Agenda

Renaissance Foyer

Renaissance Foyer

Pre-registration required | Check-in: Motor Lobby 7:00 AM - 8:45 AM

Tree Trimming Academy Tour | 7:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Capacity: 48
DTE Energy, in partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 17, opened a Detroit-based tree trimming academy in April 2021. The DTE | IBEW Tree Trim Academy offers an unparalleled, six-week Line Clearance Tree Trimming (LCTT) training program, equipping graduates with the career-readiness preparation, safety training and tree trimming skills needed to move into IBEW Local 17’s LCTT apprenticeship program pipeline. During this tour, class will be in session. Attendees will see the instruction in progress, which includes classroom instruction, an outdoor training course where students can practice tying knots and climbing trees, and actual trimming in partnership with the City of Detroit’s Rouge Park, where the city permits the use of 1,500 acres of forestry. In tandem with the City of Detroit’s Mayor’s Office and in collaboration with Focus:HOPE and Detroit at Work, the DTE/IBEW Tree Trim Academy inclusively recruits talent from Detroit and metro-Detroit’s diverse, eager workforce to fill the area’s ever-growing demand for Line Clearance Tree Trimmers.

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

Blue Water Energy Center (BWEC) Tour | 7:30 AM – 12:15 PM | Capacity: 22
Attendees will tour the newest DTE generating asset, the Blue Water Energy Center. Participants will see the equipment and operation up close and ask questions of the team members who are at the facility on a daily basis. The facility has 2 GE 7HA.02 combustion turbines, 2 GE/Alstom designed HRSGs, a single GE D602 steam turbine and a full Mark Vie control scheme. The site can start up in under nine minutes, ramp at 100MW/min and achieve a full load of 1,150MW.

Please note: long pants and work boots required. Tennis shoes will not be permitted. A hard hat, safety glasses, high visibility vest, and gloves will be provided. The tour will require walking and climbing stairs. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

Fermi II Nuclear Power Plant Tour | 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Capacity: 32
Take a behind-the-scenes look at a fully functional operating DTE Nuclear Power Plant. The tour begins in the Nuclear Training Center’s Auditorium with an overview presentation of how the plant works and a safety message regarding the tour. Attendees will then be split into groups to visit the Hi-Bays and the Simulator. The Hi-Bays are the maintenance hands-on training zones where mock-ups of actual plant equipment help the maintenance personnel conduct just-in-time training and training for first-in-a-while or first-time equipment conditions. The simulator is an exact replica of the actual control room and is where the operators conduct regular training. The tour will end with a visit to the cooling towers, with the option for attendees to walk the hot basin canopy (approximately 100’ high with incredible views).

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. Attendees will need to be physically fit to climb the stairs for the hot basin canopy portion of the tour. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

Training & Development Center (TDC) Tour | 7:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Capacity: 58
Attendees will travel to the DTE Training & Development Center and the tour will include a pole climbing demonstration, bucket truck rescue and a flow of electricity demonstration. The pole climbing demo will include watching a DTE employee ascending and descending a pole safely and putting line hose on an overhead conductor. The bucket truck rescue will demonstration all the steps required when rescuing an injured employee from a bucket truck. The flow of electricity demonstration will show the flow of electricity from the overhead conductor to the underground transformer to a residential house. It will require several volunteers to close overhead switches and operate underground equipment during the demonstration. The audience is both electric and natural gas utility attendees.

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. PPE is required and will be provided. The tour will be held inside/outside; inside is air-conditioned, but in a workspace with higher temperatures due to equipment. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

Golf Outing $40 | 8:30 AM Shotgun Start
The Energetic Women Conference Golf Outing is a 9-hole shotgun start at the Rouge Park Golf. Sandwich and beverages are included. Signing up for golf limits your ability to participate in a pre-conference tour. You may still attend a pre-conference session that afternoon. Club rentals are available for $50. No refunds will be given for cancellations. Transportation will be provided.

Solar Presentation Onsite at O’Shea Solar Park | 8:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Capacity: 28
The presentation will include an overview of the O’Shea solar array and battery energy storage system (BESS) (pending the completion of the BESS, scheduled for June 2022). The discussion will include the evolution of solar systems, pollinator initiatives, multi-faceted approach to siting, DTE’s journey to net zero, and the details surrounding O’Shea being a MI Green Power contributor.

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. A hard hat, safety glasses, and a high visibility vest will be provided. There is not a restroom available. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

DTE Laboratories (DELAB) Tour | 8:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Capacity: 28
DTE Laboratories has a long history of delivering value-added services to ensure the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of DTE assets. Established in 1913, DELAB is comprised of 18 distinct labs, dedicated to providing diverse analytical and technical services to DTE, and in 2019 the team moved into a new state-of-the-art facility. DELAB scientists, engineers, and technicians are experts in water chemistry, materials, regulatory compliance, lubrication, fuels, cathodic protection, and specialty testing. The various labs that our housed in this new facility test in areas such as water quality, emissions, oil, etc. to support key internal customers such as environmental, power plants, renewable energy, and distribution operations. These labs work with their internal customers to provide predictive maintenance data, troubleshooting assistance, or ensure regulatory compliance, among other things. Tour attendees will stop in some of the key labs and talk about what that team does and how they support their internal customers.

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. Safety glasses will be provided. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

Gas City Gate Rebuild Tour | 8:15 AM – 1:00 PM | Capacity: 23
Attendees will visit Consumers Energy’s Rochester City Gate rebuild, where gas pressure is regulated for safe delivery to homes and businesses. Attendees will learn about how a Gas City Gate operates, view construction methods on the site, learn how a regulator works, and learn about standards for City Gate construction.

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. PPE is required and will be provided. The tour will be held outside. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour. Lunch will not be provided, so please plan ahead.

System Operations ESOC Tour | 8:30 AM – 10:15 AM | Capacity: 28
The ESOC building is a state-of-the-art facility that houses our System Operations team who is responsible for monitoring the electrical grid. The team is comprised of system operators, dispatchers, and engineers, that work collaboratively, to ensure the reliability of the electrical grid.

Please note: long pants and closed-toed shoes required. No graphic t-shirts or baseball hats permitted. Registered participants will be notified of any COVID-19 restrictions one week prior to the tour.

Pre-registration required; space is limited

Calling 811! Differences Between Canada & US | Nicolet A & B
Damage prevention starts with a call or a click. 811 is the national call-before-you-dig number for professional excavators and homeowners. Is it the same for all areas? What happens after you call 811? Come listen to the panel to discuss what happens in a One Call Center and the differences between Canada and the US. It takes awareness, education and the locates combined to prevent overhead and underground damages – keeping our communities and the infrastructure safe.

Introduction into Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Criteria and Sustainability | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 1
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria are driving significant regulatory change and influencing business and investment decisions in all sectors and industries, from local governments and manufacturers to transportation and utilities. ESG and sustainability will be or already is a part of our daily operations as energy providers. This panel will not only provide real-world energy company sustainability/ESG planning approaches but will also shed some light on climate initiatives and carbon accounting.

Digital Transformation and the Utility Industry | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 2
Digital Transformation is a popular buzzword phrase in the utility sector. The future of the energy is digital. This session will highlight what utility and contractor companies are learning through their digital transformation efforts. Participants will gather lessons learned on agile techniques for innovative solutions, leadership engagement for sponsorship success, and business adoption for sustainability. Panel members will take questions from participants about their digital transformation journey after a brief introduction and sharing session.

Journey to Zero Incidents | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 3
In 2015, the American Petroleum Institute (API) published API RP 1173, the Pipeline Safety Management System Recommended Practice. Most recently in May 2019, AGA committed that all member companies will implement Safety Management System (SMS) within the next three years. This panel of three MEA members will share their unique journeys of SMS implementation, including the challenges and opportunities presented along the way. They will then host an insightful discussion from attendee’s experiences.

Leave It Better Than You Found It – Building Better Benefits Workshop | Richard A & B
Learn how a traditionally conservative Midwestern energy company expanded their benefits to be more inclusive of all family types and situations. This interactive session will walk through two employee led business cases: changing maternity leave of 6-8 weeks and paternity leave of 2 weeks to 6 months paid leave for the birthing parent and 4 months paid leave for the non-birthing parent and adding domestic partner benefits. Attendees will be encouraged to think through issues at their companies as we share our process to build better benefits for all.

Motor Lobby

Step into a world where past innovations fuel the imagination of generations to come. A vibrant exploration of genius in all its forms, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation allows you to experience the strides of America’s greatest minds while fully immersing yourself in their stories. Step inside the bus where Rosa Parks took a stand by taking a seat. Play pilot as you explore flight innovations, starting with the Wright brothers’ achievements, or make yourself at home inside Buckminster Fuller’s circular Dymaxion House. Put yourself in the place of all movers and shakers who blazed the trail to where we stand today.

Pre-registration required; space is limited | 42 Degrees North

Renaissance Ballroom

Renaissance Foyer

Check in at our self-serve kiosks to get your name badge and conference learning journal and bag.

Renaissance Ballroom

8:00 AM – 8:45 AM | Kickoff & Welcome

8:45 AM – 10:00 AM | Opening Keynote | The Hero Effect® | Kevin Brown
Kevin has a simple philosophy when it comes to leadership. He believes that you are “a leader of one or a leader of none.” He believes that leadership begins with mastering self along with the daily habits required to become world-class leaders, mentors and coaches to the teams we live and do business with. The foundation of this program can be summed up in one powerful idea…we reproduce what we are!

The role of leadership in an organization is to create an environment where people can be the best version of themselves.

The program is designed to help attendees:

• Create an environment where people are inspired to be the best version of themselves and deliver world-class performance to the people they serve.
• Develop a team of people that are committed, focused and on fire for the brand they are helping to build.
• Design and deliver an organizational obsession statement that drives high performance and a world-class customer experience.

More on Kevin Brown.

Renaissance Foyer

Stop & Shift; A Mental Exercise to Reset Your Mindset |  Ambassador Ballroom Salon 1
We all know that life is full of ups and downs. And not only is it hard to stay positive when the pressures of work and life are so demanding, it’s easy to get caught up in negative thoughts and emotions that swirl around in our minds. This can lead to poor decision-making and a general feeling of being out of control. What if you could train your brain to respond thoughtfully with care? Spoiler alert: you can.

Stress and setbacks make it tough to keep your head in the game. When the pressure is on, you need a go-to tool that can help you rise to all of life’s challenges. Stop & Shift is that tool. This mental training technique provides a new map for your mind so that you can make decisions from a place of strength instead of stress. Audiences and teams will learn how to:

• Build resilience and use hardships as launching pads for growth.
• Create space from negative thoughts and emotions so they can approach challenges with confidence and make productive decisions from a place of composure and clarity.
• Cultivate joy, inner peace, grit, and other mindful behaviors to prevent burnout.

Information on breakout speaker, Karen Allen.

Mastering the Art of Negotiation | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 3

Information on breakout speaker, Val Grubb.

168 Hours; Succeeding at Work and Life, 24-7 | Richard A & B
Ever wonder where the time really goes? In this talk, time management expert Laura Vanderkam discusses strategies for making the most of your time, both professionally and personally. Leave with practical tools for figuring out priorities, creating a smart schedule, embracing flexibility, and building in space—so you can feel less busy while getting more done. Laura will help you rethink how you spend your time within the priority categories of self, relationships, and career.

Information on breakout speaker, Laura Vanderkam.

Your Leadership Legacy | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 2
You will walk away from this session with equal parts inspiration and actionable tools. Prepare to understand your leadership opportunities, make informed decisions about your career path, and arm yourself with the skills to create your own leadership legacy — all to ensure that you make the impact you want to make through your everyday actions.

Information on breakout speaker, Jacqueline Baker.

Renaissance Ballroom

100% Human; 3 Guideposts for a Human-Centric Culture | Renaissance Ballroom
You’re probably familiar with the expression “people are your most important asset.” But what does that mean in practice? How do you create a workplace that supports employees’ well-being and growth? 100% Human is here to help. This session offers a roadmap for how to create a thriving workplace culture where your people flourish. Attendees will learn how to:

• Build an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and excited to contribute to a mission bigger than themselves.
• Cultivate a growth mindset to improve your communication, develop other members of your team, and build a culture of trust.
• Integrate wellness into your operating strategy without breaking the bank or sacrificing productivity.
• Empower your team so they feel valued as individuals and also deeply connected to the company mission.

Information on breakout speaker, Karen Allen.

Influencing Without Authority | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 3
Getting stuff done in the office can be challenging, even under the best of circumstances. Everyone has their own priorities and deadlines. And, to be successful, your projects may require assistance from employees who don’t work for you. Being able to influence people through communication, engagement, persuasion, and relationship-building is essential for the rising leader, particularly when leading organization-wide initiatives. In this highly interactive workshop, we’ll review strategies to help you ‘influence without authority’ for your projects and your career.

Information on breakout speaker, Val Grubb.

168 Hours; Succeeding at Work and Life, 24-7 | Richard A & B
Ever wonder where the time really goes? In this talk, time management expert Laura Vanderkam discusses strategies for making the most of your time, both professionally and personally. Leave with practical tools for figuring out priorities, creating a smart schedule, embracing flexibility, and building in space—so you can feel less busy while getting more done. Laura will help you rethink how you spend your time within the priority categories of self, relationships, and career.

Information on breakout speaker, Laura Vanderkam.

Working Across Different Work & Leadership Styles | Ambassador Ballroom Salon 2
In support of an ever-changing work world, it is essential that you are tooled with the skills and confidence-building techniques to work across multiple work styles, personalities, and leadership approaches. You will leave this session prepared to embrace and elevate your approach and commitment to being an impactful and memorable leader, intentionally.

Information on breakout speaker, Jacqueline Baker.

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Renaissance Ballroom

Offense is an event. Staying offended is a choice. When we don’t deal with it in the workplace, it impacts our productivity and our ability to connect with our colleagues.