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 Services
- Grid Modernization and Innovation
- Safety
- Transmission & Distribution
Submit Your Proposals
We invite you to share your ideas on what topics and speakers you'd like to see on the conference program by completing this survey. Submissions are due by Wednesday, August 31, to be3 considered for the 2023 Engineering & Operations Conference.
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 2023 Engineering & Operations Conference program will be available in Fall 2022.
The Engineering & Operations Conference offers three days of keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities—Sunday, March 27 – Wednesday, March 30.
- 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
Sunday, April 30 |
| 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Pre-conference SeminarsRequire an additional fee |
| 5 – 6:30 p.m. |
Welcome Reception with Sponsors (Public Power NextTech Expo) |
Monday, May 1
|
|
| 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. |
Breakfast with Sponsors (Public Power NextTech Expo) |
| 8:45 – 10 a.m. |
Opening General Sessio |
| 10 – 10:30 a.m. |
Break with Sponsors (Public Power NextTech Expo) |
| 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. |
Breakout Session |
| 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
Lunch (on your own) |
| 1:30 – 2:45 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions |
| 2:45 – 3:15 p.m. |
Break with Sponsors (Public Power NextTech Expo) |
| 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions |
| 4:45 – 5:45 p.m. |
Data Debate: Benchmarking Operations
|
Tuesday, May 2 |
|
| 7:45 – 8:45 a.m. |
Networking Breakfast |
| 9 – 10 a.m. |
General Session |
| 10 – 10:30 a.m. |
Break with Sponsors (Public Power NextTech Expo) |
| 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. |
Breakout Session |
| 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
Lunch (on your own) |
| 1:30 – 2:45 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions |
| 2:45 – 3:15 p.m. |
Break with Sponsors (Public Power NextTech Expo) |
| 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions |
| 5 – 6:30 p.m. |
Reception |
Wednesday, May 3 |
|
| 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. |
Networking Breakfast |
| 8:30 – 9:45 a.m. |
Roundtable Discussions |
| 9:45 – 10:15 a.m. |
Break |
| 10:15 – 11:30 a.m. |
Closing General Session |
| 11:30 a.m. |
Conference Adjourns |
Contact Us
Registration: [email protected]
Program/Content: [email protected]
Hotel: [email protected]
Billing: [email protected]
Registration Fees
Registration will open in Fall 2022.
Registration fees have not been finalized yet for the 2023 Engineering & Operations Conference, but 2022 prices are provided below for ballpark budgeting purposes.
2022 Conference Registration Fees
| Before Early Registration Deadline | After Early Registration Deadline | |
| Member | Conference: $875 Pre-conference seminar (each): $350 |
Conference: $925 Pre-conference seminar (each): $350 |
| Nonmember | Conference: $1,750 Pre-conference seminar (each): $700 |
Conference: $1,800 Pre-conference seminar (each): $750 |
The early registration deadline for the 2023 Engineering & Operations Conference will be March 31, 2023.
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
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) |
| 1-4 | n/a |
| 5-9 | $50 |
| 10-14 | $100 |
| 15+ | $150 |
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.
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.
Attendees should stay in the APPA room block at the Sheraton Pasadena Hotel or the Hyatt Place Pasadena. Additional hotel information will be available in Fall 2022.
The hotel room blocks will open in Fall 2022.
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]
COVID-19 Safety Protocols
The safety of those attending the American Public Power Association (APPA) 2023 Engineering & Operations Conference is our top priority. Below are some of the steps we are taking to ensure the safety of all meeting participants, and our expectations for all conference participants. All participants must agree to abide by these standards.
Note: These policies may be updated if CDC guidance changes. Any changes to these safety protocols will be communicated to all participants before the conference.
Before You Travel
- We recommend all participants get a COVID test no more than 3 days before traveling to the conference. You will not be asked to show any proof of negative test results.
- Participants should abide by CDC guidelines for quarantine or isolation if you are exposed to or test positive for COVID-19 in the days leading up to the the conference.
- If you need to cancel your registration due to COVID or possible COVID exposure, send your cancellation request to [email protected].
On-site Safety Protocols
- Masks are welcome, but will not be required. Masks will be available at the APPA registration desk for any participants who would like one.
- Participants should complete a self-assessment each day before entering the APPA meeting space (see below).
- Engage in appropriate physical distancing and hygiene practices.
- Be respectful of all other attendees and their comfort levels regarding distancing, masking, etc.
- Do not attend the event if you are ill, actively experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms; participants who have recently been exposed to or tested positive for COVID should follow CDC guidelines to determine if it is safe for them to participate.
Daily Self-Assessment
Each day of the conference, participants should complete a self-assessment before entering the meeting space to ensure:
- You are not currently experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms that can't be explained by something else;
- You have not recently come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms; and
- You are continuing to follow CDC and local guidance.
Questions?
Contact [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when is the next Engineering & Operations Conference?
We’re planning the 2023 conference for Pasadena, California.
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]
