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NOTE: Session times, content and speakers can change at the discretion of the conference organiser. Please contact natalie@charge.events if you have any questions.
Time (CTZ)
8.30am
Day 1 | Thursday 18 May 2023
Registration opens.
Enjoy a cup of coffee and a light breakfast before the day begins.
Welcome address
Her Excellency Bergdís Ellertsdóttir, Ambassador of Iceland to the U.S
Bergdís Ellertsdóttir, Ambassador of Iceland to the U.S
9.15am-9.30am
Presentation: Ten projections for the North American energy market for 2023 and beyond
Future looking presentation unpacking the top trends shaping the North American energy market. Can you afford not to be in the know?
Jonathan Spivak, Vice President, Power & Renewables, Wood MacKenzie
9.35am-9.50am
The world’s great balancing act: Lessons from the SLB brand transformation
From Schlumberger to SLB – Insights from one of the biggest brand transformation projects in the energy space in 2022.
Giles Powell, Director of Brand and Strategy Communications, SLB
Nick Ranger, Managing Partner, Consulting, Brandpie
9.55am-10.10am
What’s in your wallet?
A look at how digital transformation and Vertexone are revolutionizing the customer experience and streamlining business process optimization.
Kevin O’Neill, Retail Sales Director, VertexOne
Luc Koshy, Retail Sales Director, VertexOne
10.10am-10.40am
Networking coffee break
10.40am-11.00am
Presentation: Modern day space invaders
Who are the new kids on the block and what does it mean for the industry?
Dr Fridrik Larsen, Founder, CHARGE Energy Branding/brandr
11.05am-11.35am
Panel : What should big energy brands do to avoid the “Blockbuster Video” pitfall
Blockbuster’s demise is centred on the rise of Netflix, yet it made strategic errors throughout its history that caused it to have a fall from grace. How can big energy brands be resilient during the invasion of the energy space invaders with challenger brands coming through with innovative offerings? What challenges do larger companies face?
Moderator: Shannon Binns, Senior Advisor of Retail Compliance, CSM, Engie
Rik Haslam, Executive Creative Partner, Brandpie
Rob Cantrell, CEO, Atlantic Energy
11.40am-12.05pm
Increasingly, brands are not judged by what they promise—but by what they do. And while many brands have moved from one-way to two-way conversations, there is still a focus on communications rather than on building distinct and compelling brand-led experiences that create lasting impact. As consumers and brand-building change, how does one ensure their brand is built for the future?
Katie Conway, General Manager, Siegel+Gale
12.10pm-12.30pm
Presentation: How to create a fever pitch brand
The 2022 championship win validates the Astros’ standing as one of the great baseball teams of recent history. What strategies are successful for fan engagement, brand reputation, brand innovation and revenue growth?
Anita Sehgal, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Houston Astros
Networking lunch break
Applying behavioral science to energy communications
Introduction to how behavioral science can enhance your communication strategies. A team of specialists will encourage you to apply fundamental concepts to real life examples in the energy sector.
Shirin Oreizy, Founder and CEO, Next Step
2pm – 2.15pm
Presentation: Authenticity in sustainability communications
Amidst the rise of green washing and green hushing, how can employees communicate with legitimacy, confidence and credibility?
Khyati Mehta, Sustainability Communications Leader, Baker Hughes
2.20pm-2.50pm
Panel: Communicating carbon free power
How are companies satisfying the recent spike in customers demanding a carbon free product to satisfy ESG and Scope 2 reduction goals? What are the communications challenges?
Moderator: Wesley Holmes, Chief Innovation Officer, Essence Partners
Diana Castellanos, Head of Marketing and Communications, Atlas Renewable Energy
David Leone, Senior Vice President of Retail Sales, Energy Harbor
Julia Muggeridge, Vice President of Communications and Sustainability, Electricity Canada
2.55pm-3.10pm
Presentation: Simplifying energy communications for customer impact
Energy industry professionals are often guilty of talking in acronyms and language that doesn’t always engage consumers. This interactive session will explore how marketers can communicate energy effectively with customers.
Elaine Kwok-Duncan, Senior Director of Marketing, Peak Power
3.10pm-3.30pm
Networking coffee break
3.30pm-4.20pm
Fireside chat: Intersection of electric vehicles, automobiles and the energy industry
E-mobility stakeholders, including utilities and auto manufacturers, need to understand customers’ pain points around the energy transition and define a value proposition that responds to those needs. Learn what those consumer pain points are, and how a leading utility and auto manufacturer are developing strategies to address them.
Matt Teske, Founder / CEO, Chargeway
KC Boyce, Vice President/Sector Lead, Powertrain Innovation & Energy Transformation, Escalent
4.25pm-4.55pm
Panel: How can you better understand the needs and expectations of your customers
We dive into insights of residential vs large energy consumers and discuss what it means for energy companies
What trends are residential construction companies seeing in new build homes (energy efficiency, electric vehicles, home, home solar and batteries)?
What do large energy consumers look for in an energy supply?
How can community outreach help utilities and retailers identify potential gaps in knowledge and customer perception?
Moderator: Ananda Goswami, Vice President, VXretail, VertexOne
Heather Siebken, Director, Product Development & Marketing, Omaha Public Power District
Joe Gehrdes, Director, Community Relations, Huntsville Utilities
Brittany Hirson, CEO, South Bay Energy
Matt Stasium, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Sales, Smartest Energy
4.30pm-6.30pm
Energizing Engagement: Strategies for Active Customer Participation
The workshop will explore ways to engage end customers to become active participants in shaping a modern grid to improve efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. Through interactive discussions and hands-on exercises, participants will learn about strategies that can empower individuals to take an active role in the energy system and gain a deeper understanding of the smart grid and the benefits of engaging customers as co-creators of the modern grid.
This workshop will take place in the Heights Room.
Oleg Slyusarchuk – Sustainability expert, Global head of Product Design, ELEKS
Orest Schur – Customer success director in North America, ELEKS
Geoffrey S Lakings – Sage Strategist focused on FWE Nexus solutions and services for a sustainable future
Matt Teske – Founder & CEO at Chargeway
5pm-5.10pm
Patrick Smith, North America Managing Director, ESG Global
5.15pm
MC wrap up and key findings of the day
Highlights and conclusion from the day
Matt Smith, Lead Oil Analyst – Americas, Kpler
5.30pm
Drinks reception
Time (CTZ)
8.30am
Day 2 | Friday 19 May 2023
Registration opens.
Enjoy a cup of coffee and a light breakfast before the day begins.
9am-9.30am
Debate: How will generative AI adoption and integration disrupt communications?
The launch of generative AI platforms including ChatGPT, DALL-E and Stable Diffusion,are becoming mainstream. This session will tackle the fundamental issues that AI poses to communication leaders.
Moderator: Javier Hinojosa, Vice President, Retail Power
Jason Cieslak, President, Pacific Rim, Siegel+Gale
Will Bosanko, Strategy Partner, Brandpie
9.35am-9.55am
Fireside chat: Customer service excellence
A fireside chat delving into what phenomenal customer experience looks like in an energy company and how reputation is an investable asset.
Interviewer: Dr Fridrik Larsen, Founder, CHARGE Energy Branding/brandr
DeAnna Hardwick, Executive Vice President, Customer Strategy, CPS Energy
10am-10.15am
Fireside chat: Transforming energy in the Turks and Caicos Islands
Ruth Forbes is on a mission to transform energy in the Turks and Caicos Islands, by reshaping her company’s purpose, vision, and employee experience, and focusing on innovation.
Interviewer: Dr Lawrence Jones, Senior Vice President, Edison Electric Institute
Ruth Forbes, President and CEO, FortisTCI
10.15am-10.45am
Networking coffee break
10.45m-11am
KEYNOTE: Ukraine spotlight: How do you best support your customers in a time of war?
Inspiring insights into how DTEK are working relentlessly to keep the lights on, motivate employees and reassure Ukrainians in these unprecedented times. DTEK are recent winners of the Leif Eriksson Award, presented by CHARGE, to recognise their resilience and dedication.
Diana Kladova, Head of Communications, DTEK Grids
11.05am-11.35am
Panel: What does the “Innovators Dilemma” mean for the energy companies of tomorrow?
How do you evaluate whether to invest in new and immature technologies? Is there a futuristic frame of reference?
If new technologies find new customers and new markets, which may in themselves be small and insignificant (now and in the future), could they mature enough to be interesting?
Moderator: J.D. Burrows, VP of Customer Engagement & Analytics, Engie
Matt Shamburger, Managing Principal, CAPCO
Sean Kelly, CEO, Amperon
Gu Yoon Chung, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Gridspertise
Allison Neves, Senior Director of Strategy and Growth Operations, Inspire Clean Energy
11.40am-12.45pm
Roundtables: Defining the value proposition for the technologies and energy models of the future
This future looking session presents some of the technologies, models and policies being piloted in North America and asks the CHARGE audience to work together to agree on:
Participate in an engaging breakout session delivered in the main conference room as we take in a key executive panel, roundtables then final concluding panel. Come away with new connections and actions.
Moderator: Young Kim, Principal, Energy Research Consulting Group
Michael Osowski, President, Gridmatic Retail
Jonathan Thompson (JT), Senior Vice President of Sales, Generac Grid Services
Tyler Lauw, Director of Demand Generation, Enchanted Rock
Gustav Beerel, Vice President Retail Services & Market Development, Customized Energy Solutions
Dominic Benadba, Global Marketing Manager, ESG Global
Patrick Smith, North America Managing Director, ESG Global
11.40am-12.45pm
12.55pm-1pm
It’s a wrap!
Highlights and conclusion from CHARGE 2023
Geoffrey Abraham and Greg Veerman, Co-hosts of the The Yonder Boys Podcast
1pm
Close of conference
Phone: +27 82 226 8553
info@charge.events
