Lake Saint Louis, Mo., Oct. 13, 2020 – National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), a leading provider of software solutions to utility and telecommunication companies, kicked off its dynamic virtual learning event Oct. 13 for NISC Members and guests.

The two-day conference, coined THRIVE ’20, is being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to NISC President and CEO Dan Wilbanks, who assumed the role in January 2020, the chosen title “THRIVE” couldn’t be more appropriate when it comes to NISC’s Member organizations and their employees this year.

“Your members and customers have been relying on you more now than ever before,” Wilbanks said. “But we know these challenges can bring out the best in us. Inspire us to innovate, think outside of the box, help others in new ways and come together. That’s exactly what you all have done this year. You rose to the challenge and are thriving.”

More than 5,000 people registered for THRIVE ’20, including 130 guests, 30 partners, 700 employees and more than 4,000 attendees representing 700 different Member organizations.

During the Opening General Session, Wilbanks touched on NISC’s efforts to serve its Members since the transition in March to working from home. Those efforts include taking 25 new Members live virtually on NISC software, completing 33 virtual workshops, 171 virtual Account Manager Visits and 31 virtual business process consulting engagements.

“Our teams have worked hard reengineering and reinventing processes to add even more value to the Members’ experience,” he said. “Although we look forward to the day we can be onsite with you again, how we engage with you is now forever changed. We will strive to develop the most efficient and effective way to meet your needs, whether in person or virtual.”

THRIVE’s Day 1 agenda also included timely learning sessions, many of which included employees from Member organizations sharing real-world lessons and best practices, along with the Telecom and Utility Roadmap sessions that provided snapshots of what’s in the works at NISC and innovations to come.

Within the Roadmap sessions was the announcement of NISC’s iVUE Connect – Marketing solution, which can help Members leverage the full marketing lifecycle, from building leads to market segmentation and marketing campaign management. In addition, NISC introduced simplification of its enterprise marketing that shifts from a product-specific approach to one that’s more process focused and integration driven.

The opening day concluded with some fun and interactive trivia during “THRIVE Live!”.

Day 2 will feature more learning sessions along with an exciting keynote by Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, a safety and leadership expert best known for serving as Captain on an emergency flight landing that’s been called the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

Throughout the event, attendees are able to visit the Solutions Lab where NISC Members can dive deeper into various solutions areas and interact with NISC subject matter experts, and a Virtual Expo (VExpo) for Partners to showcase their solutions and services.

Via the #CoopStrong initiative at THRIVE, attendees are also encouraged to support Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 local food banks and 60,000 food pantries across the U.S.

THRIVE ’20 is being held in place of this year’s canceled Member Information Conference (MIC), NISC’s annual Member learning event. Wilbanks was formally introduced to many Members for the first time in-person during last year’s MIC. At that time, he could never have imagined NISC’s 2020 fall event would be completely virtual.

“The MIC is our favorite event of the year because it’s an opportunity to see you face-to-face. And I have to tell you, we are greatly missing the magic of the MIC this year,” Wilbanks said. “But this year has reinforced why we are here: Your success is our priority. I’m so proud of the NISC staff and our Members for your agility and resilience. I am confident there is no challenge we can’t overcome, together.”

For more information about NISC’s THRIVE ’20, visit www.thrive.coop.