From RMEL Executive Director Rick Putnicki

2023 REFLECTIONS

It’s hard to believe the end of another year is upon us so quickly!

As we know, the electric energy industry is no stranger to the march of time with rapid change – a key theme at many of our events, as well as our industry life’s, have endured in the past few years. I can only imagine that will continue to be a prevalent topic that will no doubt feature prominently in 2024. Amidst the fast-paced transformation, I continue to remain impressed with our industry’s resilience and adaptability to face challenges head on with a sense of excitement, confidence and camaraderie.

As we turn the page to 2024, I extend my sincere gratitude to each member for your dedication, insights and contributions throughout the year. Our success as an industry, as well as our association, is a testament to the collective efforts of this remarkable community. Special thanks to the RMEL Board of Directors, Education Committees and numerous members that have opened their doors to hosting RMEL events, as well for their tireless commitment to enhancing the association and bringing membership together to learn and grow both professionally and personally. We are looking forward to collaborating even more in the next year to bring education and networking right to you and your colleagues!

With that, let's close out 2023 with reflection of our achievements and approach the New Year with optimism, determination, and a shared commitment to excellence. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

RMEL INITIATIVES UPDATE

RMEL Rebranding Initiative

Exciting times! The RMEL Rebranding Initiative is approaching its conclusion, and we are excited to share more in 2024. We have opportunities for the association to change its brand without losing the values of what we have built around…providing education and networking for the electric energy industry. We have selected a name and logo, and we are now in the process of legal review and working with our contractor to develop a launch plan to roll out with our membership. Stay tuned for updates in the new year! 

RMEL Dues Restructuring Initiative

We are now in the thick of dues renewal, and as you make plans for your 2024 budget, please note the new dues structure for 2024. As we all have experienced the soaring inflation rates and rising cost of services in the hospitality industry, we have found ourselves needing to reevaluate our dues structure, which we can proudly state has not changed since 1995 (our last dues increase). The adjustment will reflect a way that best aligns with our changing industry and will include new package options that will make planning and budgetary processes easier for all members. Please contact our office if you have any questions or need assistance in the process.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS!

2024 RMEL Spring Conference and 2024 RMEL Fall Convention dates and locations have been announced!

The 2024 RMEL Spring Conference will be held Monday, May 20th – Wednesday, May 22nd at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center in Denver, CO. Stay tuned for registration information, keynote speakers, event pricing, hotel block, sponsorship opportunities and more in the coming months!  

The 2024 RMEL Fall Convention will be held Monday, September 16th – Wednesday, September 18th at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa in Cedar Creek, TX (Austin). To assist in planning this event, RMEL is hosting a PLANNING SESSION for the 2024 Fall Convention next week on Thursday, December 7th, 2023, in Denver, CO. Registration is complimentary, and members are invited to share ideas and brainstorm topics. Learn more and register for the Planning Session now!

Events Scheduled for Early 2024

As RMEL kicks off 2024, we are pleased to have several events to look forward to:

February 2024 Safety Roundtable (Wednesday, February 28th in Westminster, CO): RMEL Safety Roundtables offer a unique forum for peer-to-peer sharing of experiences, critical issues and expertise. The roundtable is a discussion group, open only to RMEL members. Discussion is based on topics brought by attendees. Typically, one or two presentations are given, followed by attendee discussion and sharing. The roundtable is a good opportunity to share experiences, troubleshoot problems and network with peers in a smaller informal setting. The featured topic for the February Safety Roundtable will be announced soon!

2024 Safety Conference (April 2nd – 4th in Tempe, AZ): Safety is paramount in the power industry. It holds no boundaries, no rank. It is not a sometime thing. Safety must be at the forefront in everything we do. Everyone is responsible for safety. When it comes to safety, everyone’s a leader. Presentations will dive into the challenges we face today and safety best practices. Interactive roundtable discussions mixed into the program provide the opportunity to learn from each other.

We are regularly adding programs to our calendar of events, so please be sure to 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! 

REMINDER! THE 2024 RMEL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION IS NOW OPEN

During the end-of-year breaks is a great time for students to work on scholarship applications, and we encourage you to spread the word and share within your respective organizations and professional network. The deadline for students to apply is Friday, February 9th, 2024. Access the scholarship application to learn more! Please let us know if you have college/trade school/university contacts who would like to receive the scholarship information. Thank you for the corporate and individual cash donations! The RMEL Foundation Auction raised over $32,000. Learn more about 2023 Named Scholarship Sponsor opportunities for your company.

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. 

In closing, I have been fortunate the past 12-plus years to be a part of such a great association represented by a carrying and committed group of industry professionals. Thank you for your continued support, and I wish you and your family a blessed holiday season!