Program

Join us for the third annual CEO & Utility Managers Scramble Golf Tournament. More than a chance to enjoy the weather and the company of public power leaders, the tournament will also feature raffle prizes and a putting contest at a scenic course near the hotel (course details to be provided in January).

How will it work?
Registration and breakfast will begin at 8 am. The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 9 am. Additional information will be available in early 2026.  

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks while you reconnect with old friends, meet new people, and network with public power leaders from across the nation. Guests are welcome.

Understanding the impact of world events that are unfolding is critical to assessing future risks and opportunities. Each industry is affected in different ways by world events—from energy, infrastructure and finance to manufacturing, supply chains and technology. And turmoil in hot spots such as China, Iran, Russia and Ukraine demands that leaders gain better insights into emerging threats, opportunities and risks.

Dive into the factors creating challenges for public power leaders in ensuring resource adequacy and system reliability. Hear different perspectives from across the sector with a panel of executives on how they are navigating the uncertainty surrounding large loads, conflicting federal and state policies, and long-term investments. Discuss practical options for securing new resources — from locally owned projects and microgrids to SMRs and emerging technologies. Weigh your options and share strategies to adapt, innovate, and maintain reliability in today’s evolving energy landscape.

Continue the conversation and connect with your fellow public power leaders over lunch hosted by APPA.

In a crisis, how a utility communicates can be as critical as how it responds operationally. This session examines the CEO’s role in setting expectations for effective crisis communication—before, during, and after major events—and what can happen when communication falls short. Hear lessons learned from recent emergencies, including extreme weather and wildfires, and discuss best practices for delivering timely, clear, and credible messages to customers, employees, media, and elected officials. 

A wave of cutting-edge technologies promise to transform generation, storage, and grid management. Explore where technologies from long-duration energy storage to small modular reactors, geothermal and AI are in development and what utilities can expect from them in the next decade. Join a lively discussion with tech experts and industry peers on how and when public power should evaluate emerging technologies and how they might help you meet reliability, sustainability, and affordability goals.

Public power leaders must adapt to stay competitive and relevant in a quickly evolving industry. Explore what it means to lead in this era of transformation, and how to shift your mindset and utility culture to a customer-centric approach that anticipates needs and delivers exceptional experiences.