Boston, MA, United States — June 22, 2026 — Over 1,200 utility CEOs, senior executives, and policymakers are set to convene in Boston this week for the APPA National Conference & Public Power Expo, beginning June 26. This gathering will bring together leaders from community-owned electric utilities across the United States to address evolving policies, emerging technologies, and strategies for a resilient energy future.
Public Power's Annual Convergence
Recognized as a premier annual gathering for the public power community, the APPA National Conference & Public Power Expo provides a vital platform for experience sharing, innovation, and leadership development. The event is scheduled to host more than 100 vendors and partners within its Industry Innovations Expo. While specific historical attendance figures are not detailed, the consistent participation of over 1,200 decision-makers underscores its significance for those involved in community-owned electric utilities.
The American Public Power Association's Mandate
The American Public Power Association (APPA), established in 1940, is the primary organizer of this event. APPA serves as the national voice for not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities, representing approximately 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. Its mission focuses on empowering these utilities to deliver reliable electricity at a reasonable price, while also protecting the environment. APPA advises on electricity policy, grid technology, operations, and workforce development, advocating for its members' interests before the federal government.
Addressing Critical Energy Sectors
The conference agenda will feature over 40 educational sessions across multiple tracks, delving into two core exhibit sectors. The first, Energy Infrastructure & Grid Modernization, will cover technologies for developing and enhancing public power infrastructure. This includes smart grid solutions, renewable energy integration, energy storage systems, advanced distribution management systems, and cybersecurity solutions for operational technology. The second sector, Utility Management & Policy Solutions, will focus on operational, financial, and strategic aspects of utility management. Discussions will include software for utility management, customer service platforms, financial planning tools, and consulting services for policy analysis and compliance, addressing challenges like data center load growth and emergency response planning.
Concurrent high-end forums will explore topics such as lessons in resilience and emergency response, insights into today's gas market, and the opportunities and challenges presented by data center load growth. Other sessions will examine the fundamentals of the evolving power grid, the intersection of energy and AI policy, and electric utility industry foundations and trends.
The APPA National Conference & Public Power Expo offers access to a concentrated audience of utility general managers, CEOs, senior managers, and policymakers. For further details and registration, interested parties may visit https://www.publicpower.org/event/national-conference.