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Connections Summit 2026

More than 200 members, sponsors, speakers, and guests joined us Feb. 12-13 in Cary, North Carolina, for a fantastic few days of connecting, learning, and problem-solving. Over the next few weeks, we’ll post slides on this page from many of our presentations.

Thanks to all for joining us. We hope to see you in 2027!

 

 

2026 Connections Summit Agenda

Thursday Feb 12
Time
Event
Speaker(s)
Location
Time8:30-9:30 a.m.
EventRegistration and Breakfast
Speaker(s)
LocationCarolina Ballroom Pre-function
Time9:30-10:30 a.m.
EventIMPACT: 6 Ways Leaders Can Boost Morale & Productivity Through Change
Speaker(s)Odell Bizzell, Communications Consultant/TEDx Speaker, For College For Life
LocationPinehurst
Time10:30-11 a.m.
EventBreak
Speaker(s)
LocationSponsor Showcase Open
Time11 a.m.-12 p.m.
EventFrom Load Growth to Grid Impact: Meeting the Data Center Energy Challenge
Speaker(s)Patricia Taylor, Director, Policy and Research, American Public Power Association
LocationPinehurst
Time12-1 p.m.
EventNetworking Lunch
Speaker(s)
LocationPinehurst
Time1-2 p.m.
EventBreakout Sessions
Speaker(s)
Location
Time
EventWired for Success: Powering Eli Lilly with Capacity and Vision
Speaker(s)Alex Burris, Director, City of Concord Electric Systems; Caleb Greene, Special Projects Manager, City of Concord Electric Systems
LocationReynolds
Time
EventWorkforce to Leadership: Shaping the Future of Utility Management
Speaker(s)April Broughton, Manager, Educational Programs, ElectriCities; Susanne Taylor, Senior Member Training and Engagement Specialist, ElectriCities
LocationSmith
Time2-2:30 p.m.
EventBreak
Speaker(s)
LocationSponsor Showcase Open
Time2:30-3:30 p.m.
EventBreakout Sessions 2
Speaker(s)
Location
Time
EventDriving Growth Through Innovation: Economic Development Strategies That Power Communities
Speaker(s)Lindsey Almond, Economic Development Director, City of Albemarle; Kathy Howard, Business Development Specialist, Greenville Utilities Commission; Holt Moore, City Attorney, City of Lumberton
LocationReynolds
Time
EventModernizing Utility GIS: Unlocking the Power of ESRI’s Utility Network
Speaker(s)Joel Campbell, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Avineon; Stephen Fox, GIS Analyst, City of Morganton; Emily Garrigues, GIS Analyst, City of Statesville; Zach Lawlor, GISP, GIS Manager, Langan; Elizabeth Stancik, GIS Analyst, City of Statesville; John Steel, Electric Engineering Manager, City of Morganton
LocationSmith
Time3:45-4:45 p.m.
EventFrom Insight to Impact: Leveraging Data Visualization
for Smarter Utility Decisions
Speaker(s)Shawn Mankad, Associate Professor of Analytics, NC State University Poole College of Management; Andrew Mitchell, Director, Solutions Engineering, Tantalus
LocationPinehurst
Time4:45-5:30 p.m.
EventNetworking Reception
Speaker(s)
LocationChimney Rock
Friday Feb 13
Time
Event
Speaker(s)
Location
Time7-8 a.m.
EventBreakfast
Speaker(s)
LocationChimney Rock
Time8-9 a.m.
EventCybersecurity Incident
Response: Tales From the Front Lines
Speaker(s)Erika Sacco, IT Director, Town of Apex; Scott Clark, IT Director, Town of Fuquay-Varina; Shannon Tufts, Ph.D., Professor of Public Administration and Government and Director, Center for Public Technology, UNC School of Government
LocationPinehurst
Time9-9:30 a.m.
EventBreak
Speaker(s)
LocationSponsor Showcase Open
Time9:30-10:30 a.m.
EventBreakout Sesssions
Speaker(s)
Location
Time
EventCustomer Roundtable
Speaker(s)Moderator: Kelsey Lawhead, VP, Customer Programs and Strategy, ElectriCities
LocationReynolds
Time
EventOperations Roundtable
Speaker(s)Moderator: Gregg Welch, VP, Member Outreach and Education, ElectriCities
LocationSmith
Time10:30-11:00 a.m.
EventBreak
Speaker(s)
LocationSponsor Showcase Open
Time11 a.m.-12 p.m.
EventCarolina Customers: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
Speaker(s)Steve Hawley, Communications Manager/Public Information Officer, GUC; Carolyn Justice-Hinson, Chief Customer Officer, Fayetteville PWC; Scott Mullis, Director of Customer Relations, GUC; and Jessie Parris, Finance Director, City of Morganton
LocationPinehust

Conference Policies

Code of Conduct & Attendee Waivers

We are committed to a safe, positive, and welcoming experience for all attendees. Please familiarize yourself with our conference code of conduct, waivers, and privacy policy.
Anti-trust Warning & Code of Conduct Terms and Privacy Policy

Agenda at a Glance

Check out the schedule of content and included meals for Connections Summit.
See the Schedule at a Glance