Strategic Communication for Tough Times

Community/Communications
Breakout

In challenging moments — whether navigating workforce pressures, rising customer expectations, or full-scale utility crises — communication is the backbone of effective leadership. In high‑stress situations, communicators and leaders often operate at the intersection of urgency, fear, and intense public scrutiny. Discuss the principles of strategic communication and crisis leadership to help you better cut through the noise, focus on the signals that truly matter, and guide your organization with clarity, confidence, and empathy.

Speakers

Cara Erwin Headshot
Cara Erwin
Director, Communications and Community Relations | City Utilities of Springfield
Crystal Kemp Headshot
Crystal Kemp
Chief Marketing Officer | Conway Corp

Federal Legislative Update: From Congress to Your Community

Advocacy/Policy
Breakout

Hear what’s happening in Congress this year on issues that impact public power and your utility, including tax and finance, permitting reform, supply chain challenges, and grid security. Discover how you can add your voice and show Congress the power and needs of your community. 

Speakers

Amy Thomas Headshot
Amy Thomas
Vice President, Government Relations | American Public Power Association
John Godfrey Headshot
John Godfrey
Senior Government Relations Director | American Public Power Association
Sam Owen Headshot
Sam Owen
Government Relations Director | American Public Power Association
Clay Bryan Headshoot
Clay Bryan
Government Relations Director | American Public Power Association

Lessons in Resilience and Emergency Response

Grid Security/Relibaility
Breakout

Extreme weather continues to challenge operational plans and technology roadmaps at utilities across the country. Hear from utility leaders from different regions in the U.S. about their experience with extreme events and how their storm and emergency operations plans support resilience for the utility and the communities they serve. Walk through the proven practices contained in storm operations plans and how response efforts are modernizing for rapid recovery and restoration. 

Speakers

Michael Hyland Headshot
Mike Hyland
Executive Director | Northeast Public Power Association
Barry Tupper Headshot
Barry Tupper
General Manager | Holden Municipal Light Department
David Hanson Headshot
David Hanson
Interim General Manager | Los Angeles Department of Water & Power

U.S. Energy Market Outlook

Energy Markets
Breakout

This session will be closed to the press.

Take a deeper dive into the outlook for various parts of the energy sector in the U.S., including natural gas supply-demand balances and pricing forecasts. Examine what these trends mean for power generation and resource planning, and whether projected load growth is real and how it could affect your capacity planning. Gain insights into key drivers shaping energy prices and reliability, including energy market impacts from the conflict in Iran, and what to expect in the coming years.

Speakers

Mike Zenker Headshot
Mike Zenker
Managing Director | NextEra Energy Marketing

Break with Sponsors

Networking

Opening General Session

General Session

Welcome to Boston

A Legacy of Service, A Future of Opportunity

Politics with a Punch: Insider Insights on Today’s Top News 

Get an unfiltered, insider look at what’s really happening behind the headlines with renowned journalist Anna Palmer. With years spent covering the power dynamics, decision-makers, and deal-making that shape national policy, Palmer brings a front-row perspective on how Washington works (and sometimes doesn’t). Get a breakdown of the forces driving today’s most important political and policy conversations — what matters, what’s noise, and what leaders in every sector should be paying attention to — from someone who regularly engages with key players on Capitol Hill and in Washington.
 

Speakers

Scott Corwin
Scott Corwin
President & CEO | American Public Power Association
Anna Palmer
Anna Palmer
Founder & CEO | Punchbowl News
John Haarlow Headshot
John Haarlow
Mike Eurizone
Mike Eruzione
Captain, 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team
Sue Herera
Sue Herera
Award-winning journalist who has covered Wall Street, the global economy, and leaders in the business world for over 40 years
Anna Palmer
Anna Palmer
Founder & CEO
Punchbowl News
Paul Lau
Paul Lau
Chief Executive Officer and General Manager
SMUD, Sacramento, California
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