National Conference

The 2021 National Conference will be held in two parts: an in-person meeting June 20-23 in Orlando, Florida, and a virtual meeting July 13-14. Both components will feature exclusive breakout sessions, sponsor exhibitions, and networking opportunities to help you connect with public power leaders and partners across the country.

Choose to register for only the virtual event, or register for Full Access to get access to everything.

Please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

---

Program

Agenda at a Glance: In Person Event

Click here for detailed information about the In Person program.

Sunday, June 20 

8:30 a.m. – Noon
Preconference Seminars

• Overview of the Electric Utility Industry
• Get Ready for the Energy Storage Paradigm Shift

Noon – 1 p.m.
Joint Action Agencies Meeting

1:30 – 5 p.m.
Preconference Seminars

• Best Practices in Public Power Governance
• Utility Financial Check-Up: Recovering from an Economic Downturn

2 – 4 p.m.
Advisory Committee Meeting

6 – 7:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception 

---

Monday, June 21

7:15 – 8:15 a.m.
Morning Conversations
Start your morning by joining friends and colleagues in small discussion groups. 

8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Industry Innovations Expo open

8:45 – 10:30 a.m.
Opening General Session

• President & CEO Address, Joy Ditto, APPA
• Leadership and Geopolitics in the Time of Coronavirus, Admiral James Stavridis, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

11 a.m. – Noon 
Breakout Sessions 

• What's Happening in Washington
• How Small Utilities Navigate Change
• COVID-19: How Public Power Changed and How It's Changing
• Connecting with the Community: Identifying and Targeting Specific Customer Needs
• Embracing New Technologies in Public Power
• How Practical is a Drone for Your Utility?
• Industry Spotlight: Public Power’s Next Generation of Challenges: Technology, Resiliency & Decarbonization

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch break

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions

• Current Issues in Federal Transmission Policy
• Sellout Evaluations and Utility Sales
• Views from the Polar Vortex: What Happened and Lessons Learned
• Detection & Response: Cornerstones to Cybersecurity Resilience
• What Can 5G Do for Public Power?
• Industry Spotlight: Creating Financial Stability with Properly Designed Rates

3 – 4:15 p.m.
General Session:
Resilience and Response: A CEO Perspective (panel)

• Elaina Ball, Fayetteville Public Works Commission
• Tom DeBell, Riviera Utilities
• Jacqueline Sargent, Austin Energy
• John Twitty, Missouri Public Utility Alliance

4:30 – 6 p.m.
Industry Innovations Expo Reception
Visit Expo Row, featuring tabletop exhibits from public power’s supporters, advocates and champions conveniently located in the middle of all the conference action. Drop by for an informal chat with during Expo hours or throughout the conference, or make an appointment to meet with exhibitors one-on-one at a time that works for you.

---

Tuesday, June 22

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Morning Conversations

8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Industry Innovations Expo open

9 – 10:30 a.m.
Awards & General Session
Creating Advantage in the Face of Energy Transition Uncertainty, Geoff Tuff, Deloitte

11 a.m. – Noon 
Breakout Sessions

• To Be or Not to Be: Natural Gas Distribution Policy and Regulation
• Using the Baldrige Framework for Organizational Excellence: A Public Power Success Story
• Messaging Public Power Year-Round
• Meeting Tomorrow's Electricity Needs
• The Future is Now for Public Power: Technology Has the Answers
• Industry Spotlight: Why Navigating Uncertainty is Better Together

Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch break

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions

• Keeping Up with Climate Policy in the Biden Administration
• Practices from the Pandemic
• Light Up Navajo: A Blueprint for Hope
• Microgrids: What's Trending Now and the Long-Term Outlook
• Creating Value from Your Data Assets
• Industry Spotlight: Securing the Grid from OT Physical Assets and Propelling DERMS

3 – 4 p.m.
Association Business Meeting
Voting delegates who are only attending the virtual meeting (July 13-14) will have an opportunity to participate in the Business Meeting virtually.

4:30 – 6 p.m. 
Industry Innovations Expo Reception

---

Wednesday, June 23

9 – 10:30 a.m.
Closing General Session
Chair's Address and Changing of the Guard
Installation of the 2021-2022 Board Chair

Play to Win: Boosting Personal Resilience and Performance, Bonnie St. John, Paralympic Ski Medalist and Fortune 500 Business Consultant

10:30 a.m. 
Adjourn 

---

Agenda at a Glance: Virtual Event

Click here for detailed information about the Virtual program.

Tuesday, July 13

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
Opening General Session

• President & CEO Address, Joy Ditto, APPA
• Creating Advantage in the Face of Energy Transition Uncertainty, Geoff Tuff, Deloitte

12:15 – 1:15 p.m. ET
Breakout Sessions

• What's Happening in Washington
• Strategic Planning: From the Board to the Community
• The Polar Vortex: What Happened with Natural Gas
• Planning for Electric Vehicles
• The Future of Work Post-COVID
• Squeezing Additional Benefits out of Your AMI Network

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Roundtable Discussions
Join public power leaders from around the country to discuss the key issues and challenges you're facing. In these moderated roundtables, you'll have an opportunity to to turn on your camera and participate in small group discussions.  

• Small Utility Roundtable
• Large Utility Roundtable
• Joint Action Agency Roundtable
• Governing Board & Elected Officials Roundtable

2:45 – 3:45 p.m. ET
Breakout Sessions

• What's Driving Public Power's Bond Ratings
• Prepare for the Worse: Planning for the Next Pandemic
• Effective Integrated Resource Planning Practices
• Leveraging Data to Drive Electric Vehicle Program Strategy

4 – 5:30 p.m. ET
General Session:
2020-21 Board Chair's Remarks, Jolene Thompson, American Municipal Power, Inc.

Resilience and Response: A CEO Perspective (panel)

• Joy Ditto, American Public Power Association
• Jim Matheson, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
• Tom Kuhn, Edison Electric Institute

---

Wednesday, July 14

10 – 11 a.m. ET
Online Networking

• Women in Public Power Hour
• Virtual Expo

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
General Sessions

1. Leading Utility Transformation (panel)

• Julia Hamm, Smart Electric Power Alliance
• James Lavelle, Holyoke Gas & Electric
• Debra Smith, Seattle City Light

2. What's New in Nuclear (panel)

• Greg Cullen, Energy Northwest
• Doug Hunter, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems
• Maria Korsnick, Nuclear Energy Institute

12:15 – 1:15 p.m. ET
Breakout Sessions

• Keeping Up with Climate Policy in the Biden Administration
• The Pros and Cons of ESG Assessments for Public Power
• COVID-19: How Public Power Changed and How it's Changing
• Reaching Tomorrow's Customers Through Energy Education
• Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Navigating Uncertainty Together

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Roundtable Discussions

• Western Utility Roundtable
• Midwest Utility Roundtable
• Southeastern Utility Roundtable
• Northwestern Utility Roundtable

2:45 – 3:45 p.m. ET
Breakout Sessions

• Municipal Financing Strategies
• Practices from the Pandemic
• Carbon Capture and Storage: What's Feasible
• A Personal Approach: Targeting Customer Communications
• FERC Order No. 2222: What it Means for Public Power
• Getting Ahead of Distribution Problems with Grid Reliability Analytics

4 – 5 p.m. ET
Closing General Session

• 2021-22 Board Chair's Remarks, Colin Hansen, Kansas Municipal Utilities
• Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO)
• Secretary Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Department of Energy

5 p.m. ET
Adjourn

Registration Options

Registration for the in-person event (Full Access) is no longer available, but you can still register for the virtual meeting. 

Register for the National Conference - Virtual Event Only

Registering five or more people? Use this Group Registration Form to save. The group discount will not be applied to registrations received online. 

National Conference Fees

Full Access (includes June 20-23 event in Orlando, Florida, and July 13-14 virtual event) 

	Register by May 21	After May 21
APPA Members	$925	$975
Nonmembers	$1,850	$1,950

Group discounts are available! See details below. 

Preconference Seminars (Seminars will only be held on June 20 at the in-person event) 

	Register by May 21	After May 21
APPA Members	$350	$400
Nonmembers	$700	$750

Virtual Only (July 13-14 Virtual Event) 

	Register by May 21	After May 21
APPA Members	$575	$625
Nonmembers	$1,150	$1,200

Not yet an American Public Power Association member?  Join today and start saving immediately on your conference registration. Call Member Services at 202-467-2936 to learn more. 

Group Registration Discounts

Save money on each conference registration when your organization registers five or more people for the National Conference. The larger your group, the more you save!

Use this Group Registration Form to register your group. You must use this form to receive the group discount. The group discount will not be applied to online registrations. Email your completed form to [email protected]; or contact Registration with any questions.

Number of registrants	Discount (per person)
1-4	n/a
5-9	$50
10-14	$100
15+	$150

Group registration discounts are available for both full conference and virtual-only registrations. You can also combine all your full and virtual-only registrations in one order to qualify for your group discount! (E.g., 3 full registrations + 2 virtual-only = 5 total registrations). 

Guest Registrations

Guests: $100 (each)

Guests are invited to join the Welcome Reception and Industry Innovations Expo. Badges must be shown for entry. Guests attending the event in Orlando, Florida must agree to and sign the Duty of Care Agreement.

All guest registrations must be accompanied by a National Conference attendee registration. Children age 12 and under do not need to register. 

Jump-Start Networking 

Give your conference networking an immediate jolt. We’ll connect you with a small group of attendees (3-5 people) before the conference. You’ll meet your group when you arrive at the Welcome Reception, or your time and place of choice. It’s a great, easy way to jump-start your networking and meet new people, reconnect with friends and colleagues, and expand your network of public power peers and partners.

The jump-start networking program is open to all conference participants—utility employees and industry partners, regardless if this your first time attending or your fiftieth. To sign up, just check the box when you register, or contact us at [email protected] to participate. 

Cancellation Policy

Full National Conference registrants (including the June 20-23 event in Orlando, Florida), who cancel in writing on or before June 14, 2021, are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $50 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after June 14 will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed for the 2021 National Conference only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel on or before June 14 are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund. No partial refunds will be available for Full conference registrants who cancel for the virtual event.

Virtual-only National Conference registrants (including only the July 13-14 virtual event) who cancel in writing on or before July 9, 2021, are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $50 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after July 9 will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed for the 2021 National Conference Virtual Event only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel on or before July 9 are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund.

All cancellations must be made in writing and emailed to: [email protected].

Questions?

Email [email protected]

Conference Location & Hotels

The in-person portion of the 2021 National Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Orlando in Orlando, Florida on June 20-23. All in-person conference events will be held at that hotel. 

The National Conference will also feature a fully virtual event on July 13-14. Participants can choose to attend the full conference, including both the in-person and virtual components; or can choose to register for only the virtual event.

* APPA's room block at the Hyatt Regency Orlando is currently sold out. Please make your reservations at the Rosen Centre Hotel (information below), located less than 1/2 mile away. *

Hyatt Regency Orlando - SOLD OUT
9801 International Drive
Orlando, FL  32819 

Reservations

• Main Telephone: (407) 284-1234
• Group Rate: $169 (Single/Double) per night (plus 13.625% tax and $20 hotel fee)
• Reservation Cut-off Date: May 25, 2021
• Reservation Telephone: (402) 593-5048
• Group Code: American Public Power -  G-APPA
• Online Reservation Link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/MCORO/G-APPA

Logistics 

• Check in: 3 p.m. Check out: 11 a.m.
• Valet parking: $40 Valet overnight/with in-and-out privileges
• Self-parking: $27 overnight/with in-and-out privileges
• Internet access: Complimentary wireless internet in sleeping rooms

 

Rosen Center Hotel
9840 International Drive
Orlando, FL  32819 

Reservations

• Main Telephone: (407) 996-9840
• Group Rate: $159 (Single/Double) per night (plus 13.625% tax)
• Reservation Cut-off Date: May 28, 2021
• Reservation Telephone: (407) 996-9840
• Group Code: American Public Power -  GRPAPPA
• Online Reservation Link

Logistics 

• Check in: 3 p.m. Check out: 11 a.m.
• Valet parking: $23 plus tax
• Self-parking: $15 plus tax
• Internet access: Complimentary wireless internet in sleeping rooms

Reservations & Cancellations

Make your reservations only through the web links provided on this site, or by calling the hotels directly. No third parties are authorized to handle hotel reservations on our behalf.

The cut-off date to receive the group rate at the Hyatt Regency Orlando is May 25, 2021. The room blocks may sell out before May 25, so early reservations are encouraged. Make your reservations directly with the hotel using the links or telephone numbers above.

Cancelled reservations that are not resold may become a financial liability for the Association, 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.

Orlando

Enjoy open-air adventures at Orlando’s theme parks, unforgettable ecotourism experiences, and outdoor fun the whole family can enjoy together — including al fresco dining and shopping, expansive resorts with incredible pools and recreational activities, and much more! You can also visit with confidence, knowing that Orlando’s theme parks, attractions, hotels and other businesses are working closely with medical experts to ensure a healthy travel experience. 

Visit Orlando to find special offers, see what's open and explore countless things to do while you're in town, and get trusted, complimentary trip-planning advice before and after your arrival. It all adds up to the getaway you deserve in Orlando!

National Conference attendees: 
Check out https://www.orlandomeeting.com/delegate/appa2021/ for the latest information on what's new, reopening details for popular theme parks and attractions, and special deals for National Conference attendees. 

Dress Code

The attire for the conference is business casual. Meeting room temperatures vary, so prepare to dress for cool conditions. Whenever possible, networking events will be held outdoors. 

Questions and Assistance

For questions or assistance making your hotel arrangements, please contact Meeting Services at 202-467-2941 or [email protected].

COVID-19 Safety Protocols

The safety of those attending the American Public Power Association (APPA) 2021 National Conference is our top priority. We are partnering with the hotel, have talked to local health officials, and are applying lessons-learned from other associations to ensure we follow all the best practices for safely hosting in-person meetings in the current environment. We are relying on everyone to do their part to keep themselves and everyone else safe during the conference. 

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 before they will be permitted to attend the conference. 

What attendees must do

When you register

All participants must agree to the Duty of Care Agreement and Waiver before registering for the conference. Your registration implies your consent to adhere to these standards. 

After your registration is received, you will receive a link to sign the Duty of Care Agreement and Waiver electronically. All attendees must complete the electronic Duty of Care Agreement and Waiver before they will be permitted to attend the conference.

Pre-Event Health Assessment 

Registrants will be asked to complete a self-assessment prior to traveling to the 2021 National Conference in Orlando. Participants do not need to submit a separate form; but we ask all attendees to honestly answer these questions to help us protect all conference attendees, staff, volunteers, and the Orlando community. 

1. Have you had any of the following NEW or UNUSUAL-FOR-YOU symptoms within the past 72 hours? 
   • Fever of 100.4 degrees or above, or possible fever-like symptoms such as alternating chills and sweating.
   • Frequent cough (not a chronic cough or your normal seasonal allergies)
   • Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or severe wheezing 
   • Muscle or body aches that are not exercise related
   • Sore throat
   • New loss of smell or taste 
   • Headache
2. Have you, or anyone in your household or group, tested positive or are awaiting test results for COVID-19?
3. Do you, or anyone in your household or group, have the symptoms of COVID-19 as listed above?
4. Are you currently subject to a stay-at-home order from your doctor or state or local requirements to quarantine, isolate, or stay at home? 

If you answer YES to any of these questions, please STAY AT HOME. Please send your cancellation request to [email protected].

On-site Safety Protocols

The safety of those all conference participants is our top priority. All conference participants should: 

1. Wear a mask at all times in the APPA meeting space and during official APPA-sponsored events, except when eating or drinking. Why?
2. Complete the health check-in each day before entering the APPA meeting space (see below).
3. Engage in appropriate physical distancing and hygiene practices.
4. Be respectful of all other attendees and their comfort levels.
5. Not attend the conference if you are ill, actively experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have recently been in close contact with someone who is experiencing COVID symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19.

On-site Daily Health Check-in

Each day of the conference, all participants will be required to complete a short health questionnaire, as many of us do when we come into the office. No medical tests are required; APPA will not ask for any medical records, test results, or proof of vaccination. 

The daily health check-in will be a simple online form, asking participants to self-certify that: 

• You have not recently come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms;  
• You are not currently experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms that can't be explained by something else; and 
• You are continuing to follow CDC and local guidance. 

Participants must complete the daily health check-in before entering the APPA meeting space. A link will be emailed to attendees in advance, and will be available through the conference mobile app.

Show your completion screen when you arrive at the meeting space each morning to receive a colored wristband. 

• When you complete the questionnaire, you will get a screen telling you to proceed to the meeting. Simply show this screen on your mobile device to verify you have completed your daily check in.
• If you aren't able to show your completion screen, someone will look you up by name to verify you have completed your check-in. 

Your wristband is required for entry into all APPA sessions and activities. It also confers in-and-out privileges; once you receive your wristband for the day, you can enter and exit the APPA meeting space freely just by showing your wristband.

Why is APPA still requiring masks and health check-ins?

What we are doing

Personal Safety

APPA will take the following steps to ensure the health and safety of all meeting participants:

• All participants (including attendees, speakers, sponsors, guests and staff) will be required to sign the Duty of Care Agreement and Waiver before the meeting. 
• All participants will be required to wear a mask at all times in the APPA meeting space and during all APPA-sponsored events.
• All participants must complete a daily health questionnaire before entering the meeting space. Attendees will receive a wristband confirming they have completed the daily check in so they may enter/exit the meeting space without having to complete it again on that day.

Meeting experience

APPA is examining every aspect of the in-person meeting experience to ensure we are taking all appropriate precautions to protect the safety of participants, including:

• Modifying room seating and event layouts to allow for social distancing.
• Redesigning networking opportunities to accommodate social distancing while still facilitating meaningful conversations and exchanges.
• Reconceiving the on-site Expo to reduce crowds, accomplish social distancing, and facilitate conversations with exhibitors.
• Holding networking events outdoors, whenever possible. 
• Making changes at our registration desk to alleviate congestion and reduce contact points.
• During sessions, Q&A will be administered through the conference mobile app (instead of shared microphones). 
• APPA may employ assigned seating, queued entrances, or timed entrance and exits of meeting rooms to manage crowd control and accommodate room capacity limits, according to state or local mandates. 
• Limiting total attendance at the in-person event to 700 people, to accommodate social distancing measures. 

Cleaning and hygiene 

APPA is working with the Hyatt Regency Orlando to ensure the cleanliness of the meeting facilities. 

• APPA will develop and institute a cleaning and sanitizing schedule with the Hyatt Regency Orlando that meets the specific needs of the conference and our attendees. 
• High-touch surfaces within the meeting space will be cleaned multiple times a day.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be positioned throughout the meeting space.
• Additional hygienic supplies, including disinfectant wipes, gloves, and disposable masks, will be made available to attendees. 
• APPA is working with the Hyatt Regency Orlando to ensure all hotel culinary and banquet team members adhere to strict guidelines for the preparation, handling and serving of food & beverages. 
• APPA will keep attendees updated on the Hyatt Regency Orlando’s Commitment to Cleanliness and COVID related practices and protocols.  

Questions?
Contact us at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

What are my options to register for this meeting? 

Participants can choose to register for the full conference (including both the June 20-23 event in Orlando, Florida, and the July 13-14 virtual conference), or just the virtual event (July 13-14).  

All participants in the in-person event (June 20-23 in Orlando) agree to adhere to requirements outlined in the Duty of Care agreement. Any participants who are unable to adhere to these requirements are strongly encouraged to participate virtually.

Group registration discounts are available if your organization registers 5+ participants for the National Conference in either format. The more people you register, the more you save. 

Why is APPA proceeding with this meeting in-person? 

Safety and community are at the root of public power, and because of these commitments we are confident that we can host the conference safely. We are partnering with the hotel, have talked to local health officials, and are deploying lessons-learned from other associations to ensure we follow all the best practices for safely hosting in-person meetings in the current environment.

In-person meetings provide many opportunities for networking and information exchange that can’t be replicated by virtual meetings, and many of our members have signaled they are ready to travel and meet in-person again. 

That said, we understand that not all our members are ready or able to travel again for in-person meetings, which is why we will also host an all-virtual event on July 13-14. The virtual National Conference will feature some of the same keynote speakers, plus exclusive breakout sessions, new networking opportunities, and a virtual expo that will allow attendees to connect with the national public power community. 

You can choose to register for just the virtual event, or you can opt for the “full access” registration, which includes both the in-person and virtual components for the complete conference experience. 

Why did this meeting move from Chicago to Orlando? 

The 2021 National Conference will be held in Orlando, Florida. The location of the meeting was moved from the Hyatt Regency Chicago to the Hyatt Regency Orlando to give us more space to accommodate social distancing at the conference, and to allow us to hold as many events outdoors as possible.

We look forward to returning to Chicago for the National Conference in the future. 

What is APPA doing to protect attendees on site? 

The health and safety of all our meeting participants is our top concern. Read more about our safety protocols, including what we’re doing to promote attendee safety and our expectations and standards for all participants attending the meeting. 

When will I get more information about how to participate in the virtual conference?

Registrants will receive information on how to join the virtual conference a few days before the event. To make sure you get these notices, make sure you whitelist [email protected] so the emails do not end up in a spam filter or junk folder.

Will virtual sessions be recorded? 

Yes, most of the sessions at this virtual event will be recorded*, and recordings will be made available to attendees after the event. 

We will send attendees a notification when recordings are available, typically within two weeks of the event. Recordings will be made available via our secure On-Demand Events and Documents portal, for up to three months. From this portal, you will be able watch the recordings as often as you like within that three month period. Please note that recordings cannot be downloaded or shared outside of the portal. 

* Recordings will not be available for networking events, roundtables, committee/task force meetings, and sessions that primarily consist of group discussion. Recordings may also not be available for select sessions that are of a particularly sensitive nature.

How will the Business Meeting be conducted? 

The APPA Business Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 22, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern at the conference in Orlando, Florida. Participants will designate themselves as their utility’s Voting Delegate for the Association Business Meeting when they register for the National Conference. Each attending member utility, whether attending in-person or virtually, is afforded only one Business Meeting voting delegate.

Attendees at the conference in Orlando who are designated as the Voting Delegate for their utility will be able to participate in the Business Meeting in person.

Members who are registered for the virtual portion of the National Conference (July 13-14) can still serve as the Voting Delegate for their utility. Virtual-only attendees who are designated as their utility’s Voting Delegate will receive login information to participate in the meeting virtually on June 22.

All Voting Delegates – in-person and virtual – will utilize the eBallot platform to vote during the event. APPA will send out information about the platform to all voting delegates, as well as any login credentials they need, so they are prepared to cast their votes during the meeting. 

Will the Day of Giving take place? 

Unfortunately, APPA will not be hosting the Day of Giving community service activities this year at the National Conference, but we know public power utilities around the country go above and beyond to serve their local communities year-round, especially now when so many communities are in need. 

We encourage you to share how your utility and employees are giving back to your local communities by sharing your photos and stories on social media with the hashtags #PublicPower #DayofGiving

What platform will the National Conference Virtual Event be held on?

APPA will be using Zoom for the virtual conference.

Zoom was chosen for its ease of use, great handling of video, and accessibility. Attending a Zoom meeting doesn’t require any additional software installed on the attendee’s computer – it can run completely out of a web browser. We know that many organizations limit the installation of desktop clients, so using a service that can run using a web browser makes the meeting more accessible to our members. Zoom’s ability to support multiple video feeds will also enable online networking beyond the capabilities of many other platforms.

We are aware some organizations have cybersecurity concerns regarding this platform.

Zoom had several high-profile problems at the start of its rise to prominence. The company was responsive to these issues and addressed many of them. While it still may not be appropriate for hosting sensitive discussions, we do not feel Zoom presents any problems for hosting general interest discussions, like the sessions we have planned for this virtual event.

APPA has implemented all the recommended precautions and best practices recommended to minimize the possibility of security issues, such as authenticating all participants are registered for the event, utilizing virtual waiting rooms, requiring meeting passwords, and creating unique URLs for all attendees to participate in the meeting.

What educational credits are available?

Academy events include the following opportunities for educational credits:

• Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
  
  Earn up to 1 CEU for your participation in the National Conference in Orlando (June 20-23, not including preconference seminars); and earn up to 1.1 CEUs for participating in the National Conference Virtual Event (July 13-14). 
   
• Professional Development Hours (PDHs) as established by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
  
  Earn up to 10 PDHs CPEs for your participation in the National Conference in Orlando (June 20-23, not including preconference seminars); and earn up to 11 PDHs for participating in the Virtual Event (July 13-14). 
   
• Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)
  
  Earn up to 12 CPEs for your participation in the National Conference in Orlando (June 20-23, not including preconference seminars); and earn up to 13.2 CPEs for participating in the Virtual Event (July 13-14). If you attend both events, you can earn up to 25.2 CPEs!

Can I earn educational credits for attending the virtual conference?

Yes, you can earn educational credits for attending sessions during the live virtual conference on July 13-14 (see above). 

Please note that you will only be able to earn educational credits for the sessions you attend live during the virtual event. We are not able to offer educational credits for any session recordings you watch later.

Is there international registration?

Online meeting registration is for U.S. and Canadian residents only. International registrants must provide a signed registration form — signed by the authorized cardholder — if paying with a credit card. Fax the completed registration form to 202-495-7484 or emailed it to [email protected]. 

Alternatively, you could send a check from a U.S. bank payable to American Public Power Association. Please mail completed form with full payment to our bank lock box:

American Public Power Association
P.O. Box 418617
Boston, MA  02241-8617

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.

Where and when will future National Conferences be held?

June 10-15, 2022
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Nashville, Tennessee

June 16-21, 2023
Washington State Convention Center
Seattle, Washington

June 7-12, 2024
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
San Diego, California

June 6-11, 2025
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana

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.

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.

More questions?

Contact us at [email protected] or call 202-467-2976.