Sep

20-22

Corporate Communications (Sep 20-22)

Internal and external communication professionals are essential to their organizations in developing strategic plans, managing multiple communication channels, and acting as the face of the utility in times of crisis, transformation, and increasing competition. This biannual forum provides an exclusive, collaborative space for leaders in corporate communications to discuss these challenges and exchange best practices. Participants will gain a new understanding of executive communications strategies, employee communication, branding for recruitment and onboarding, and crisis communication through interactive sessions and roundtable discussions led by WEI member energy companies.

Register Now

General Details

  • Program Chair(s)
  • Erica Shiflet, Corporate Communications Manager, Idaho Power Company

    • Program Location
    • Idaho Power Company
    • 1221 W. Idaho Street Boise, ID 83702
    • Who Should Attend
    • Energy company corporate communications senior leadership, including directors and managers.

  • Registration Options
  • Member: $499 USD

    Registration price increases $100 after September 5, 2022. Registration includes digital materials and access to all event sessions and meals listed on the agenda. Guest tickets are available for $99 and allow for a personal guest (a spouse or partner who does not work in the energy industry) to accompany a registered attendee at the event. Guest registration includes all meals and receptions.

  • 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. Recording is not permitted for any portion of the event.
  • For more information contact Amy Nye, Program Manager at (971) 303-2119.

Agenda

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Networking Happy Hour

Join us for a no-host happy hour to catch up with your peers from across the West.

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Registration + Networking

Arrive early to register and network with peers. Please note, breakfast is on your own.

9:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Welcome + Introductions
Facilitator(s): Erica Shiflet, Corporate Communications Manager, Idaho Power Company
Speaker(s): Debra Leithauser, Vice President, Corporate Services and Communications, Idaho Power Company

The Program Chair will welcome the group to Idaho Power Company and kickoff roundtable introductions. Come prepared to share your name, your role, an overview of your company, a recent success story, and the top 3 challenges you and your team are facing right now.  

10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Networking Break

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Heat Waves and High Bills and Wildfires, Oh My!
Speaker(s): Erica Shiflet, Corporate Communications Manager, Idaho Power Company

Summer turns up the heat when it comes to challenges with internal coordination and external messaging. This session will provide an overview of Idaho Power’s recent efforts around summer messaging, including lessons learned from year one of a new PSPS program and the continued pressure of regional heatwaves. Come prepared to share your company’s successes, struggles or lessons learned when helping customers through extreme weather or the bills that follow!

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch

A catered lunch will be provided onsite.

1:00 PM - 2:15 PM

Communicating Diversity, Equity + Inclusion
Facilitator(s): Sarah Nystrom, Internal Communications Specialist, Tacoma Power

The words and images we use in our communications carry weight and help build up (or break down) people and communities. In this session, you will gain tools to empower you in selecting inclusive images and words.

2:15 PM - 2:30 PM

Networking Break

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Open Roundtable Discussion
Facilitator(s): Mark Hanson, Senior Public Relations Representative, MDU Utilities Group

This time is designated for an open roundtable discussion on top-of-mind issues. Topics will be guided based on the current challenges shared during introductions.

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Hosted Networking Dinner

Join us for a WEI hosted networking dinner in downtown Boise.

Juniper 
211 N 8th Street
Boise, ID83702

Thursday, September 22, 2022

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Networking Breakfast

A catered breakfast will be provided onsite.

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Finding Your Social Media Voice
Speaker(s): Mark Turner, Social Media Specialist, Sacramento Municipal Utility District

Learn how SMUD is using social media to build awareness for and engage customers in its 2030 Clean Energy Vision, including the recent addition of TikTok. You’ll also hear about how SMUD approaches customer service in its social media channels.

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Networking Break

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Addressing Employee Burnout
Speaker(s): Debra Leithauser, Vice President, Corporate Services and Communications, Idaho Power Company

Employee burnout is always a challenge, but given our new hybrid work structure and tension between the office and field, the threat seems bigger than ever. And with employee morale tied so closely to culture, the stakes also feel higher than ever. Hear a little about what Idaho Power is doing to engage employees and support company culture and come ready to discuss your own challenges, wins, and lessons learned.

10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Networking Break

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Open Roundtable Discussion
Facilitator(s): Erica Shiflet, Corporate Communications Manager, Idaho Power Company

Ask any remaining questions that were not yet discussed and benefit from the wealth of knowledge and experience of the group.

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Networking Lunch + Future Planning

A catered lunch will be provided onsite as we discuss our plans for the Spring 2023 Corporate Communications Forum.

Hotel + Travel

  • Hilton Garden Inn Boise Downtown
  • 348 S. 13th Street
  • Boise, Idaho 83702
  • Reservation Instructions
  • Please contact the hotel directly at (208) 342-7000 to reserve your room. Identify yourself as being with “WEI – Corporate Communications” to receive a special rate of $212 USD/night. This rate is guaranteed until September 5, 2022 or until the WEI room block is full.

Onsite Safety + Health Info

Effective August 18, 2022, proof of vaccination status or results of a negative COVID-19 test will not be required for admittance into most WEI-hosted programs.

WEI continues to monitor all federal level CDC, Canadian government and public health agency recommendations, as well as local ordinances, as a policy baseline for in-person programs. We encourage all attendees to review the current guidelines related to isolation and precautions prior to traveling to a WEI event, as well as guidance for traveling to and from Canada, which may differ from guidance for traveling to or from the United States.

Some WEI-hosted programs may require proof of vaccination status, if essential for participation, in which case WEI will communicate this requirement in advance of the program start date.

Please refer to WEI’s Safety + Health Code of Conduct for other important considerations.

Meet The Speakers

Erica Shiflet

Idaho Power Company

Corporate Communications Manager

Cara Chatfield

Sacramento Municipal Utility District

Manager, Corporate Communications

Sarah Nystrom

Tacoma Power

Internal Communications Specialist

Mark Hanson

MDU Utilities Group

Senior Public Relations Representative

Debra Leithauser

Idaho Power Company

Vice President, Corporate Services and Communications

Mark Turner

Sacramento Municipal Utility District

Social Media Specialist