October 11, 2022

Fly Like an Eagle... Into the Future...

The Utility Roundtable is always a highlight of our annual Exchange. This year, participants formed the word cloud below with their responses this statement. Name something coming in the next two years that concerns you or that you consider a major challenge that you see for your utility moving forward to achieve a clean energy future.

Thanks to the more than 200 professional friends and families who joined us in Avon. We are exploring options to transfer the event ownership to another entity We hope to announce soon plans for future Exchanges with new management. Regardless, it was wonderful to be back together in person to reflect on 16 wonderful years and envision the future.

Ed Thomas & Tiger Adolf

Thank you... Thank you.... Thank you

We can't thank enough all the folks who were responsible for getting us back together in person. Our thank you list includes:

- Advisory Committee members who reviewed and ranked the presentation submission, and also co-chaired the sessions

- Sponsor organizations who provided financial resources and promoted their support to their communities

- Presenters were generous with their time and selfless in sharing their candid remarks

- Sharon Dobson with Sandra Humenik who joined us to expertly staff the registration desk and kept the event humming operationally

Plus, how about that Westin Riverfront staff? We didn't think anything could beat the intimacy of the meeting space and deliciousness of Aspen Meadows...! Then there was the entertainment provided by Walking Mountain Science Center and HawkQuest.

We couldn't have produced the Exchange without all of you sharing our vision for what an industry event should be.

Sandy Humenik, Tiger Adolf, Sharon Dobson, Ed Thomas with eagle from HawkQuest.

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September 7, 2022

What Makes This "Sweet 16th" A Record-Breaker?

With over 170 registrants and 31 sponsoring organizations so far, this year's "sweet 16th" Exchange will break all the participation records. It's a blessing that the Westin Riverside's meeting space is so much larger that the Aspen Meadows since we couldn't have all squeezed in there with this crowd.

What do you think are the reasons for the strong industry response this year? Is it the vibrant beneficial electrification and EV activities throughout Colorado? Or the looming federal IRA initiatives? Or is it the pull to get together in-person after 2 years of virtual Exchanges? Perhaps it is all of the above! Regardless, the agenda content has never looked more relevant, and the networking promises to be the most collaborative. We hope you are making plans to be with us in Avon from Monday afternoon for the battery and EV workshops and will stay through Thursday morning as we reflect on key takeways from this and past Exchanges.

Will you be with us in Avon? If so, tell folks you know that there's still time to register if you don't see them already on the registrant list at www.utilityexchange.org/16th-exchange-look-whos-coming.

Ed Thomas & Tiger Adolf

Sneak Peek Preview Recording Online

If you are a first-time attendee or still on the fence about registering, we encourage you to listen to the recording of the Sneak Peek Preview we recently recorded. We reviewed the agenda and activities planned, and suggested ways to make the most of the learning and networking opportunities. Listen at the link below or on the Utility Exchange podcast channel.

Listen to Preview Webinar HERE

Beaver Pond Tour Spots Still Available

There's still time to sign-up for the optional tour on Monday evening. All Exchange registrants and their families are invited to join Walking Mountains Science Center for educational activities and an approximately 2-mile round-trip walk to a beaver pond to observe an active lodge, followed by dinner in Vail Village. One vanload of attendees is already signed up, but a second van and guide have been added! Learn more about the tour at CLICK HERE.

Gene Rodrigues Nominated President Biden has nominated Gene Rodrigues to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Energy over the US Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity. Gene was the keynote at the 9th Exchange in 2015. View the announcement at CLICK HERE.
Load Flexibility Needs at Xcel Energy A recent study led by Ryan Hledik of Brattle Group for Xcel Energy explores the year-round need for load flexibility in a system that will rapidly decarbonize over the next several years. Ryan was the keynote at the 14th Exchange in 2020. View the report at CLICK HERE.
Megan Moore-Kemp Promoted Megan Moore-Kemp has started a new position as Member Relations Manager at Yampa Valley Electric Association. Stay connected with Megan via LinkedIn at CLICK HERE.
Marble Distilling’s Journey to Net Zero with Aveva Marble Distilling in Carbondale, Colorado has installed 35 kW of solar PV and Aveva’s DERNetSoft software platform as they seek to be a sustainability leader in the distilling industry. Learn more about the project from Aveva—who is a Platinum Sponsor—at this year’s Exchange and visit Marble Distilling at CLICK HERE.

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August 10, 2022

Beavers and Birds-of-Prey Aplenty

While the emphasis is always on energy industry learning and networking, we always make time to engage with nature. The rescue animal demonstration was a very big part of our Aspen event, so we want to be sure we offer opportunities to "plug in" to the nature scene in Avon.  At this year's Exchange, registrants and their families may visit a Beaver Pond at dusk on Monday, see a nature display during Tuesday's reception, and view birds of prey up close and inflight at the Wednesday evening meet-up.  These activities will offer the perfect "Did you see that?" conversation ice breakers to keep the discussion buzzing. Plus, the Eagle Valley walking/biking trail alongside the river just outside our meeting room will be a great place to stretch your legs with new and old acquaintances. See you soon in Avon!     

Ed Thomas & Tiger Adolf

Sneak Peek Preview Recording Online

If you are a first-time attendee or still on the fence about registering, we encourage you to listen to the recording of the Sneak Peek Preview we recently recorded.  We reviewed the agenda and activities planned, and suggested ways to make the most of the learning and networking opportunities.  Listen at the link below or on the Utility Exchange podcast channel.  

Christmas Wharton Joins ADM Christmas (Ramirez) Wharton is now with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) as a Senior Marketing Manager, MarComms & Brand Experience for animal nutrition and pets. As part of ADM's global communications team, she has moved to Bloomington, Illinois because Chicago is the main headquarters. Stay connected with Christmas via LinkedIn at CLICK HERE.

July 18, 2022

A New Venue in Avon

For 13 years the Exchange was presented at the Aspen Meadows Resort. The event space was ideal as our group grew from about 50 to over 100 attendees. This year we're moving to the Westin Riverside in Avon. It will be a much easier drive for those arriving by car, and much closer to Denver, Eagle County, and Grand Junction airports. Also, the meeting and lunch room there will better accomodate the over 150 people that we are anticipating this year based on how many names are on the registration list at www.utilityexchange.org/16th-exchange-look-whos-coming. As much as we will miss Aspen, we're glad for the room to grow.

Ed Thomas & Tiger Adolf

Exchange Preview Webinar/Podcast on August 3

If you are a first-time attendee or still on the fence about registering, we hope you'll join us live for a Exchange Preview webinar on August 3 at 10:30 a.m. Mountain, or listen to it afterward on the Utility Exchange podcast channel. We'll review the agenda and activities planned and suggest ways to make the most of the learning and networking opportunities.

Learn More and Register
for Preview Webinar HERE

Ryland French Joins CORE Ryland French has joined the Community Office for Resource Efficiency as its first senior director of regional climate strategy. Ryland was most recently with Aspen Skiing Company. Read the news at CLICK HERE and hear Ryland speak at this year's Exchange.
Opinion Dynamics Publishes Heat Pump Study Learn lessons from mature heat pump programs in 6 states from a comprehensive heat pump market characterization study by Opinion Dynamics to inform decision-making and goal setting for nascent heat pump programs. Learn more at CLICK HERE and hear Jen Loomis speak at this year's Exchange.
Brad Davids Joins Energy Outreach Colorado Board Brad Davids has joined the Board of Directors at Energy Outreach Colorado, a statewide non-profit serving low-income consumers and an Exchange sponsor. Brad is a past Exchange participant. Learn more at CLICK HERE.

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