National Conference

Program

The National Conference program offers three days of keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities from Monday, June 18 to Wednesday, June 20. Preconference seminars, held on Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17, are a great value-add. 

• Preconference seminars
• General sessions
• Breakout sessions
  • Monday A.M Sessions
  • Monday P.M. Sessions
  • Tuesday A.M. Sessions
  • Tuesday P.M. Sessions
  • Wednesday A.M. Sessions

Breakout Sessions

Benefit from engaging breakout sessions led by industry experts and public power colleagues—take home actionable ideas and tactics.

Breakout sessions are offered Monday through Wednesday, June 18 - 20. Several breakout sessions run concurrently in each time slot and you can go to any sessions you like. Browse sessions below or download the program PDF [coming soon!] for a listing by date/time that you can share with colleagues and use to plan your itinerary.

Sessions cover the following tracks or topic areas:

• Rate Management
• New Technologies
• Workforce & Leadership
• Grid Security
• Legislative & Regulatory Threats
• Operational Excellence
• Promoting Public Power

Preconference Seminars

Saturday, June 16

• Electric Utility Industry Overview and Challenges (full day)
• How the Federal Power Act Impacts Your Utility (morning)
• Follow the Money: Making Sound Financial Decisions (morning)
• Cybersecurity: What Leaders Need to Know (afternoon)
• Advanced Metering: Don't Be Left Behind (afternoon)
• Strategic Rate Design: Trends and Case Studies (afternoon)

Sunday, June 17

• Be Prepared: Disaster Planning and Response Guide (morning)
• Distributed Energy Resources: Managing the Risk (morning)
• Board Responsibilities: Excellence in Governance (morning)
• Solar Strategies: Cost Recovery and Pleasing Customers (afternoon)
• Developing Policies that Demonstrate Effective Board Leadership (afternoon)
• Disaster Recovery: Navigating FEMA Grants (afternoon)

 

Agenda at a Glance

Saturday, June 16

8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Preconference Seminars

9 a.m. - Noon
Association Board of Directors Meeting

3 - 5 p.m.
Advisory Committee Meeting

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Sunday, June 17

8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Preconference Seminars

11 a.m. - Noon
PMA Task Force Meeting

1 - 2 p.m.
Joint Action Agencies Meeting

2 - 4 p.m.
Legislative & Resolutions Committee Meeting

4 - 5 p.m.
FERC/NERC Issues Briefing

5 - 6 p.m.
Women in Public Power Reception 

5:30 - 6 p.m.
Maximize Your Membership: Resources Roundtable 

6 - 7:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception 

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Monday, June 18

7 - 8:15 a.m.
PowerPAC Breakfast

8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Opening General Session

State of Public Power

• Sue Kelly, President & CEO, American Public Power Association

Inside Washington: The Real Scoop

• Jonathan Swan, National Political Reporter, Axios

9:30 - 11 a.m.
Guest Breakfast & Mardi Gras Mask Making

11 - 11:30 a.m.
Industry Spotlight: Shapiro Lifschitz & Schram - What Every Public Power Utility Member Needs to Know About Construction Contracts 

11 a.m. - Noon
Breakout Sessions

11:30 - Noon
Industry Spotlight: Novinium - How to Extend URD Cable Performance Year Over Year

Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch (on your own)

1:30 - 2 p.m.
Industry Spotlight: Siemens - Making 1+1=3 with a Hybrid Solution

2 - 2:30 p.m.
Industry Spotlight: ChargePoint - Utility Insights for Smart EV Charging

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions

1:30 - 4 p.m.
Public Power Expo: Preview Hours

2:45 - 4 p.m.
General Session

How Cybersecurity is Redefining Our World

• Michael Daniel, Cybersecurity Advisor to President Barack Obama & President, Cyber Threat Alliance

4 - 6 p.m.
Public Power Expo: Grand Reception

6 p.m.
Young Professionals Happy Hour

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Tuesday, June 19 

8 - 10 a.m.
Awards & Keynote Speaker

Unleashing Six Megatrends of the Next Decade

• Chunka Mui, Futurist, Innovation Advisor, and Author, Unleashing the Killer App and Billion Dollar Lessons

10 a.m. - Noon.
Public Power Expo

11 a.m. - Noon
Breakout Sessions

11:30 - Noon
Industry Spotlight: Spiegel & McDiarmid - Putting the Profit in "For Profit": FERC Regulation of Investor-Owned Utilities' Rate of Return

Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Public Power Expo: Closing Luncheon

1:30 - 2 p.m.
Industry Spotlight: Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer, Pembroke - What Federal/State Jurisdictional Issues Mean for Your System

2 - 2:30 p.m.
Industry Spotlight: 8minutenergy - The Future is Here for Solar + Storage

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions

2:45 - 4:15 p.m.
General Session

Challenges, Opportunities, and the Future of Public Power

• Doug Hunter, CEO, Utah Associated Municipal Power
• Arlen Orchard, CEO & General Manager, SMUD
• Tom Roiniotis, General Manager, Longmont Power & Communications
• David Wade, CEO, EPB

4:30 p.m.
Association Business Meeting

8 - 10 p.m.
Concert & Reception: John Lisi & Delta Funk! at the House of Blues

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Wednesday, June 20

8 - 10:30 a.m.
Chair's Breakfast & Closing General Session

Tackling the Odds for a Life Touchdown

• Joe Theismann, World Champion Quarterback, Broadcaster, and Entrepreneur

10:30 a.m.
Conference Adjourns

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Registration

Conference Registration Fees

Register by May 18, 2018, to receive the following registration rates:

• Association Members:    $795
• Nonmembers:               $1,590

After May 18 registration fees will increase by $50.

Not a member? Join today and save $795 on your conference registration. Call Member Services at 202-467-2926 to learn more.

Preconference Seminar Fees

Each preconference seminar requires a separate registration fee. Register by May 18, to receive the following registration rates:

Half day preconference seminars:

• Association Members:    $325 (each)
• Nonmembers:                   $650 (each)

Full day preconference seminar:

• Association members:    $425
• Nonmembers:                   $850

After May 18, registration fees will increase by $50.

You can register for preconference seminars at the same time that you register for the National Conference.

Conference Mentor Program
If you’re a first-time attendee, or the only one from your organization, pair up with a seasoned conference-goer who’ll show you the ropes. Your mentor will meet you at the Sunday Welcome Reception and stay in touch with you throughout the conference.

Want to have a conference mentor or serve as one? Select the check-box on the online or PDF registration form or contact us at [email protected]; 202-467-2973 by June 8 to participate. 

Cancellation Policy
Registrants who cancel in writing on or before June 8, 2018, are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $50 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after June 8 will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed for the 2018 National Conference only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel on or before June 8 are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund.

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

Questions?
Email [email protected]

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Hotel

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 the Association—in conference brochures and the website at www.PublicPower.org.

All conference events will take place at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

Hilton New Orleans Riverside 
Two Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

• Group rate: $214 (Single/Double) per night (plus 13% tax and $3.00)
• Check in: 3 p.m. / Check out: Noon
• Main telephone: 1-504-561-0500
• Parking fee: $44/day self parking; $49/day valet parking

Reservations

• Online reservation link: https://aws.passkey.com/event/49500224/owner/107/home
• Attendee group code: PPA
• Reservation telephone: 1-800-445-8667
• Reservation cut-off date: May 25, 2018

Stay in downtown New Orleans at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel and enjoy our prime location on the banks of the Mississippi River, adjacent to New Orleans Convention Center and steps from the French Quarter. Stay in a spacious guest room with views of the vibrant city or relaxing riverfront views, or upgrade to an executive room or suite and enjoy access to our Executive Lounge with panoramic views of all of New Orleans. 

Reservations & Cancellations

The cut-off date to receive the group rate at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside is May 25, 2018. The room block may sell out before May 25, so early reservations are encouraged. Make your reservations directly with the hotel using the link or telephone number above.

Cancelled reservations that are not resold may become a financial liability for the Association, so please make your reservations thoughtfully.

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

Transportation

The hotel is located approximately 13 miles from the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Please visit the hotel web site for information regarding directions and parking.

New Orleans

Experience New Orleans, one of America's most culturally and historically-rich destinations. Steeped in a history of influences from Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and beyond, it’s a truly unique melting pot of culture, food, and music.You'll enjoy bowls filled to the rim with gumbo, late nights in dark jazz clubs, strolls through historic neighborhoods, a relaxing morning full of café au lait and beignets, and maybe even a traditional festival.

Discover more at www.neworleans.com.

Dress Code

The attire for the conference is business casual. Meeting room temperatures vary, so prepare to dress for cool conditions.

Questions?

Contact us at [email protected].

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where and when is the next National Conference?

June 7-12, 2019
Austin Convention Center
Austin, TX

June 5-10, 2020
Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center
Long Beach, California

June 18-23, 2021
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

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

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)
• 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)

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.

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.

More questions?

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

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