements over time, on-bill financing is an affordable way to integrate technology that ultimately reduces energy costs, improves reliability and increases efficiency. Our session from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute will explore how these programs are advancing durable economic development in rural America.
More detailed descriptions of these and more sessions are available on our newly-updated conference website, impactconference.coop. Sign up for Co-op Weekly to be the first to learn about new IMPACT Conference sessions—we’ll be adding more in the coming weeks!