Tag Archive for 'Touchstone Energy'

Tri-State, Touchstone Energy backs Wyo.’s Salute to Agriculture

Published on March 14, 2013 in Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , .

InfoWyo_logoTri-State, the Wyoming Rural Electric Association and the rest of Wyoming’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives are once again serving as proud sponsors of the Salute to Agriculture campaign, a 10-part radio news series presented every spring.

This year’s program runs March 18-22 and will feature agricultural leaders discussing changes, challenges and the future of the industry – and why it’s important to all citizens of Wyoming. The segments will be posted on Wyoming’s Cowboy State News Network website and aired on numerous radio stations across the state.

Touchstone Energy celebrating 15th anniversary in 2013

Published on March 8, 2013 in Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , .

It was 15 years ago next month that the national brand for America’s electric cooperatives was officially launched — and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have come a long way in that relatively short amount of time.

The hugely-popular Touchstone Energy balloon has made appearances all across the country, including this stop in Loveland, Colo., in May of 2011.

The hugely-popular Touchstone Energy balloon has made appearances all across the country, including this stop in Loveland, Colo., in May of 2011.

“It truly has been remarkable,” said Jim Bausell, chief operating officer. “Really, 15 years in the brand-building world is basically still in the infancy stage. Yet, when you look at how we’ve grown in that time, it’s almost mind boggling.”

In that short amount of time, the brand has grown to include 741 member co-ops in 46 states — including Tri-State, 43 of its member systems and the statewide associations in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.

“While our membership has experienced steady growth of the years, so have the number of programs, products and services that we have developed for use by the co-ops to educate and communicate with their member-owners — as well as assist them in using electricity more wisely to save them money,” Bausell said.

Newly-appointed NRECA board president Curtis Nolan, who represents an Arizona electric co-op and its G&T, recently voiced his support of the national branding program. “I urge all co-ops to take advantage of this occasion and focus on what the brand has to offer in telling your story and helping your consumer-members learn about energy efficiency and keeping electric bills affordable,” Nolan said.

The Touchstone Energy draft horse hitch has been a part of the National Western Stock Show since the brand’s inception in 1998.

The Touchstone Energy draft horse hitch has been a part of the National Western Stock Show since the brand’s inception in 1998.

Tri-State serves as the regional representative for 43 of its member systems that are Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. As such, it coordinates regional advertising and sponsorship efforts, communications initiatives and educational opportunities — helping the co-ops to integrate and implement the brand’s core values and characteristics into their day-to-day activities.

Among the most successful regional partnerships that the G&T has coordinated over the years are the sponsorship of the Touchstone Energy draft horse hitch at the annual National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver, as well as the involvement in the annual Country Cares radiothon on KYGO radio that supports the work at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A number of events are planned across the country throughout 2013 to mark and celebrate the 15th anniversary milestone. You can read more about the birth of the brand in the spring issue of Tri-State’s quarterly magazine, Network, which will be published in early April.

 

Touchstone Energy hitch delivers at this year’s stock show

Published on January 22, 2013 in General and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , , .
Tri-State senior vice president/CFO Pat Bridges rides shotgun on the Touchstone Energy hitch during a recent National Western Stock Show rodeo performance.

Tri-State senior vice president/CFO Pat Bridges rides shotgun on the Touchstone Energy hitch during a recent National Western Stock Show rodeo performance.

The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo’s popular six-horse draft hitch — presented by the region’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives — is once again successfully delivering an important message to thousands of visitors to the event: that rural electric cooperatives are owned by the members they serve and are committed to providing safe, reliable electricity at the lowest price possible.

For the 15th consecutive year, Tri-State’s communications team has coordinated the high-profile Touchstone Energy sponsorship at Denver’s National Western Stock Show. In addition to many hitch performances, Touchstone Energy messaging is being heard on radio, seen on television, print and online promotions and visible throughout the stock show grounds.

The 16-day event provides valuable opportunities to connect with the members of the communities that Tri-State and its member co-ops serve. “The stock show seems to get better every year; a one-day gate attendance record (Jan. 19) has already been set at the 2013 event,” said Tri-State communications manager Jim Van Someren. “Many people visiting and competing in the various events are served by rural electric cooperatives which makes it a natural fit and a great partnership for us.”

NWSS-logoThe National Western Stock Show is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate level scholarships in agriculture and medicine for practice in rural areas. Its mission also is to serve producers and consumers throughout the world by being the premier stock show, rodeo, horse show and center for year-round events.

The 107th annual event runs through Jan. 27.

Tri-State is saddling up for the National Western Stock Show

Published on December 14, 2012 in General and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Stock-showThe 2013 National Western Stock Show and Rodeo kicks off in Denver on January 12, and Tri-State and the region’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives will once again be in the heart of the action. For the 15th year in a row, Tri-State and our fellow Touchstone Energy co-ops will be presenting the popular – and powerful – six-horse draft hitch.

The hitch is one of the National Western’s top entertainment attractions and will be featured at all Pro Rodeo (PRCA) performances, Mexican Rodeo Extravaganzas, the Martin Luther King Rodeo and the annual NWSS Parade in downtown Denver on Jan. 10. In addition, Touchstone Energy messaging will appear in print and online promotions as well on site throughout the grounds.

The event continues to provide valuable opportunities to connect with the members of the communities that Tri-State serves. “Tri-State is pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with the Stock Show,” said Tri-State communications manager Jim Van Someren. “Like Tri-State and our member co-ops, the organization is committed to helping the West’s rural areas thrive. Its mission is closely aligned with ours.”

NWSS-logoThe National Western Stock Show is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate level scholarships in agriculture and medicine for practice in rural areas. Its mission also is to serve producers and consumers throughout the world by being the premier stock show, rodeo, horse show and center for year-round events. The 107th annual event will take place Jan. 12-27, 2013.

  • Listen to a radio commercial promoting the six-horse draft hitch at this year’s National Western Stock Show and Rodeo

Riders show their mettle in “Pedal the Plains”

Published on September 25, 2012 in General and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

The dozen cyclists and volunteers representing team Touchstone Energy in Wray after the first leg of the three-day “Pedal the Plains” tour.

Last weekend (Sept. 21-23) 1,000 bicycle enthusiasts saddled up for a three-day, 168-mile circuit across eastern Colorado’s electric co-op country for the first annual “Pedal the Plains” bicycle tour that was sponsored in part by Tri-State and its member Colorado Touchstone Energy Cooperatives.

This well attended and highly successful cycling rally was the brainchild of Colo. Gov. Hickenlooper, who also was a rider in the event. The goal of the tour was to celebrate the roots and the frontier heritage of Colorado’s eastern plains.

With the help of Tri-State, the Colorado Rural Electric Association (CREA) and 10 of the association’s member cooperatives, a team of 12 cyclists volunteered to represent Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives’ bike team to help spotlight the vital  service that electric co-ops provide to the many farms, ranches and communities that are within this Pedal the Plains tour area.

Left to right are Dave Frick, manager of Morgan County REA, Tri-State’s Terri Marranzino-Ray and Dave’s brother Kyle Frick. This trio powered through 217 total miles during the tour.

Included on the Touchstone Energy team were Terri Marranzino-Ray, Tri-State’s fleet manager, several friends and relatives of Tri-State employees, as well as Kent Singer, general manager of CREA.

In addition to promoting the region’s rural electric cooperatives, the Touchstone Energy team rode to help raise money for Energy Outreach Colorado, a non-profit organization that helps struggling Colorado families pay their heating bills in the winter.

“I really can’t say enough about the hospitality and friendly reception that we received in all three of the towns that hosted this event.  I will definitely be back next year,” said Marranzino-Ray.

The fleet manager was among a small cadre of tour participants who not only completed the standard 168-mile course, but also battled buffeting headwinds and the occasional goat head (stickers that cause bike flats) to complete the optional course side junkets for a whopping total of 217 miles completed during this challenging event.

The three main legs of the eastern plains tour were from Yuma to Wray, Wray to Burlington and Burlington back to Yuma on the third and final day. Celebrations in the host towns included a “Plains Party and Festival” in Burlington and a “Celebration of Agriculture” in Yuma.

Tri-State shared a roadside kiosk with Duke Energy on Saturday (Sept. 22) to offer riders on their way from Wray to Burlington refreshments and guided tours of the Kit Carson Windpower site.  More than 100 cyclists stopped by for a wind tour and to learn about Duke Energy, Tri-State and its member co-ops.

Tri-State joins Wyoming State Fair 100th anniversary celebration

Published on August 22, 2012 in General, Public Meetings and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , .

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police journeyed to Douglas, Wyo. to be part of Wyoming’s centennial state fair celebration last week.

Wyoming’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives helped Wyoming celebrate its 100th annual state fair in Douglas last week as a key sponsor, specifically presenting armed forces appreciation day and several rodeo mutton bustin’ events. Tri-State has been a fair sponsor for nearly a decade.

Two years of planning led up to this year’s event, which has a tradition of showcasing Wyoming heritage, agriculture, industries, youth, entrepreneurs, artists and more. “We were thrilled, and have had nothing but positive comments,” said Vicki Rupert, deputy director of the Wyoming State Fair and Rodeo.

The eight-day celebration featured bustling exhibit halls, commercial exhibits, carnival, parade, concerts, livestock show rings where Wyoming’s best competed for top honors and much more – all for just a $1 gate fee.

Saddle bronc riding has remained a century-long favorite Wyoming State Fair and Rodeo event.

The 100th anniversary also brought special new entertainment and experiences this year, including performances by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, country music stars, a draft horse show, metal arts contest and Dutch oven contest. Continue reading ‘Tri-State joins Wyoming State Fair 100th anniversary celebration’

Touchstone Energy co-ops to tee off on hunger

Published on July 26, 2012 in General and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Tri-State and the rest of Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives will be taking their best shot to help take a bite out of hunger when they serve as title sponsors of the inaugural Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives 2012 Golf Classic on Aug. 20 at Perry Park Country Club in Larkspur, Colo.

The event is being hosted by the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce and is a fundraising effort benefiting Feeding Colorado, an association of the five Feeding America food banks throughout Colorado, including: Care and Share of Southern Colorado, Community Food Share (Boulder and Longmont), Food Bank for Larimer County (Fort Collins), Weld Food Bank (Greeley) and Food Bank of the Rockies (Denver and Grand Junction).

“When we first began planning the tournament, we definitely knew we wanted it to benefit a worthwhile cause that has a statewide reach,” said Darryl Edwards, member services manager at Tri-State member co-op Mountain View Electric Association and coordinator of the event. “Feeding Colorado has that broad impact,” he said, “providing meals and other services to people in need across the state – which in many cases includes electric co-op member-consumers.”

Combined, the five food banks distribute food to more than 1,500 nonprofit agencies statewide, such as food pantries and soup kitchens, daycare centers, battered women’s shelters and residential treatment centers. As 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, the food banks depend on broad community support from individuals, local governments and corporations.

Although tournament registration is open to the general public, Touchstone Energy co-op directors and employees are especially encouraged to participate by putting together a foursome and enjoying a world-class golf venue – while also supporting the mission of Feeding Colorado. Download a brochure and registration form.

The inaugural event is being held at the Perry Park Country Club in Larkspur, Colo., which is about 40 miles south of Denver.

“By coordinating our efforts and resources as a regional group of Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, we have had a tremendous amount of success over the past number of years supporting and participating in a variety of worthwhile causes and events,” said Tri-State communications manager Jim Van Someren. “These include our involvement in the National Western Stock Show, fairs in our four states, charity radiothons and other sponsorships. I think the golf tournament will be a nice addition to these activities,” he said.

If you have questions or need more information, feel free to contact Darryl Edwards at 719-650-5681 or edwardsd@mvea.org.

2012 National Western wraps up with high numbers

Published on January 25, 2012 in General and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

The 2012 National Western Stock Show and Rodeo completed its 16-day run Sunday, Jan. 22. This year’s event, sponsored in part by Tri-State and the region’s Touchstone Energy co-ops, saw a total attendance of about 636,000. That ranks it among the top 10 for the number of visitors over the past 106 years, according to Stock Show officials.

Many Stock Show visitors saw the Touchstone Energy-sponsored six-horse draft hitch perform at all pro rodeo performances and other scheduled events.  This year’s hitch was provided by Black Hollow Percherons from Plum City, Wisconsin.

The National Western junior livestock auction was also notable and broke several records this year. Nearly 100 animals were sold for a highest-ever total of $611,000 – that’s about $20,000 more than the previous record. The money helps fund a college education for young people who intend to pursue a living in livestock and agriculture.

Overall, the 2012 National Western and Tri-State’s involvement with it can be considered a huge success. “We couldn’t be happier,” said Paul Andrews, the National Western’s president and chief executive

Parade kicks off 2012 National Western Stock Show

Published on January 6, 2012 in General and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

The Westernaires are a perennial favorite at the National Western Stock Show.

The one-of-a-kind National Western Stock Show Parade, featuring a longhorn cattle drive, marching bands, floats, rodeo clowns, cowgirls, cowboys and more meandered along 14 blocks of Denver’s downtown business district yesterday to celebrate the opening of the 106th annual show.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock also declared parade day to be “Dress Western Day” in the city, encouraging downtown workers, visitors and others to show their western spirit.  The parade’s grand marshal was former Denver Mayor Federico Peña.

The Rocky Mountain region’s electric cooperatives are once again serving as one of the main sponsors of National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, which officially opens tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the National Western Complex and runs through Jan. 22. Continue reading ‘Parade kicks off 2012 National Western Stock Show’

Touchstone Energy holds Wyoming ‘brand camp’

Published on September 26, 2011 in General. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Representatives from Tri-State member systems in Wyoming and the Wyoming Rural Electric Association (WREA), as well as a few Tri-State employees, gathered in Casper recently to learn about the programs and tools available to them through Touchstone Energy.

The Touchstone Energy Brand Camp was led by Ann Maggard, director of communications at Touchstone Energy. Throughout the workshop, attendees gained
information about the resources available to their co-ops, such as the Co-op Connections Card, Web builder and the new online portal for business-to-business discounts — BIZ Connections.

Additionally, those in attendance were treated to a guest speaker from the minor league team, the Casper Ghosts, who discussed marketing and promotions on
a small budget and with new management.

Touchstone Energy (Arlington, Va.) is an alliance of more than 700 local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives in 46 states who are dedicated to providing
members with reliable, high-quality service at competitive prices. Tri-State and 43 of its 44 member cooperatives are members of Touchstone Energy.