U2030, Oracle, and InvoiceCloud have teamed up to deliver the inaugural 2024 Futures Thinking Masterclass, "The Future of Service." Taking place at the inspiring Oracle Innovation Lab in Deerfield, IL, on June 4-5, 2024, this intimate gathering will bring together 40 industry leaders to envision the future of utility services at the intersection of utility customers and operations. Community and industry leaders will set the stage with insightful keynotes and a panel discussion, offering perspectives on the current landscape of utility service and emerging trends shaping their future. Futures Thinking leaders from Oracle will guide participants in envisioning the future of utility service and co-creating solutions. Don’t miss this dynamic exchange of ideas and insights that will shape the trajectory of the industry.
This masterclass is designed for utility professionals from customer and operations-focused departments and individuals specializing in innovation and transformation.
Because it is limited to 40 participants, it is a “by invite-only” opportunity for U2030 Members, other North American utility company employees, and companies in Oracle's partner network. To request an invitation, please email Mike Smith at [email protected].
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Hosted Happy Hour – Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant (walking distance from hotel)
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM – Introductions & Welcome
-Vanessa Edmonds, Executive Director, U2030 & Christina Corcoran, COO, U2030
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM – Equity & Inclusion in California’s Energy Transition: Commitments by PG&E & Stakeholders
-Ahmad Ababneh, Vice President of Transmission & Substation Operations, PG&E
9:45 AM – 10:15 PM – Building a Greener Future: Mayor Shapiro’s Strategies for Sustainable Services
– Daniel Shapiro, Mayor, Village of Deerfield, IL
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM – Fireside Chat: Collaborative Waters: Building Partnerships for a Sustainable Utility Future
-David Kohn, Deputy Commissioner of Regional Partnerships, City of Chicago Department of Water Management
-John Bitzan, Application Sales Manager, Oracle
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM – Break
11:15 PM – 12:15 PM – Ignite Talks: Enlighten Us but Make it Quick Experience dynamic and fast-paced Ignite Talks where speakers each have 5 minutes and 20 visual slides to deliver impactful insights on key topics shaping the Future of Utility Service.
-Shawn Adderly, Senior Manager, PG&E
-Valerie Williams, Senior Manager, Liberty
-Paul Applegate, Vice President, InvoiceCloud
-Mike Smith, Principal, U2030
12:15 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM –Fireside Chat: BGE’s Holistic Approach Reshaping Utility Services to Reach At-Risk Customers & Beyond
-Ajit Apte, Vice President of Customer Operations, BGE
1:45 pm – 2:45 PM – Utility Townhall: Current and Upcoming Projects
Join cross-company utility employees who will convene in roundtable breakouts to explore the Future of Service, sharing insights, challenges, and collaborative solutions for advancing their projects.
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM – Oracle Industry Lab Tours (3 groups)
Embark on an exciting journey through the Oracle’s Industry Lab, where innovative test beds are incubating solutions to address intricate challenges across diverse industries, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into the future of technology and business in these areas:
-Future of Customer Service
-Future of Operations
-Future of Assets
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM – Break
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Afternoon Keynote: Navigating the New Utility Frontier: Leveraging Technology to Improve Service Delivery at NiSource
-Fred Gomos, Director of Strategy & Risk Integration, NiSource
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Hosted Dinner – Saranello’s (located in The Westin Chicago Northshore Hotel)
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Breakfast
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM – Wednesday Welcome
-Ahmad Ababneh, Vice President of Transmission & Substation Operations, PG&E
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM – Futures Thinking Introduction & Training Segment
1) Futures Thinking Unveiled
2) Why Our Industry Needs Futures Thinking
3) Signals and Drivers
-Jod Kaftan, Head of Product Design & Research, Infrastructure Industries, Oracle
-Kim Grego, Senior Marketing Manager, Oracle Energy & Water
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM – Break
10:15 AM – 11:30 AM PM – Futures Thinking Solutioning Segment
-Jod Kaftan, Head of Product Design & Research, Infrastructure Industries, Oracle
-Kim Grego, Senior Marketing Manager, Oracle Energy & Water
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM – Futures Thinking Group Presentations
12:15 AM – 1:00 PM – Silent Voting & Lunch
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM – Futures Thinking: Awards Ceremony
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM – Closing Session: How to Take Your Solutions Back to Your Company & Next Steps
-Ahmad Ababneh, Vice President of Transmission & Substation Operations, PG&E
-Jod Kaftan, Head of Product Design & Research, Infrastructure Industries, Oracle
-Kim Grego, Senior Marketing Manager, Oracle Energy & Water
-Vanessa Edmonds, Executive Director, U2030
Not sure if you’re a member? Email Mike Smith at [email protected] to find out.
Hotel Information
The Westin Chicago North Shore, a Marriot Property
Address: 601 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, IL 60090
Room Rate: $189/night – Expires May 3, 2024
Room Block Link: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1704471596532&key=GRP&app=resvlink
W: Microsoft Bing Travel – The Westin Chicago North Shore
P: 847.777.6500