From RMEL Executive Director Rick Putnicki

Hello and happy August from RMEL! As we near the end of summer, we realize this time of the year means heading back to school for many. We hope that also means jumping back into RMEL educational programming for you! We’ve added several conferences, workshops, and webinars to our calendar, and we hope you’ll be able to join us for one of the many opportunities to learn, connect with others in the industry, and grow as a professional. On that note, there is no better opportunity than to attend the RMEL Fall Convention firsthand! 

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2023 RMEL FALL CONVENTION IS OPEN!

September 11th-13th, 2023 at the brand-new Omni Hotel in Tempe, AZ

Registration for the 2023 RMEL Fall Convention is now open! This is your event! We look forward to returning in-person and hosting you and 250+ of your electric utility industry executive peers for lively and enjoyable discussions centered on a program focused on strategically addressing today's top concerns for electric utilities. Here’s what you can expect at this year’s Fall Convention:

• Elite Convention Speakers - RMEL is building a phenomenal line-up of influential and thought-provoking industry leader speakers to make this an effective and inspiring convention that you won't want to miss.
• Meet Other Industry Leaders - C-Suite Executives along with Directors, Managers, and emerging professionals, will all be there!
• Build your Professional Network - The networking opportunities have earned an exceptional reputation due to the decision-makers and thought leaders in attendance. RMEL is committed to providing a relaxed and productive forum for our members. The focus of the Fall Convention is on value, substance, and making connections.
• Dedicated Networking Opportunities - A golf outing, receptions and meals, a RMEL Foundation silent auction, and networking breaks will provide valuable opportunities to connect with your industry peers.     

VIEW THE 2023 FALL CONVENTION AGENDA & SESSIONS AT-A-GLANCE!

Exciting program details are updated daily! You can expect a solid lineup that will include keynotes, the popular CEO Panel, RMEL Foundation Auction, and more. We look forward to seeing you there!

This year’s educational programing is loaded with timely and relevant topics! 

The 2023 Fall program brings together executive leadership and management to offer their insight and thoughts on a variety of issues, trends, challenges, and the direction they are leading their companies. Check out the Agenda & Sessions At-A-Glance to get more details about the Convention agenda, networking opportunities, session topics and descriptions, and much more! 

THE 2023 FALL CONVENTION SECURED TWO QUALITY THOUGHT LEADERS AS KEYNOTES!

RMEL welcomes two stellar keynote speakers. I am confident you will not be disappointed! 

Day 1 Keynote Speaker (Tuesday, September 12th): Peter Zeihan, Geopolitical Strategist & Global Affairs Expert

With a lively non-partisan approach backed by a decade in private intelligence, Zeihan shows the audience exactly why their world is changing fast—and how they can get ahead of it. Zeihan illustrates how geography redefines global power, how demographics doom the current trade order, and how America’s energy revolution has fundamentally shifted global realities from Russia to Iran to China.

Day 2 Keynote Speaker (Wednesday, September 13th): Vibhas Ratanjee, Subject Matter Expert and Global Practice Leader for Leadership Development – Gallup

Vibhas specializes in organizational development, culture change, M&A integration and executive-level engagement strategies including strengths-based leadership and succession management. Vibhas is also an executive coach and a leadership consultant to senior executives and CEOs. Vibhas is one of Gallup’s foremost practice leaders on leadership development and succession planning and has consulted with CEO’s and Boards globally. Prior to joining Gallup in 2000, Vibhas spent six years with various consulting and research companies working in the areas of employee engagement, leadership, customer experience and brand management.

JOIN US IN AN OPEN DISCUSSION WITH 2023 FALL CONVENTION CEO PANELISTS!

Additionally, RMEL is pleased to invite an open discussion with the always popular CEO Panel, taking place on Wednesday, September 13th from 10:30-11:45 a.m. MST.

The power industry has transitioned to a new electric energy business model, and the changes are continuing. Electric utilities are leveraging existing technology to minimize costs and maximize operations while delivering solutions that are more aligned with changing customer expectations. This panel will focus on the diverse strategies CEOs are employing to usher their utilities into the new power industry frontier. The participants in this year’s CEO Panel include:

Barry Clegg, President, Black & Veatch Operations

Susan Gray, President & CEO, Tucson Electric Power/UNS Energy Corporation

Jeff Guldner, President & CEO, Pinnacle West Capital Corporation • CEO, Arizona Public Service

Jim Pratt, General Manager & CEO, Salt River Project

BOOK YOUR 2023 FALL CONVENTION HOTEL ROOM

The deadline to book your discounted hotel room in RMEL’s block is Monday, August 21st, 2023

A special room rate of $239 is available. To reserve your room, click "Book a Room" to open the hotel's website with the RMEL Fall Convention group rates and room availability. The RMEL Fall Convention block dates are September 10th-13th.

The best way to book your room is online, but you can call 602-794-8600 and mention "RMEL." You must mention you are making your reservation as part of the RMEL room block when calling the hotel. By not doing so, you may be incorrectly told that the hotel is full or quoted a different room rate. If the contracted room block is not met, RMEL is financially liable for penalties. Government Employees: If you make your reservation at the federal government rate, please be sure to mention you are part of RMEL so you will be counted towards the room block.

2023 FALL CONVENTION SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The 2023 Fall Convention will also feature roundtables, networking, technology showcases and more. Sponsorship opportunities throughout the event will include:

• Sponsorship of Keynote Speakers and Other General Sessions
• Banner Advertising
• App Sponsorship
• Networking Event Sponsorship
• Technology Showcases
• Dedicated Company Landing Page
• And More (we are open to additional customized sponsorship ideas)

For more information, please view the 2023 RMEL Fall Convention Sponsorship Prospectus.

If you're interested in a sponsorship, would like to discuss a customized opportunity or have questions, please contact Kathryn Hail at kathrynhail@rmel.org or (303) 865-5544. 

SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS AND DONATE TO THE RMEL FOUNDATION AUCTION

Donation Deadline is Friday, August 25th, 2023

Your donations are critical! Help support students pursuing electric energy careers by donating an item for the Annual RMEL Foundation Auction. The auction will be held during the 2023 Fall Convention on Tuesday, September 12th and is a primary resource for the 501c3 charity to support the funding of scholarships for the next generation of electric energy industry professionals.

We will use the same bidding app that we have used for the past couple of years. We will send more details to access that app before the auction.

Since its inception in the year 2000, the RMEL Foundation has grown considerably from the two $500 scholarships that year. To date, through your collective generosity and support, the RMEL Foundation has awarded more than 575 scholarships totaling more than $1.3 million for the next generation of electric energy professionals. Your support is needed to continue the Foundation's scholarship efforts. You are encouraged to donate an item to the auction and join the VIRTUAL auction to bid on donated items.

RMEL'S UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS

Please visit the RMEL Events and Education Calendar webpage for the most up-to-date list of offerings, and reference the below Upcoming Event List in this newsletter to learn more and register. Our Education Committees, made up of RMEL Members, strives to organize timely, important, and thoughtful educational and networking events, and we are looking forward to a full year of these opportunities curated by our members, for our members. We hope to see you soon at an upcoming event!   

RMEL AS YOUR RESOURCE

As always, please consider RMEL a resource to you and your organization. Please share those development opportunities with your peers, workgroups, and your professional network! Also, do not hesitate to reach out to us with topics or workshops you would deem beneficial to our industry.