This one and a half day event provides a full-day educational session, a business meeting and the opportunity to network with the West’s natural 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 Western North America and is driven by the yearly theme. Each year the Board of Directors convene twice, once in January/February, and the second coincides with the WEI Annual Meeting to evaluate WEI as a whole. At this meeting, the Board of Directors convene a business session to evaluate WEI’s accomplishments and determine the direction of the association.
General Details
- Program Chair(s)
- Dennis Vermillion, President, Avista Corp.
- Program Location
- Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
- 1107 Jamboree Rd.
Newport Beach, CA 92660 - Who Should Attend
- WEI Board of Directors members
- Select invitees
- Registration Options
This meeting is invitation only. Current WEI Board of Directors are welcome to attend free of charge along with a personal guest, (a spouse or partner who does not work in the energy industry).
Attendee (Special Invite): $599 USD
This registration is for attendees who are not currently serving on the board but have been invited to attend. This includes Platinum representatives who would like to attend the full agenda on Monday. Registration includes all meal events, education sessions, and meeting materials. Does not include the two Business Sessions.
- General Cancellation Policy
- Due to contractual obligations, cancellations received 15 business days prior to the program will receive a full refund. Cancellations received 6 to 14 business days prior to the event will receive a refund, less a $100 administrative fee. No shows and last minute cancellations, 5 business days prior to the event or less, will be responsible for the full registration fee. Substitutions from your organization for the same event are always welcome.
- Participation Policy
- Western Energy Institute programs and events are open to energy companies (including gas production and electric generation, gas and electric transmission and gas and electric distribution utilities). Select programs and events are open to energy industry product and service suppliers. Programs and events are closed to all media representatives and to the general public.
- For more information contact Anna Sanger Reed, Director of Customer + Corporate Programs at (503) 688-2795.
Agenda
Sunday, January 27, 2019
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Executive Committee - Business Session
Committee members only
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Welcome Reception + Dinner
Monday, January 28, 2019
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Buffet Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Shaping the Digital Utility Workforce
Moderator(s): Andy Stulbarg, Vice President, West, SAP
Panelist(s): Margaret Hopkins, VP & Chief Information Officer, Puget Sound Energy, Kathy Kay, Sr. Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Kevin Chase, Senior Vice President, Chief Information and Digital Officer, Sempra Energy, Todd Inlander, Sr. Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Southern California Edison
A moderated dialogue between CIOs will explore how utilities are changing the way business is done to leverage new opportunities in technology, analytics and automation. Hear how companies are transforming the way work is being done through a variety of initiatives and new approaches.
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Break
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Decarbonization Pathways: Keys to the Best Solutions for Our Customers
Moderator(s): William Kemp, Partner, Enovation Partners
Panelist(s): Todd Strauss, Sr. Director, Strategy & Analytics, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Michael Backstrom, Managing Director, Energy & Environmental Policy, Southern California Edison, Greg Caldwell, Director, Development & Innovation, ATCO Pipelines, Sharon Tomkins, Vice President, Customer Solutions and Strategy, Southern California Gas Company
Technological advances provide exciting new opportunities in low-carbon energy supply from electricity or natural gas, but perspectives vary across companies and regions when determining which technology to integrate on what timeline. Utility leaders need to gain a better understanding of the feasibility and costs of alternative electric and gas pathways to achieving GHG emissions and reduction goals. This panel will bring together different perspectives on how companies can address decarbonization requirements while weighing cost and reliability. Through the discussion, the panel will highlight broad policy principles or messages that both electric and natural gas utilities can support when engaging the public, customers, and regulators.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
12:30 PM - 4:00 PM
The Future of Electrification and Implications for your Organization
Facilitator(s): Pam Henderson, Founder and CEO, NewEdge Inc.
NewEdge and its CEO Pam Henderson will explore the future of electrification and the role of natural gas using an applied scenario approach that will help build an understanding of what the future holds in the next 10 to 20 years. Facilitators will create engagement through exercises that bring unique perspectives together and will drive impact well beyond the future proofing session.
We will look at electrification using a holistic approach that encompasses a diverse trend set, including categories such as: Sociocultural, Competitive, Economic, Natural, Advancements in Technology and Business Models, Regulatory, International, and Organizational. Combined with that approach, NewEdge uses a range of insights and data to create a fairy and scary tale of what the future could hold, specific to WEI.
Pam Henderson previously served on the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University and later worked with the national laboratory system to commercialize early stage technologies. She is known for bringing new thinking and perspective on how to capture and harness opportunity. Participants will receive a copy of Pam Henderson’s book, “You can kill an idea, you can’t kill an opportunity”.
4:15 PM - 5:30 PM
Board of Directors - Business Session
Board members only
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Reception
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Dinner
Hotel + Travel
- Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
- 1107 Jamboree Rd.
- Newport Beach, California 92660
- Phone: 949-729-1234
Click here to make your reservation now.
- The Hyatt Regency Newport Beach is the perfect place to work, play, relax, meet, dine, and simply be yourself. Superb services and amenities, including a self-serve Mac Station, gift shop, same day laundry services and public Wi-Fi add up to an unforgettable stay. Travelers on the go appreciate "grab & go" food options in Lobby Lounge, Mobile Check-in and the E-Concierge. Our convenient hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to and from John Wayne Airport, Fashion Island and Balboa Island, and we have a Hertz Rental Car right at the hotel to simplify your travels.
- Reservation Instructions
Please contact the hotel directly at (800) 233-1234 to reserve your room. Identify yourself as being with WEI Board of Directors to receive a special rate of $175 USD/night. This rate is guaranteed until January 11, 2019 or until the WEI room block is full.
