Event Profile

NWPPA Annual Conference & Membership Meeting

Date(s):
September 10, 2020
Venue:
Online
Website:
http://www.nwppa.org/annual
Description:

 
 

NOTE:

THE EVENT DATE HAS PASSED. TO FIND INFORMATION FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, PLEASE VISIT THE TRAINING AND EVENT CATALOG OR CALL US AT (360) 254-0109.

Who Should Attend:

Utility general managers and CEOs; assistant managers; senior utility leaders; utility board directors, commissioners, and council members; associate members; and trade association heads.

Conference Overview:

We are excited to share our plans for our first virtual annual meeting. This meeting will include several sessions during the morning and early afternoon of September 10. Following the theme of 80 Years Strong and Reaching for the Future, the program will include valuable insights from APPA President and CEO, Joy Ditto followed by a top Department of Interior official addressing the state of wildfire strategy and land management during the pandemic. Next will be dynamic author and keynote speaker Jeremy Gutsche, who's talk on innovation and cutting edge-trends is a timely must-see to help inform decision-making at your utility. Directly following will be the annual business meeting and recognition of our award winners.

After optional educational lunch and learn sessions lunch, the meeting picks back up with our always engaging CEO Panel featuring SMUD CEO/General Manager Arlen Orchard, Clark Public Utilities CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Clearwater Power Company General Manager David Hagen, and Hood River Electric Cooperative General Manager Libby Calnon. The session will be moderated by NWPPA Executive Director Scott Corwin and promises to be especially lively and informative session this year.

In addition to the education, insights, and NWPPA elections and resolutions, there will be opportunities to network and reconnect with friends along the way. We hope you will join us for this new and exciting program.

Conference Agenda:

Wednesday, September 9 (Pre-conference Events)


2:30-4:30 p.m.

Government Relations Committee Meeting

All NWPPA members are encouraged to participate in the Government Relations Committee meeting. Attendees will receive updates on legislative and regulatory issues that are before Congress and the administration. Additionally, members will have the opportunity to review the 2020 proposed resolutions before their consideration at the Annual Business Meeting.


 4:30-5 p.m.

Virtual Networking

A virtual opportunity to casually reconnect with colleagues around the region, meet new faces, and share stories.


 

Thursday, September 10


8:30-9 a.m.

Room Open & Networking Coffee
Hosts: Scott Corwin, Executive Director, Mike Hyatt-Evenson, Director of Learning and Workforce Development, NWPPA

Grab a cup of coffee and log on early to join in some lighthearted trivia and polls, network with others, and be entered to win prizes.


9-10:30 a.m.

Opening Session and Annual Business Meeting

President’s Welcome
Ron Holmes, 2019-2020 NWPPA Board President, and Vice President, Wasco Electric Cooperative

Keynote: Opening Address
Speaker: Joy Ditto, President and CEO, American Public Power Association

Our industry remains strong and focused in these uncertain times. As we weather this storm, we will continue to change to meet industry demands. Ditto will discuss key insights on the state of the industry and provide perspective on how public power can continue to reach for the future, no matter the future’s uncertainty.

Keynote: Deputy Secretary of Interior on Wildfire and Land Management in a Pandemic
Speakers: Kate MacGregor, Deputy Secretary, and Kiel Weaver, Associate Deputy Secretary, of the U.S. Department of Interior

The pandemic is not the only key focus for utilities preparing for the future. Proactive planning and land management, early response, and safety continue to play a large part in wildfire mitigation. Hear guidance from leaders at the U.S. Department of the Interior on the state of wildfire strategy and land management during the pandemic.

Annual Business Meeting
After a brief talk with the President and Executive Director on the state of NWPPA in this unprecedented year, delegates from each member utility will have the opportunity to vote on new Trustees, Resolutions, and Bylaws changes. Additional utility personnel are encouraged to participate in this meeting.
10:30-10:45 a.m.

Break
View information about our generous sponsors, and hurry back for an opportunity to win raffle prizes.


10:45-11:45 a.m.

Second General Session - Awards and Keynote

First Awards Presentation

Esteemed award winners will be announced and honored.

Keynote: Innovation and Reaching for the Future
Speaker: Jeremy Gutsche, NYT Bestselling Author, CEO, Trend Hunter

Dynamic author and speaker Jeremy Gutsche’s talk on innovation and cutting-edge trends is a timely must-see to inform strategic decision-making at your utility. We are excited to offer a free copy of his latest book, Create the Future + The Innovation Handbook to the first 175 annual meeting registrants. Gutsche’s book discusses how to think disruptively and includes a revised edition of his award-winning book, Exploiting Chaos.


11:45-11:55 a.m.

Break
Refresh your beverage, check your email, grab some snacks then hop back on for our informative lunch and learn session.


11:55 a.m.-12:20 p.m.

Lunch and Learn

The Future of the Political Landscape
Speaker: Dan Lavey, President/Partner, Gallatin Public Affairs

Hear straight from the expert in an interactive session on the pre-election political landscape in the Northwest and nationally.

Sponsored by Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange


12:20-12:30 p.m.

Break
View information about our generous sponsors, and hurry back for an opportunity to win raffle prizes before settling in for the dynamic CEO panel discussion.


12:30-2:15 p.m.

Third General Session - CEO Insights, Final Awards, and Closing

CEO Panel
Moderator: Scott Corwin, Executive Director, Northwest Public Power Association

Panelists: Libby Calnon, General Manager, Hood River Electric Cooperative; David Hagen, General Manager, Clearwater Power Company; Arlen Orchard, CEO/General Manager, Sacramento Municipal Utility District; and Lena Wittler, CEO/General Manager, Clark Public Utilities

Always filled with thought provoking perspectives, the panel promises to be an especially lively and informative session this year, and will be ready to answer your questions at the end of the session.

Second Awards Presentation

Esteemed award winners will be announced and honored.

Honoring 2019-2020 NWPPA Board President Ron Holmes

We have stood strong with current NWPPA Board President Ron Holmes and will honor his service to the membership. We will also welcome incoming Board President, Brad Janorschke, General Manager of Homer Electric Association, who will help us remain strong as we continue reaching toward the future.


Conference Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:    
     
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Silver Sponsors:
     
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Bronze Sponsors:
     
Aether Advisors Alaska Power Association Brown & Kysar
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Energy Northwest Evluma FCS GROUP
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NRTC   National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC)
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Utility Voting Delegates

Each utility is authorized to cast one (1) vote and is entitled to have a Primary Voting Delegate and an Alternate Voting Delegate at the Annual Business Meeting. Additional utility personnel are encouraged to participate in these meetings as well but each utility will only be allowed one vote by the designated voting delegate. Please complete the Voting Delegate Designation Form no later than August 28, 2020. For questions, or to see if your utility has already provided voting delegate information, please contact Nicole Farabee at (360) 816-1454 or nicolef@nwppa.org.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

For more information about sponsorship opportunities please contact Nicole Farabee at (360) 816-1454 or nicolef@nwppa.org.

Conference Schedule:

Login and networking will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the conference will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

How to Participate:

Instructions will be emailed to attendees at least 12 hours before the webinar and we recommend that you test the link to the meeting as soon as you get the instructions. This webinar will use Zoom, and is best viewed using Chrome as your browser. We recommend that you use a landline for both your phone and your internet connections.

Conference Fees:

Member Rate: $185
Non-member Rate: $275

Continuing Hours and Credentials:

This event qualifies for six NWPPA continuing hours, and one NRECA Director Gold continuing education credit. Certificates are issued upon full completion of the event.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations are accepted, with full refund, if request is made at least 30 days prior to the course. Within 30 days, fees are as follows: 15-29 days, $100; 1-14 days or "no show," 100% of registration fee. When possible, please send a substitute instead of canceling. NWPPA does not charge a fee for substitutions.

For More Information:

To find out more about this event, or to learn about other events, view the Training and Event Catalog.