This one and a half day event provides a full-day educational session, a business meeting, and the opportunity to network with North America's gas and electric utility executive community. The agenda is developed by the WEI President and Board Chair to deliver provocative discussions and identifies strategic drivers that influence energy utilities in North America and is driven by the yearly theme. Each year the Board of Directors convenes twice, once in January, and the second coincides with the WEI Annual Meeting in September. At this meeting, the Board of Directors convenes a business session to evaluate WEI’s accomplishments and determine the direction of the association.
WEI Board Members + Special Invite Attendee: $599 USD
This meeting is by invitation only. Registration includes all meal events, educational sessions, and digital meeting materials.
Guest tickets are available for $150 to current WEI Board of Directors members and allow a personal guest (a spouse or partner who does not work in the energy industry) to accompany the Board member at the event. Guest registration includes all meal events.
Special Invite registration includes all meal events, education sessions, and meeting materials. Does not include the two Business Sessions.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Executive Committee - Business Session
This is a closed-session for current Executive Committee Board Members only.
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Welcome Reception + Board Dinner
Join us for a welcome reception and plated dinner onsite at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach. All Board Members and attendees are welcome.
Sponsored by Burns & McDonnell.
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Networking Breakfast + Opening Remarks
Speaker(s): Gillian Wright, SVP & Chief Customer Officer, Southern California Gas Company
Join us for a networking breakfast as the WEI Board Chair welcomes the group to Long Beach, California. Welcome remarks will begin at 7:30 AM.
Sponsored by Itron.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
SoCalGas Industry Tour
WEI will transport members off-site to visit and tour Southern California Gas Company's Energy Resource Center (ERC) and [H2] Innovation Experience in Downey, California. The ERC showcases innovations in resource-efficient designs, materials and equipment to help your business make informed choices about energy consumption and conservation. The [H2] Innovation Experience is North America's first-ever clean hydrogen powered microgrid and home. This project demonstrates how carbon-free gas made from renewable electricity can be used in pure form or as a blend to fuel energy systems and communities of the future. Named a World-Changing Idea by Fast Company and awarded the U.S. Green Building Council of L.A.’s Sustainable Innovation Award, the [H2] IE features clean hydrogen production and storage along with a nearly 2,000 square-foot home that can draw power from solar panels and convert excess renewable energy into clean hydrogen.
The Board will break into three groups: each group will tour the Hydrogen Home, the Energy Resources Center, and have a break for coffee and discussions. Round-trip transportation will be provided by WEI.
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Networking Lunch
We'll return to the hotel for an onsite networking lunch.
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
2024 Outlook: The Future of the Energy + Utilities Industry
Speaker(s): Sam Uyeno, Partner, West Monroe
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Networking Break
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
NERC 10-Year Reliability Assessment
Speaker(s): Jim Robb, President and CEO, NERC
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Utility Knowledge Network
Speaker(s): Jay Bick, Advanced Clean Technology Engineering Manager, San Diego Gas & Electric Company
We welcome a 2023 Business Acumen for Emerging Leaders alumni as WEI looks to advance an idea from their capstone presentation to increase member value.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Board of Directors - Business Session
This is a closed-session for current Board Members only.
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Networking Reception + Dinner
Join us for a reception and buffet dinner onsite at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach. All Board Members and attendees are welcome.
Please contact the hotel at (562) 491-1234 to reserve your room. Identify yourself as being with Western Energy Institute to receive a special rate of $229 USD/night. This rate is guaranteed until January 5, 2024 or until the WEI room block is full.