While much of the country was hunkered down for winter storms, the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) was buzzing with energy. On January 26–27, OUC hosted the Utility Change Conference an event produced by Conferences Connect and UtilityEvents.com that didn’t just sell out; it sparked a vital conversation about where our industry is headed.
Beyond the “Hotel Ballroom” Experience
There’s a different kind of energy when utility professionals meet on-site rather than in a generic hotel conference space. Hosting the event at OUC’s downtown Orlando headquarters changed the entire vibe. Being in the heart of a functioning utility added a layer of practical urgency and camaraderie that you just can’t replicate at a resort.
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AI: The Great Equalizer
In the sessions covering disruption and automation, a shared sense of humility emerged. Despite the constant headlines, the consensus was refreshing: “We’re all at different stages of the AI journey, and we all feel like we’re just getting started.”*
This realization turned the “Age of AI” discussions into a massive collaborative brainstorm. Whether the topic was managing $2B grid reinforcement portfolios or improving employee retention, the focus stayed on Change Intelligence (CQ®) the human element required to lead people through these tech shifts.
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Real Connections, Real Solutions
With representatives from over 25 utilities, the event perfectly balanced high-level strategy with genuine networking. Attendees navigated travel hurdles and hybrid schedules to show up and share insights. After a full day of sessions, the group headed to the WXYZ Lounge, where the formal talk shifted into the kind of honest, peer-to-peer problem-solving that happens best over a drink.
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What’s Next?
If you couldn’t make it to Orlando, the conversation is far from over. We’re already planning our next round of change management events for the utility sector. Stay tuned for details!
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