Agenda
APPA Public Communications Committee
Spring Issues Roundtable
APPA Office
2451 Crystal Dr. Suite 1000
Arlington, VA 22202
Monday, April 11, 2016
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
1. Welcome and Introductions - 8:30-9 a.m.
Meena Dayak, APPA Vice President of Integrated Media and Communications
Mollie Gore, Public Communications Committee Chair and Corporate Communications Manager at Santee Cooper in Moncks Corner, South Carolina
Tony Benson, Public Communications Committee Vice Chair and Communications Coordinator at Rochester Public Utilities, Minnesota
2.Regulatory Update – 9-9:30 a.m.
Joe Nipper, APPA Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Communications
Get an update on regulator action—particularly the status of environmental regulations coming out of the Environmental Protection Agency.
3.Legislative Update – 9:30-10 a.m.
Desmarie Waterhouse, APPASenior Government Relations Director and Counsel
Get an update on major public power government relations initiatives such asa comprehensive energy bill, tax-exempt financing, distributed energy resources, grid security, and more.
4.Distributed Energy Resources – 10-10:45 a.m.
The proliferation of distributed generation presents challenges and opportunities for public power utilities. Find out what’s new when it comes to roof-top solar, net metering, and community solar.
5.Grid Security – 10:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Cyber and physical preparedness continues to be top-of-mind for electric utility personnel, policymakers, and the news media. In this session we will talk about how communicators can have a hand in preparing for local or national events.
- Community Events: What works? – 11:30-12:15 p.m.
Public power utilities are uniquely positioned to be active members of the community. Joining in on an existing community event (or putting one together from scratch) can be a great way to disseminate messages as well as endear the utility to the community it serves. In this session, attendees will discuss best practices and share success stories.
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Agenda
APPA Public Communications Committee
Spring Issues Roundtable
Monday, April 11, 2016
Page 2
- Lunch/Open Discussion–12:15–1:15 p.m.
8.Measuring Customer Satisfaction/Surveys – 1:15-2 p.m.
Without reaching out to your customers to get their feedback, you can only assume you are doing a fantastic job. And you know what happens to those who assume. This session will take a look at how utilities measure their success—whether its partnering with programs such as J.D. Power or developing their own instruments. APPA will also discuss the results of their national public power customer survey.
- Demand-Side Management Messaging Best Practices – 2-2:45 p.m.
Customers want to save energy and money. Whether you are reaching out to them offering energy efficiency tips, demand response programs, or energy audits, you need to meet them where they are. How can utilities leverage social media and other messaging channels to get these essential messages out to customers?
10.Roundtable Discussion/Group Therapy – 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Attendees will have an opportunity to discuss (in a “safe place”) the hot topics in their respective communities. What’s taking up your time these days? What’s getting your goat? What are your customers asking for?
11.Discussion of Wish List for 2016 Customer Connections Conference –3:45-4:30 p.m.
Attendees will have the chance to recommend topics and even speakers for the 2015 Customer Connections Conference.
12.Adjourn – 4:30 p.m.
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