2026 FMEA Energy Connections Conference & Trade Show


Tuesday, November 3, 2026
to Wednesday, November 4, 2026
* Registration open until 11/4/26 at 12:00 AM (EST)
Register Now
* Registration open until 11/4/26 at 12:00 AM (EST)
Sponsor Benefits Book Hotel Trade Show Prospectus
Category: FMEA Signature Events

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The FMEA Energy Connections Conference & Trade Show is designed for a broad cross-section of employees, from public power technical personnel to safety managers. The event has much to offer to each segment of a utility's personnel, from directors and public power professionals involved in electric utility management and operations – to customer service and communication specialists.


Who should attend this event?

The conference is designed for municipal electric utility professionals at every level, offering specialized breakout tracks in Customer Service; Safety & Training; Security & Technology; and Utility Operations. 

Customer Service

Customer Service Managers, Call Center Leaders, Billing and Collections Supervisors, Key Accounts Managers, Energy Services Coordinators, and Communications or Public Relations Specialists who want to enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and strengthen community relationships.

Safety & Training

Line Superintendents, Transmission & Distribution Managers, Crew Leaders, Journeyman and Apprentice Linemen, Safety Managers, Safety Training Coordinators, Field Operations Supervisors, and Vegetation Management Specialists committed to advancing field safety, efficiency, and teamwork.

Utility Operations

Directors of Electric Operations, Systems Planners, Distribution and Substation Managers, Electrical and Civil Engineers, Grid Modernization Specialists, Operations Supervisors, and Control Center or Dispatch Managers seeking insight into new technologies, infrastructure planning, and best practices in utility operations.

Security & Technology

CIOs, IT Managers, Network Administrators, SCADA Specialists, OT Systems Engineers, Cybersecurity Leaders, Physical Security Managers, and Security Systems Technicians focused on protecting utility systems, integrating new technology, and maintaining operational resilience.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Roles

General Managers, Utility Directors, Assistant City Managers, Human Resources Leaders, Training & Workforce Development Coordinators, Regulatory Compliance Managers, and Project Managers looking to stay ahead of industry trends and lead their teams with confidence.


Conference Agenda Overview

Tuesday, November 3
 9 a.m. - Noon

 General Sessions

  • Everyone's a Spokesperson: Equipping Your Team to Tell the Public Power Story, Steve Vancore, President, VancoreJones Communications
  • From Experimentation to Advantage: Building an AI-informed business strategy, Jeff Danley, Director of Innovation, Burns & McDonnell
  • Keynote: Thrive Without Limits: Unshakeable Resilience One Step at a Time, Tom Turcich, Author, The World Walk
 Noon - 2 p.m.  Awards Luncheon
 2 - 4 p.m.  Concurrent Breakout Sessions

 Customer Service Breakout:

  • When AI & Humans Work Together, Glenn Lamont, VP Utilities, Hansen Technologies
  • Florida Public Power: Affordability, Reliability & Customer Confidence, Rob Earle, Principal and Partner, First Quartile Consulting

 Safety & Training Breakout:

  • A Moral Obligation: Leadership's Responsibility to Protect, Brandon Wylie, Campus President, Northwest Lineman College
    • Municipal roundtable discussion

 Security & Technology Breakout:

  • Limited Funding and Support: Building the case for security and compliance funding, Mike Almeyda, President, Grid Guard Solutions
    • Municipal workshop

 Utility Operations Breakout:

  • Monitoring Power Quality, Melvin Liwag, Senior Engineer, System Planning and Reliability Engineering, OUC
    • Municipal roundtable discussion
 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.  Energy Connections Trade Show
 7 - 9 p.m.  Networking Dinner
Wednesday, November 4
 7:30 - 9 a.m.   Reverse Trade Show & Breakfast
 9 a.m. - Noon  Concurrent Breakout Sessions

 Customer Service Breakout:

  • Power in their Hands: Preparing Utilities for the Next Generation of Customer Choice, Jessica Stanphill, Customer Service Manager, Lakeland Electric, Patti LaMarche, Manager of Customer Service and Call Center and Alex Sanchez, Business Systems Analyst, KUA, Ashley Levin, Customer Service Manager, FPUA, and Leroy Peter, Business Process Solutions Manager, City of Tallahassee
  • Leveraging Customer Insights at Lakeland Electric, Korey Bush, Assistant General Manager Customer Operations, Lakeland Electric; Michael Vigeant, CEO, GreatBlue Research
  • Working Smarter, Not Harder: Building an Exception-Driven Utility, Tyler Parsons, Coordinator Special Projects, and Latosha Hayes, Coordinator Special Projects, City of Tallahassee
  • The Power of Caring: JEA's Community Programs and Partners, Raven Simmons, Manager of Community Partnerships & Affordability Programs, JEA

 Safety & Training Breakout:

  • Welcome to Orlando: How OUC Onboards Its Mutual Aid Partners, James Alexander, Senior Technical Trainer and Gianna Hernandez, Organizational Change Management Program and Planning Manager, OUC
  • Top 10 Safety Actions That Will Help Change Your Culture, Jeremy Adcock, Director of Training and Safety Programs, Alpha Omega Safety Solutions & John Reger, Director of Safety, SPE Group
  • Winning the Challenge of Stale Safety Processes & Blind Spots, Candace Bell, Manager, Leidos

 Security & Technology Breakout:

  • Securing Utilities in an Ever- Changing Environment, Carter Nelson, Account Executive & Steve Sinclair, Director Utility Market, Convergint
  • Recovering from a Cyber Incident: Mutual Assistance, Resources, and Next Steps, Anna Detloff, Senior Cybersecurity Program Manager, American Public Power Association
    • Municipal roundtable discussion

 Utility Operations Breakout:

  • The Evolving Landscape of Single-Phase Reclosers, Eric Brunner, Territory Manager, Hubbell Power Systems
  • AI Power Shock: Why AI Load Growth Changes Everything About Grid Planning, Steve Woerner, Chief Strategy Officer - Energy, KCI
  • The Impact of Data Centers in  Municipalities, Daryl Ingram, Chief Operating Officer, ECG
  • Clewiston's AMI Journey, Lynne Mila, Director of Operations, City of Clewiston
Conference agenda subject to change.

Attendee Registration Before August 15 August 15 - October 23 Late, On-site
FMEA Municipal Member $350 $375 $400
FMEA Associate Member $550 $575 $650
Non-Member $700 $725 $800

Attendee registration includes the following meals:
Tuesday:
Light breakfast, Awards Luncheon, Energy Connections Trade Show, Networking Dinner
Wednesday: Light breakfast only

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations and refund requests are subject to a 15% non-refundable administration fee and must be received by FMEA in writing by five (5) business days before scheduled start of event or meeting. Because of hotel guarantee requirements, no registration refunds will be made after this date. No-shows will not be refunded. All registration and payment information is for FMEA use only and kept strictly confidential.

Cancellations must be made in writing, e-mailed to: Beth Morris, FMEA, PO Box 10114, Tallahassee, FL 32302-2214 • E-mail: bmorris@flpublicpower.com

Trade Show Exhibitors - SOLD OUT

Trade Show registration includes two representatives as well as a 6-foot table with tablecloth, skirting, and two chairs.  One additional representative spot can be purchased for a max of 3 representatives per table. Registration for exhibitors closes October 2, or when sold out.

Note: Trade show tables are now sold out. You may join this waitlist in the event of exhibitor cancellation(s).

Exhibitor Registration Rates
Associate Member Non-Member Add a Table Representative

Option 1: Trade Show + Networking Dinner + Reverse Trade Show for two representatives

$1,100 $1,500 $400

Option 2: Trade Show only for two representatives - Does not include Networking Dinner or Reverse Trade Show

$800 $1,200 $250

Option 3: Trade Show + All Conference Functions for two representatives - Includes all conference sessions, Awards Luncheon, Networking Dinner, Reverse Trade Show 

$1,500 $1,900 Please purchase associate-  or non-member conference registration.

Electricity - Will be provided by the hotel to the exhibit table; complimentary for event sponsors.

$100 

Notes: Net proceeds from the trade show may be transferred to the MEPAC (Municipal Electric Political Action Committee).


FMEA Continuing Education Program

There are 8.0 CEU’s (Professional Development Hours) available for attending this FMEA event.


Code of Conduct | Cancellation Policy

Attendees of Florida Municipal Electric Association meetings agree to abide by the FMEA Code of Conduct. If attendees engage in unacceptable behavior as outlined in the Code of Conduct, FMEA may take any action it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, expulsion from the current and future meetings with no warning or refund.

* Registration open until 11/4/26 at 12:00 AM (EST)
Register Now
* Registration open until 11/4/26 at 12:00 AM (EST)
Sponsor Benefits Book Hotel Trade Show Prospectus

Conference Hotel

Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay - Block sold out
2900 Bayport Dr 
Tampa, FL, 33607 US

Room rate: $209/night, self-parking reduced to $20 

Airport Shuttle

Suggested Nearby Hotel

Embassy Suites Tampa Airport Westshore
555 North Westshore Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33609

Government room rate: $155/night


Scam Alert

Please do NOT make hotel reservations or purchase attendee lists through any third party that may contact you by phone or email. Use only the online reservation links, phone numbers, and discount codes available directly from FMEA.


For More Information:

Elizabeth Bendele

Elizabeth Bendele

Director of Member Services, FMEA

View Profile

(850)224-3314 x1002