Alliance members gathered on Thursday, May 28, to celebrate a major milestone, the cooperative’s 70th Anniversary Annual Meeting. The event brought together members from across the service territory for an evening filled with food, fun, learning, and a look toward the future.
The celebration kicked off at our remote locations in Howard and Alcester. Then we continued in Brandon, serving an impressive 1,029 meals to members and guests. The evening provided plenty of opportunities for attendees to connect with Alliance staff, learn about new technologies, and enjoy a variety of interactive activities.
One of the featured presentations focused on Online Safety in the Era of AI, where members learned how artificial intelligence is shaping today’s world and gained valuable tips for recognizing, avoiding, and reporting common scams. As technology continues to evolve, Alliance remains committed to helping members stay informed and protected.
Throughout the evening, members explored several hands-on exhibits and activities. Some stepped back in time by making calls on an old-fashioned pay phone, while others tested their driving skills by racing the Alliance truck on a simulator. The popular Ask the Experts area gave members the chance to chat with Alliance employees about everything from fiber internet and streaming services to Wi-Fi solutions, cybersecurity, capital credits, and more.
The fun continued with bingo and trivia, where lucky winners took home prizes and members enjoyed a little friendly competition. Giveaways, door prizes, and grand prize drawings added to the excitement and helped commemorate the cooperative’s 70-year legacy.
The evening concluded with Alliance CEO Ross Petrick’s annual address, where he reflected on the cooperative’s accomplishments over the past year and shared an exciting vision for the future. His presentation highlighted Alliance’s continued commitment to innovation, service, and meeting the evolving needs of its members.
As Alliance celebrates seven decades of service, the Annual Meeting served as a reminder of the cooperative principles that have guided the organization since its founding. Thank you to all the members who attended and helped make this year’s 70th Anniversary Annual Meeting a tremendous success. We look forward to continuing to serve our communities for many years to come.