NEPPA’s 2015 50th Anniversary Annual Conference was, by all accounts, a smashing success. Delegates and their guests arrived at the historic Mount Washington Resort on August 23 to misty mountains and immediately gathered at the opening reception to meet old friends and learn new faces. In addition, NEPPA introduced two new concepts at the conference: a mobile app and our new Ambassador program. The mobile app provided attendees with an on-the-spot reference to all aspects of the conference including the agenda, a list of attendees, event schedules, and a peek at plans for the 2016 Annual conference. Also introduced was a new Ambassador program whereby those who are new to the association or the conference were connected to some of our more established members. 

Following the reception, the delegation was treated to a barbecue dinner and the unveiling of the Outstanding Affiliate Member of the Year award, The Okonite Company!  The night was topped off by a champagne toast and fireworks display. 

Monday morning began with Calvin Ames, NEPPA President, leading the Pledge of Allegiance and introducing our keynote speaker, John Jimison of the Energy Future Coalition.  He was followed by Sue Kelly, President and CEO of American Public Power Association, who updated the group on current legislative issues and APPA’s plans for the immediate future. After lunch on the veranda, Susan Crawford, visiting professor of Harvard Law, and David Talbot of the Berkman Center spoke on the Monetizing of Fiber Optic Networks. All of the sessions were well attended and received high marks for content and relevance. (click here to see all presentations).

Monday afternoon, during the Annual Business Meeting and the Board of Directors Meeting, the lobby was open for various activities including chair massages, caricature drawings, and psychic readings; wagon rides were available outside for a jaunt around the property. Delegates and guests were also invited to participate in our annual Baseball Squares raffle that ultimately raised $1,000 for the Benevolent Fund.

Later that evening, the reception and formal banquet dinner that was held included awards to Commissioners and those that were recognized for outstanding service.  A surprise 50th Anniversary video was presented to the audience after the dinner concluded and will be available to view on the website very soon!  Delegates were then invited to continue enjoying the evening at Invoice Cloud’s hospitality suite located in the Cave, the Mount Washington Hotel's historic speakeasy!

Tuesday morning arrived and with it the Assistant Engineer of the hotel; he proceeded to lead a group of 30 of our delegates through the boiler room, outside steam facility and the location of the old coal delivery area. The tour wrapped up with a viewing of the original boilers that powered the lights when the building opened in 1902. After breakfast, the talents of Deborah Sliz were on display, when she presented a retrospective of the last 50 years in legislative issues that has affected NEPPA members. Mike Dirrane of Spectra Energy rounded out the speaking program with an update on natural gas pipeline developments in the northeast.

The afternoon was free and was followed immediately by a reception and Italian dinner in the original dining room of the hotel. Make-your-own-sundaes and an Elton John entertainer brought the conference to a close.  

Please see our other annual conference articles for more information and pictures!

Many thanks to our numerous sponsors that helped to make our event most memorable!