Your Challenges, Shared Solutions
The Engineering & Operations Conference is APPA’s annual meeting—attracting over 400 utility professionals, industry experts and suppliers—to share information, discover best practices, and learn from case studies.
Meet other utility professionals—both veterans and those new to the electric utility industry—and share ideas and experiences in four critical areas:
- Environmental Issues
- Grid Modernization
- Safety
- Transmission & Distribution
Co-hosted by:
Topics
Conference attendees get the latest information from experts in their fields, learn about the national issues and industry-wide activities and trends that are affecting their communities and utilities, network and share experiences and strategies for dealing with key issues and challenges including:
- Distributed energy resources; environmental regulations; technology innovations; reliability, safety and mutual aid; security; system planning, forecasting and modeling; and operational resilience and process improvement.
Who Should Attend
Conference sessions are designed for utility employees at both the professional and management levels.
Attendees typically include vice presidents, superintendents, directors, managers, engineers, and safety and training personnel. Electric utility directors, city managers, and future leaders, will also benefit from learning more about these strategic areas and making connections with the national public power community.
Serve as an Officer
Utility employees play a vital role in planning the conference to bring you important topics. Incoming Vice Chairs for committees will be selected in February. Email [email protected] if you are interested in taking a leadership position in the conference by serving as an officer for one of the following tracks:
- Environmental
- Grid modernization
- Safety
- Transmission & distribution
Contact Us
Registration: [email protected]
Program/Content: [email protected]
Hotel: [email protected]
Billing: [email protected]
Program
The Engineering & Operations Conference offers three days of keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities—Sunday, April 30 – Wednesday May 3.
- Pre-conference seminars on Sunday are a great value-add.
- General sessions bring everyone together on broader issues.
- Breakout sessions dive deeper into four key areas: environmental services, grid modernization and innovation, safety, and transmission and distribution.
- Networking events and the Public Power NextTech Expo provide connection opportunities.
Agenda at a Glance
![]() Environmental |
![]() Grid Modernization |
![]() Transmission |
![]() Safety |
![]() Industry Spotlights |
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Monday , May 1 |
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8:45 - 10 am | Opening General Session Chair's Address Culture by Design, the Xbox Way |
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10:30 - 11:45 am | Federal Regulatory Overview | Broadband and 5G Deployment | Supply Chain Strategies | Key Updates to the APPA Safety Manual | |
1:15 - 2:30 pm | Getting Ahead of Compliance Requirements | Managing Risk with High Load Customers | Asset Management: Predicting the Future | Grounding Procedures: An In-Depth Review | |
3 - 4:15 pm | Managing PFAS Contamination | Scaling Up Public EV Charging | How to Do a Root Cause Analysis | ||
4:15 - 5:15 pm | Walking Tour: Marengo EV Charging Plaza (optional) | ||||
Tuesday, May 2 |
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8:45 - 10 am | General Session & Awards The Common Sense Clean Energy Revolution |
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10:30 - 11:45 am | Building Resilience in a Changing Environment | Enable Data-driven Processes with AMI | Using the Incident Command System Guide for Electric Utilities | Joint Action Agency/State and Regional Association Roundtable | |
1:15 - 2:30 pm | Emerging Technologies: Replacing Fossil Fuels | Renewables: Risks and Rewards | Putting Your Community First in Disaster Planning | Utilizing Safety Metrics to Better Assess Risk | |
3 - 4:15 pm | Environmental Roundtable | Deploying Mobile Microgrids | Using Selective Relays to Reduce Faults | Job Site Safety and Roundtable Discussion |
Industry Spotlight: Automated Thermal Patrol |
Wednesday, May 3 |
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8:45 - 10 am | Closing General Session 127 Hours: Turning Adversity to Advantage |
Conference Program
Sunday, April 30 |
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8:30 am – 5 pm |
Pre-conference Seminars |
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8:30 am – Noon |
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1:30 – 5 pm |
5 – 6:30 pm |
Welcome Reception with Sponsors (Public Power NextTech Expo) |
Monday, May 1 |
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7:30 – 8:30 am. |
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8:45 – 10 am |
Opening General Session
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10 – 10:30 am |
Break with Sponsors (Public Power NextTech Expo) |
10:30 – 11:45 am |
Breakout Sessions
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11:45 am – 1:15 pm |
Lunch (on your own) |
1:15 – 2:30 pm |
Breakout Sessions
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2:30 – 3 pm |
Break with Sponsors (Public Power NextTech Expo) |
3 – 4:15 pm |
Breakout Sessions
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4:15 – 5:15 pm | Optional Tour! Visit Pasadena's Marengo Charging Plaza After the last breakout session, attendees are invited to take a short walk to visit the Marengo Charging Plaza, the largest public DC Fast Charging Plaza in the U.S. (a joint project with Tesla) that incorporates all three fast-charging standards (with a total of 44 DC fast chargers: 20 PWP Universal Chargers and 24 Tesla Chargers). The tour will last about 30 minutes and look at the 2.5MW utility service, as well as the rooftop switchgear and the DC fast chargers in use. Plan on one hour total for the tour (including walking time). |
Tuesday, May 2 |
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7:30 – 8:30 am |
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8:45 – 10 am |
General Session
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10 – 10:30 am |
Break with Sponsors (Public Power NextTech Expo) |
10:30 – 11:45 am |
Breakout Sessions
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11:45 am – 1:15 pm |
Lunch (on your own) |
1:15 – 2:30 pm |
Breakout Sessions
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2:30 – 3 pm |
Break with Sponsors (Public Power NextTech Expo) |
3 – 4:15 pm |
Breakout Sessions
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4:30 – 6 pm |
Reception |
Wednesday, May 3 |
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7:30 – 8:30 am |
Networking Breakfast |
8:45 – 10 am |
Closing General Session 127 Hours: Turning Adversity to Advantage
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10 am |
Conference Adjourns |
Contact Us
Registration: [email protected]
Program/Content: [email protected]
Sponsorship/Expo: [email protected]
Hotel: [email protected]
Billing: [email protected]
Registration Fees
REGISTER FOR THE ENGINEERING & OPERATIONS CONFERENCE
2023 Conference Registration Fees
Members | Nonmembers | |||
Register by March 31 |
After March 31 |
Register by March 31 |
After March 31 |
|
Engineering & Operations Conference |
$925 | $1,025 | $1,850 | $1,950 |
Preconference Seminars (each) | $375 | $475 | $750 | $850 |
Not yet a member? Join today and save money on your conference registration. Contact [email protected] to learn more.
Group Discounts
Save money on each registration when your organization registers five or more people. The larger your group, the more you save!
Number of registrants | Discount (per person) |
Member Registration Fee (per person, before March 31) |
1-4 | n/a | $925 |
5-9 | $50 | $875 |
10-14 | $100 | $825 |
15-24 | $150 | $775 |
25+ | $200 | $725 |
Your group discount will be automatically applied when you register a group of 5 or more people. Registrations must be submitted on the same order (at the same time) to qualify for the group discount; discounts cannot be retroactively applied to previous orders.
Meals
The following food functions/meals are included in the conference registration fee:
- Sunday: Welcome Reception
- Monday: Continental Breakfast
- Tuesday: Continental Breakfast; Reception
- Wednesday: Continental Breakfast
Cancellation, Refund, and Substitution Policy
Registrants who cancel in writing on or before April 24, 2023, are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $50 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after April 24 will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed for the 2023 Engineering & Operations Conference only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel on or before April 24 are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund.
Cancellation requests should be made through your My.PublicPower portal, or addressed to: [email protected].
Code of Conduct
Attendees of American Public Power Association meetings agree to abide by the APPA Code of Conduct. If attendees engage in unacceptable behavior as outlined in the Code of Conduct, the Association may take any action it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, expulsion from the current and future meetings with no warning or refund.
Contact Us
Registration: [email protected]
Program/Content: [email protected]
Hotel: [email protected]
Billing: [email protected]
Hotel
The 2023 Engineering & Operations Conference will take place at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
Pasadena Convention Center
300 East Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
Attendees should stay in the APPA room block at the Sheraton Pasadena Hotel or the Hyatt Place Pasadena, both located within a 5 minute walk from the convention center.
Sheraton Pasadena Hotel
Sheraton Pasadena Hotel
303 Cordova Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
Reservations
- Main Telephone: (626) 469-8100
- Group Rate: $225 (Single/Double) per night (plus 15.195% tax)
- Reservation Cut-off Date: April 8, 2023
- Reservation Telephone: (888) 236-2427
- Group Code: APPA 2023 or APWAPWD
- Online Reservation Link: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1660174469193&key=GRP&app=resvlin
Logistics
- Check in: 3 pm Check out: Noon
- Parking: Self-parking only. Day parking: $15/day. Overnight parking: $30/night.
- Internet access: Complimentary standard wireless internet
Hyatt Place Pasadena
Hyatt Place Pasadena
399 E. Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
Reservations
- Main Telephone: (626) 788-9108
- Group Rate: $204 (Single/Double) per night (plus 15.195% tax)
- Reservation Cut-off Date: April 8, 2023
- Reservation Telephone: (800) 889-5420
- Group Code: APPA
- Online Reservation Link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/LACZP/G-AAPA
Logistics
- Check in: 3 pm Check out: Noon
- Parking: Overnight parking: $24/night.
- Internet access: Complimentary standard wireless internet
Reservations & Cancellations
The cut-off date to receive the group rate in the APPA room blocks is April 8, 2023. The room blocks may sell out before April 8, so early reservations are encouraged. Make your reservations directly with the hotel using the links or telephone numbers above, or directly through our web site. Canceled reservations that are not resold may become a financial liability for APPA, so please make your reservations thoughtfully.
Scam Alert
Please do NOT make hotel reservations through any third party that may contact you by phone or email. Use only the online reservation links, phone numbers, and discount codes available directly from APPA —in conference brochures and the website at www.PublicPower.org.
Contact Us
Registration: [email protected]
Program/Content: [email protected]
Hotel: [email protected]
Billing: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the policy on refunds, cancellations and attendee substitutions?
Registrants who cancel in writing on or before April 24, 2023, are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $50 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after April 24 will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed for the 2023 Engineering & Operations Conference only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel on or before April 24 are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund.
Can I earn educational credits for attending this conference?
Yes, you can earn the following kinds of educational credits for participating in sessions during the conference:
- Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
- Professional Development Hours (PDHs) as established by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
- Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)
To receive a certificate for your participation, participants must complete the online conference evaluation after the event.
Are meals included?
The following food functions/meals are included in the registration fee:
- Sunday - Welcome Reception
- Monday - Continental Breakfast
- Tuesday - Continental Breakfast; Reception
- Wednesday – Continental Breakfast
What is the conference dress code?
The attire for the conference is business casual. Meeting room temperatures vary, so prepare to dress for cool conditions.
How can I present at the conference?
We welcome your topic and speaker ideas for future conferences and events. To submit your idea for consideration, complete this form. Conference topics are generally determined 6-8 months before the event is held. Ideas will be kept on file for a full year, so if the agenda for the conference has already been determined, your ideas will be considered for the next year’s event, or in case any space opens up in the current year’s program. You will be contacted only if your idea is selected for an upcoming conference.
How can I serve as an officer?
Utility employees play a vital role in planning the conference to bring you important topics. Incoming Vice Chairs for committees will be selected in February. Email [email protected] if you are interested in taking a leadership position in the conference by serving as an officer for one of the following tracks:
- Environmental Services
- Grid Modernization and Innovation
- Safety
- Transmission & Distribution
What is the APPA Code of Conduct for meeting attendees?
Attendees of American Public Power Association meetings agree to abide by the APPA Code of Conduct. If attendees engage in unacceptable behavior as outlined in the Code of Conduct, the Association may take any action it deems appropriate, including but not limited to, expulsion from the current and future meetings, with no warning or refund.
Contact Us
Registration: [email protected]
Program/Content: [email protected]
Hotel: [email protected]
Billing: [email protected]