Light Up Navajo VII Recognition

Installation of the 2026-2027 Board Chair

Closing Keynote: Going for the Gold — Leadership Lessons from the Captain of the "Miracle on Ice"
End the National Conference on a high note with an unforgettable keynote from Mike Eruzione, captain of the legendary 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team and the central figure of the hit film Miracle. As the leader who helped orchestrate one of the greatest upsets in sports history, Eruzione brings a powerful message about what it really takes to lead, inspire, and achieve seemingly impossible goals.

Drawing from his Olympic journey, Eruzione shares stories of resilience, teamwork, and the unwavering belief that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things when they commit to a common goal. Explore how the principles that fueled the Miracle on Ice — trust, accountability, preparation, adaptability, and heart — apply just as powerfully to today’s organizational, leadership, and community challenges.

Get a powerful reminder in why leadership matters, how teams triumph, and what it means to “go for the gold” in your organization and your community. A perfect finale for a week dedicated to learning, connection, and the power of public power leaders working together.

Learn more about Eruzione in Netflix's new documentary, Miracle: The Boys of 80.

NOTE: This event has sold out.

Experience an unforgettable evening at one of Boston’s most iconic places: Fenway Park. Mix and mingle with colleagues, soak in the ballpark atmosphere, and enjoy a relaxed night of networking in an exclusive area of one of baseball’s most historic settings. Watch the Boston Red Sox take on the Washington Nationals while you enjoy sweeping ballpark views, classic bites, and a front row experience of the game from the Sam Adams Deck — one of Fenway’s most legendary vantage points. Whether you’re a die hard fan or just love a great summer evening, this reception offers the perfect blend of Boston charm, camaraderie, and America’s favorite pastime. 

Get reports from the board Treasurer on APPA’s performance and financials and cast your vote on policy resolutions to guide APPA’s advocacy efforts for the coming year and for which members will represent your region on the APPA Board of Directors. Each utility member must appoint a voting delegate for this meeting. 

Public power utilities face growing challenges—from load growth and resource adequacy to workforce pressures, customer expectations, and policy uncertainty. In this candid CEO to CEO discussion, public power leaders share the top issues shaping the industry and the strategies they’re using to strengthen reliability, affordability, and long term success.

Modernizing operational technology is no longer optional — it’s essential for reliability, efficiency, and meeting customer expectations. Hear how a panel of utility leaders from small, mid-sized, and large public power utilities approached the challenges and opportunities of technology modernization. From integrating new systems to managing cybersecurity risks, optimizing grid operations, and balancing innovation with budget constraints, get perspective on what planning and implementation strategies fit with your utility’s size and resources.

Earning designation as a Reliable Public Power Provider or Smart Energy Provider can be more than just an honor — they can be powerful tools to improve and hone your operations. Learn how ElectriCities of North Carolina embedded these programs into its strategic priorities, using member participation and aggregate scoring to identify strengths, close gaps, and guide new services. Learn how using these assessments can strengthen continuous improvement and strategic alignment across your utility, whether for long‑term planning, program development, or to provide a roadmap for operational excellence.

Distributed front-of-the-meter battery energy storage systems and flexible loads are transforming how public power utilities manage costs and reliability. Review strategies for deploying these resources to strengthen system performance, reduce peak demand, lower wholesale exposure, and defer costly capital upgrades. Hear which real-world approaches your public power colleagues are using for planning, coordination, and implementation of storage assets into their systems to access dispatchable capacity that supports resource adequacy, integrates renewables, and fills operational gaps.

Public power utilities deliver reliable, safe, community-owned energy — but many struggle to clearly communicate what makes them unique, valuable  community assets. Explore what your public power colleagues in the Northeast have achieved through outreach campaigns, messaging, and employee education initiatives. Learn strategies for aligning external communications with internal education, ensuring frontline employees — such as customer service representatives and lineworkers — are confident, knowledgeable ambassadors that can help build customer trust, boost engagement, and deepen understanding of public power’s value.