More than 100 industry professionals with an interest in:

 

·Marketing

·Communication

·Energy services

·Renewables

 

These attendees, a diverse group from the staff, management, and board⁄commission levels in their utility, look to the NIC for current, relevant educational sessions and valuable opportunities to network with industry colleagues. 

Attend the NWPPA Northwest Innovations Conference (NIC) to take advantage of:

·A variety of educational sessions, including tracks for Marketing⁄Communication and Energy Efficiency.

·Networking opportunities, both formal (roundtable discussions) and informal (recreational activities on Sunday)

·Displays and information from conference sponsors

·Presentation of the 2007 NWPPA Excellence in Communication awards

The setting for this year's conference is Sun Valley, Idaho, one of the nation's most storied resorts. Newly renovated throughout, the Sun Valley resort's blend of old and new will be the perfect complement to this year's conference theme, Visionary Past, Innovative Future.

The NIC also features the annual presentation of the Excellence in Communication awards. In less than a decade, this awards program grew to be the second largest of its kind. It has become well-known for its recognition of the best utility communication and marketing efforts from throughout the West.

 

Please review the agenda below and check this page frequently for updated speaker information.  We think you'll agree that the NIC is a "can't miss" event for NWPPA members.

 

Each of the conference sessions are planned by this team of dedicated volunteers, representing a variety of NWPPA member utilities from throughout the West.

Van Ashton, Idaho Falls (Idaho) Power

Larry Bryant, Kootenai Electric Coop, Hayden, Idaho

Theresa Boucher, Lassen MUD, Susanville, Calif.

Jennifer Carter, WSU Extension Energy Program, Olympia, Wash.

Dave D'Avanzo, Lane Electric Cooperative, Eugene, Ore.

Kevann Elletson, Hill County Electric Cooperative, Havre, Mont.

Terry Kelly, Salem Electric, Ore.

Teresa Lackey, Midstate Electric Coop, La Pine, Ore.

Joel Myer, Mason County PUD #3, Shelton, Wash.

Lena Wittler, Clark Public Utilities, Vancouver, Wash.

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For those of you arriving in Sun Valley for the weekend, a number of informal recreational activities are being planned for Sunday. To sign-up for any of these activities, please contact Barry Fuchs at (360) 254-0109 or barry@nwppa.org.

Although NWPPA is not collecting money for these events, they will each require additional costs. Fees can be paid directly to the facility or concessionaire.

Carpools will be coordinated for all events.

Join Todd Munsey, Douglas Electric Co-op, for a lot of fun with a little golf thrown in. Bigwood is a challenging, yet friendly 9-hole course that will be appreciated by serious and casual golfers alike. Cost is $68 for 18 holes and $18 per cart ⁄ per person if you decide to rent one. A scramble format is planned, but will depend on the number of participants. Regardless, prizes will be included and you may win bragging rights throughout the entire conference. This will be a gorgeous fall day on the golf course…even if the best part of your game is driving the cart, we need you!

 

Ketchum and Hailey, Idaho are small towns with shopping that would make lots of city dwellers jealous. Explore the variety of shopping, from affordable to not-very-affordable-at-all, along with a relaxing lunch. Kev Elletson-Campbell of Hill County Electric will be your guide.

Join Barry Fuchs of NWPPA for a (somewhat) challenging day hike, hopefully within the Sawtooth National Recreational Area. We'll aim for a 4-mile round trip and about 1,000 ft of elevation gain. Good boots or shoes and water bottles will be a must.

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5:30

If this is your first NIC ever, or just your first in a few years, plan to attend this early reception to connect with fellow attendees and members of the conference planning committee.

6:00

Weather permitting, and it usually permits in Sun Valley, we'll be out on the patio for this event, which is a time for all attendees to meet up with colleagues from around the region and make plans to learn and network during the next few days. Refreshments and light hors d'oeuvres will be served.

6:30-7:30 A

Early birds are invited to come along on this moderately-paced 2-3 mile walk in and around the Sun Valley Resort.

7:30 - 4:30 P

7:30 - 8:30 A

Please take a moment to visit the sponsors at their display tables and thank them for their support of the NIC.

8:30 - 10 A

 "

Never Give Up, Never Stop Trying: 7 Points To Success"  

At the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, a determined Wyoming farm boy defeated the greatest Olympic wrestler of all time in "The Miracle on the Mat." Four years later, after a near fatal accident in the frozen Wyoming wilderness, a tearful Rulon Gardner touched the hearts of sports fans everywhere when he left his shoes on the mat, symbolizing his retirement after winning an Olympic Bronze. A modern-day Paul Bunyan who grew up on his Mormon family's dairy farm, Gardner found success in wrestling, which allowed him to pursue his college degree and instilled in him the confidence and drive that took him to the center of world sport.

Having now survived another potentially fatal accident earlier this year, Rulon will share stories of his personal experiences to illustrate how persistence leads to success:

1.Go Back To The Basics

2.Turn The Negatives Into Positives

3.Aim High When You're Feeling Low

4.Enlist Others

5.Train Hard

6.Take Care Of Business

7.Don't Rest On Your Laurels

10 - 10:30 A

Sponsor display tables open

10:30 - Noon

Choose one of the following two topics:

The Greening of Business

Conventional wisdom used to say that larger volume consumers, particularly commercial and industrial customers, wouldn't pay a premium for green power. However, the market is changing as businesses realize that many customers expect them to demonstrate environmental responsibility and, more importantly, they are often willing to pay more to see results. This session presents a unique opportunity, as the speakers will share tips for targeting individual consumers (your residential customers), while also explaining how utilities can best approach business customers that may be interested in green power. Learn how to target your green marketing effort to these customer classes and discover what's important to each of them. You'll also walk away with creative ways that you can partner with businesses to get the sustainability message out. Get ideas from two prominent businesses that have committed to purchasing 100 percent wind power - and learn what other utilities are doing to promote green power.

Built-in Efficiency: Energy Star Homes

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn about the Energy Star New Homes Program, with advice on how and why you should consider implementing the program at your utility. Three different presenters -  a program manager, an award-winning builder, and a home performance specialist - will offer their insights into the program and advice on how utilities can successfully work with building professionals. The Energy Star program is eligible for BPA Energy Efficiency program credits and can play a big part in meeting program target levels.

Noon - 1:30 P

Sponsor display tables open

1:30 - 2:45 P

Media Panel (via Videoconference)

This popular NIC session makes a return, but with a twist: this year's panelists are slated to appear via videoconference. Through this technology, journalists from the Northwest will be able to participate in the conference, without the need to travel to our remote Sun Valley location. (This is new technology, however, so the session format is subject to change.)

2:45 - 3:15 P

Sponsor display tables open

3:15 - 4:30 P

Choose one of the following two topics:

Leveraging Today's Generational Diversity

For the first time in history, we have four distinctly different generations in our workforce and among our customers⁄members. Hear about the distinguishing traits of each of the four generations: Traditionalists, Boomers, GenXers and Millennials. Explore the challenges and opportunities this unique period in time offers to managers and marketers. Discover the three things all of the generations share in common. And, learn how to apply this knowledge in creating cohesive teams in your organization; managing inter-generational conflict; and marketing your products and services.

Lighting: Advances in Technology and Design

Lighting continues to advance in all aspects, from bulb design to improved daylighting. This diverse panel will highlight developments across the spectrum of lighting, including dimming improvements, socket conversion, new applications for LED lighting, and architectural lighting. An update on EnergyStar lighting products will also be included.

4:30 - 5 P

Door Prize at 4:45

6:30-7:30 A

A moderately-paced 2-3 mile walk in and around the Sun Valley Resort area.

7:30 - 3 P

7:30 - 8:30 A

8:30 - 9:45 A

Storm and Disaster Recovery

Whether it's difficult terrain, a natural disaster, a weather issue or a communication challenge, utilities are faced with a variety of hurdles in keeping the power on and the information flowing. These speakers will address some obstacles they have faced that may be unique or perhaps you've had a similar experience. Either way, you will come away with some useful information.

9:45 - 10:15

Sponsor display tables open

10:15 - Noon

These sessions are your opportunity to talk about the problems, solutions and issues that are important to you and your utility. Participants will have a choice of discussion rooms, based on the popular "I am a Resource" discussions that were started at last year's conference.

Noon - 1:15 P

Sponsor display tables open

1:15 - 2:45 P

Electronic Communication: On the Web and In Your Hands

With the variety of technologies available today, the term "electronic communication" is almost overwhelming. This session will hone in on two categories, websites and handheld devices. In the first presentation, you'll find out "What Makes a Great Website," featuring discussion and demonstration of proven practices that make a website not only pay for itself, but actually reduce operating costs. Using examples from public power utilities, you'll see samples of sign-up forms, job info, and interactive content versus static brochures. Next, explore the proliferation of handheld devices, with a specific look at how utilities are using them for applications such as customer⁄member communication, contact with key accounts, and handling emergency outages.

2:45 - 3:15 P

Door Prize at 3 P

This is the last time to view the sponsor displays

5:30 - 9 P

On the last night of the conference, we gather to celebrate the best marketing and communication that our industry has to offer. Join your fellow attendees and award winners for drinks, dinner, the awards presentation, and entertainment.

6:30-7:30 A

A moderately-paced 2-3 mile walk in and around the Sun Valley Resort area.

7:30 - 10 A

7:30 - 8:30 A

8:30 - 9:45 A

Is Green Power Good for Business? The Wal-Mart Story

Wal-Mart is the world's largest corporation and the largest customer for electric cooperatives. Wal-Mart is making commitments to buy green power while more and more electric cooperatives are offering renewable energy programs. Learn about the immediate and long-term promise, prospects and challenges of renewable energy, what it means to your retail customers and how Wal-Mart considers green power a "virtual gold mine".

9:45 - 10 A

10 - 11:30 A

Utility Marketing and Communication - Conservation Then and Now

It is no doubt that we are in the business of selling electricity.  We still want to sell it, but our mantra is to sell it efficiently. For more than 25 years we have promoted the efficient use of electricity through our conservation activities and now more that ever it is part of our overall mission. This marketing and communication session will take us from the 70's and 80's era of conservation to where we are today. Examples of conservation marketing and communication materials for this session are being provided by you and your peers.  This will make this an electrifying and interactive event.

11:30 - 11:45 A

Conference adjourns by 11:45

Noon - 5 P

If you are in charge of making decisions regarding your company's website, you won't want to miss this informative hands-on session from Apogee Interactive, Inc., an NWPPA associate member and leading provider of online solutions for the utility industry. Take this opportunity to learn how to make your website a great website, while increasing customer satisfaction and reducing operating costs. The following topics will be featured:

·Personal Website Review

·Writing for the Web

·Promoting Your Website

·Web Analytics

·Website Operation and Management Techniques

An additional registration fee of $100 is required for this event. Lunch and refreshments are included.

Sun Valley, Idaho

(800) 786-8259

Sun Valley is located in central Idaho, approximately 3 hours from Boise. Air travel is available via two airports:

Hailey, Idaho (SUN): The local airport at Sun Valley is served by Alaska⁄Horizon (1 flight daily via Seattle) or Delta Airlines (11 flights daily via Salt Lake City)

Boise, Idaho (BOI): Well-served by major airlines, with non-stop flights from all major Northwest and Western cities, plus many national destinations.

You may wish to coordinate your flights with fellow attendees and share a rental car from Boise.

Please download this hotel reservation form to book your sleeping room.

The hotel rooms at Sun Valley Resort are all recently renovated and very high quality. Members of the conference planning committee toured the resort in April and were very impressed with the overall quality of the facilities, from meeting space, to hotel rooms, to the shops and restaurants. We're confident that you'll be impressed by Sun Valley.

Most attendees find business casual to be most comfortable attire for the NIC. You'll also want to pack clothing to enjoy the outdoors and recreational activities after the conference sessions. Sun Valley experiences an average high of 73 degrees in September, with cool nights. The chance of rain is low; on average, less than one inch falls during the entire month.

Apogee Interactive

Convectair Inc.

EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse

Fluid Market Strategies

GeoPowering the West

Goldstreet Design Agency

Marathon Water Heaters

Milsoft Utility Solutions

Moore Syndication

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

Northwest RiverPartners

NRTC

Wind Powering America