General Details
- Program Location
- Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center
- 375 NE Holladay Street, Portland, Oregon 97232
- Who Should Attend
- Appointed members of the Executive Planning Committee
- WEI Board Committee members
- Special invitations
- Registration Options
Member: $449 USD
Registration price increases $100 after April 24, 2023. Registration includes access to all agenda items, meals, and digital program materials. Guest tickets are available for $100 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, Director of Programs at (971) 303-2119.
Agenda
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Registration + Networking
Arrive early to register and network with peers. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Welcome to the Executive Planning Committee
Speaker(s): Kevin Sullivan, President, Western Energy Institute
WEI welcomes the 2023 Executive Planning Committee and outlines the goals for the meeting.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Leveraging Technology to Improve Operational Efficiency + Safety
Moderator(s): Mike Elenbaas, Associate Vice President, Black & Veatch
Panelist(s): Lamis El Didi, Principal, Construction Consulting, Exponent, Dan Tunnicliff, Regional Vice President, Oracle Energy and Water - Opower, Oracle Energy & Water, Peter Griffen, Senior Account Executive, Urbint
This panel of experts dives into how innovative and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, automation, and data are helping us make informed decisions and improving operational efficiency and safety across our industry. In this interactive discussion, EPC members should come prepare to share examples of their own initiatives and pilot projects in these areas as we consider how technology has shaped our past and how it will continue to move us forward in the future.
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM
Networking Break
2:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Breakout Sessions - Committee Roundtables
During this session each of the four functional areas (Customer Connections, Corporate Services, Electric Operations, and Gas Operations) meet separately to discuss strategic issues. Come prepared to answer and discuss the question prompts below. Together, the top issues identified by this roundtable will springboard the EPC into the second day.
- What are the top 3 strategic issues and challenges that you and your team are facing?
- What have been your utility’s biggest successes this year that would be relevant to share with other utilities?
- What other issues or opportunities will affect the industry and your utility in the future?
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Networking Reception + Dinner
Join us for a hosted networking reception followed by a plated dinner onsite.
Thursday, May 11, 2023
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Networking Breakfast
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
WEI 2024 Annual Theme
Speaker(s): Gillian Wright, SVP and Chief Customer Officer, Southern California Gas Company
The WEI Annual Theme will be shared by WEI’s 2024 Chair-Elect, Gillian Wright, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, SoCalGas.
8:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Networking Break
8:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Breakout Sessions - Committee Planning
Building from the previous day's roundtables, each Committee will recap issues and opportunities and turn their attention to recommended tracks for WEI's two large conferences – Customer + Corporate Symposium and Operations Conference.
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Committee Report Outs
Committee leadership from the Customer + Corporate Symposium and Operations Conference come together to look at the big picture for each conference and identify any overlaps in content. This session is open to all EPC members.
Hotel + Travel
- Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center
- 375 NE Holladay Street
- Portland, Oregon 97232
- Phone: (971) 222-1234
Click here to make your reservation now.
- Reservation Instructions
Please contact the hotel directly at (971) 222-1234 to reserve your room. Identify yourself as being with Western Energy Institute (WEI) Executive Planning Committee to receive a special rate of $219 USD/night. This rate is guaranteed until May 2, 2023 or until the WEI room block is full.
