Great conversations, fresh ideas, new technology, and a little Mile High City magic. Here's why Denver should be on your calendar this November.

On November 17–18, 2026, the CEATI Transmission & Distribution Conference is heading to Denver, Colorado, for two days packed with practical insights, innovative technology, and opportunities to connect with the people shaping the future of the grid.

Whether you're a longtime CEATI member, a first-time attendee, or somewhere in between, there's plenty to look forward to.

Here are five reasons you won't want to miss it.

1. Meet the People Who Get It

Some of the best conference conversations start with a simple question: "How is your utility handling this?"

At the CEATI T&D Conference, you'll be surrounded by people tackling many of the same challenges you are, from aging infrastructure and increasing demand to grid resilience, new technologies, and workforce development.

With over 600 utility professionals expected and a conference audience made up of more than 60% utility representatives, you'll have plenty of opportunities to swap ideas, compare approaches, and learn from people who understand the realities of working at a power utility.

We're talking about finding someone who's already dealt with the challenge on your desk.

After all, sometimes the most valuable conference takeaway is a new contact in your phone.

2. Find Answers to the Challenges You're Actually Facing

Big ideas are great. But what about the ones you can take back to your team and put to work?

That's what CEATI's technical sessions are all about.

This year's conference program tackles the challenges keeping utility professionals busy, with sessions covering grid reliability and resilience, asset management, system operations, vegetation management, safety, and emerging technologies.

Want a sneak peek at what's on the agenda?

  • Planning for a changing grid: Hear from EPCOR about incorporating electrification trends and climate resilience into transmission and distribution capacity planning.
  • Rethinking vegetation management: Discover how LiDAR, AI-driven reporting, and network mapping can help utilities better understand and manage vegetation risks.
  • Getting more from line ratings: Explore how independent weather data can help utilities validate dynamic line ratings rather than relying on a black box.
  • Strengthening infrastructure resilience: Dig into topics such as extreme weather risks, pole material decisions, cable failures, and substation design.

And that's just a sample.

With technical presentations, case studies, and a dedicated poster session, you'll get a closer look at the approaches, lessons learned, and solutions being explored across the industry.

The goal? Leave with more than a notebook full of ideas. Leave with something useful to bring back to work on Monday.

Explore the Conference Program

3. Get Up Close with the Latest Technology

There's a difference between hearing about a new technology and seeing what it can actually do.

At CEATI's Transmission & Distribution Conference, you'll have opportunities to explore solutions firsthand, ask questions, and connect directly with the companies developing them.

The exhibit hall brings together technology providers, equipment manufacturers, and service partners working across the power delivery industry. Whether you're actively evaluating a solution or simply curious about what's new, it's a chance to see what's out there.

And don't miss the live tech demos.

This year, Arkion will showcase AI-driven grid intelligence, while Senpilot will explore how to build and deploy an on-premises AI system. Plus don't miss demos from Mitsubishi Electric, Grid Raven, Skydio, and Overstory.

This is your chance to see cutting-edge technology in action.

4. Make Connections That Move Your Career Forward

The future of the power industry isn't just about infrastructure and technology. It's about people.

This year, we're bringing leadership and career development into the spotlight with our keynote panel, "Leading Change and Developing the Next Generation of Utility Leaders."

Join Mazana Armstrong of IEEE PES, Lindsay Melvin of Manitoba Hydro, and Shana Kuhn of Bonneville Power Administration for a conversation about leading through change, empowering employees, and preparing the next generation of utility leaders.

But the conversation doesn't stop on the main stage.

Our Young Professionals and Women in Power networking breakfasts offer opportunities to meet new people, share experiences, and build connections in a more relaxed setting.

At the Women in Power Breakfast, attendees can also look forward to an informal panel and Q&A exploring the experiences, career journeys, and perspectives of women working across the power industry.

Whether you're just starting your career, stepping into a leadership role, or looking to connect with professionals beyond your usual circle, there's a place for you in the conversation.

Come for the insights. Stay for the connections.

5. Make the Most of Your Time in the Mile High City

A great conference deserves a great host city, and Denver certainly delivers.

When you're not attending sessions or catching up with industry peers, take some time to explore everything Colorado's capital has to offer.

Grab a coffee or bite to eat at Denver Union Station, explore the restaurants and historic architecture around Larimer Square, or discover one of the city's many craft breweries.

And yes, you should probably make time for a photo with Denver's famous giant Blue Bear peeking into the Colorado Convention Center, right around the corner from our hotel.

Looking to make your trip even more worthwhile?

Alongside the conference, CEATI is hosting member general meetings and in-person workshops, giving eligible participants opportunities for more focused technical discussions, peer collaboration, and learning.

It's a chance to connect with your CEATI community, work through industry challenges together, and get even more value from your trip.

Plus, conference attendees have opportunities to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours along the way.

A little professional development, a lot of good conversations, and some time to explore Denver? Sounds like a pretty good trip to us.

See You in Denver!

Two days. Hundreds of industry peers. Plenty of new ideas, practical takeaways, and opportunities to connect.

Whether you're coming to find a solution to a technical challenge, explore new technology, expand your professional network, or simply learn something new, the CEATI Transmission & Distribution Conference has something for you.

And with November 17–18 just around the corner, there's still time to be part of it.

Ready to join us?

Explore the Conference and Register Today

‍