Smart Grid Summits

Past Attendees' Testimonials

Nothing says more about the success of the SGS format than the people attending the event. From speakers to vendors to industry professionals, they all use high praise in describing what they liked about the event and why they will be back again. Here are just a few of their comments:

"For two years the SGS team pursued Milsoft to participate in the Smart Grid Summits. It took so long to participate because frankly I just didn't believe that they could and would produce the business development focused event and opportunity that they promised. Long story short... THEY DELIVERED! They exceeded our expectations and I'm a believer. It was an amazing event, worth every penny and then some."

- Brian Carr, VP Sales and Marketing, Milsoft Utility Solutions

"The Municipal and Rural Smart Grid Summits are valued and fantastic events for AT&T. Nowhere else have we been able to reach and develop business with such a targeted and qualified number of U.S. utility decision makers. Our partnership with the MSGS & RSGS team has been immensely valuable and produced measurable results for us. The manner in which these summits are run is very unique and they provide the highest level of feedback that we have ever received from any conference. I strongly recommend that any smart grid technology company invest in participating in the MSGS and/or RSGS events."

- Rita Mix, Lead Marketing Manager, Utilities, AT&T

"I don't know of any other place where I can have this much information available in such a short period of time." We can have access to the information on our terms, we have this action packed straight from a fire hose experience in the boardrooms, but it's only a short period of time. Our time is our most valuable commodity and this is the most efficient use of my time that I have experienced at a trade show."

- Herschel Arant, VP of Engineering Services, Central Georgia EMC

"The MSGS provided MeterSense the near perfect forum for sharing our value message with the right people that were focused on what we offered. The results speak for themselves - 80% of the utilities in our presentations wanted follow on meetings and in-depth demos. This is absolutely the best ROI of marketing dollars we have seen. The right place, the right message, the right people, and the right results."

- Ken Hayes, Vice President - Sales, MeterSense

"The Municipal Smart Grid Summit boardroom format eliminated all the chit-chat, do-nothing stuff you normally get and made the vendors get down to the nuts and bolts of what they were presenting. "The small group/boardroom sizes of 10 utility executives lead to more genuine and personalized responses from each of the vendors. It wasn't rehearsed like they normally are in larger group settings." When asked: For Municipals that passed on the opportunity- You blew it! You should have been here."

- Guy Chang, Electricity Meter Manager, Spanish Fork City

"This is the best format of any of the events that we have attended over the last few years. It shows a great understanding of the space, and being able to sit down and meet and talk with the delegates one-on-one, have dedicated time with them, and follow up during the networking events. These will probably be the only events that we do for the next couple of years. There really is no reason to go anywhere else."

- Eric Nelson, Managing Principal, Synaptitude Consulting

"I have over 20 years of electric cooperative experience, and the Smart Grid Summits have been the most productive and well executed events I have ever attended. The opportunity to interact with multiple vendors and gather real information in a non-sales environment, as well as the collaboration with other utility executives has proved to be a valuable use of my time."

- John Knox, CEO, KEM Electric Cooperative

"The format of this event, combined with the depth and breadth of the attendees, offered GE a unique opportunity to gain valuable and direct insights from leaders and decision makers that will allow us to create solutions for this key utility segment."

- Mike Carlson, General Manager, Smart Grid Solutions for GE's Digital Energy business

"This is my first time attending the show. It's very informative, I have enjoyed the interaction with other peers and vendors. Collectively we have brought a lot of ideas to the table, and I hope to carry a lot of those ideas back home and implement them with key staff and upper management."

- Ed Oldham, Manager of Engineering, Central Electric Membership Corporation

"I have been to many events and conferences in my business career and without exception; the 2011 Municipal Smart Grid Summit was one of the most productive events I have attended. In a market where an 18 month sales cycle is typical, our ROI from attending the MSGS was apparent right away. The boardroom format, the absolute professionalism of their seasoned team and the production of a first class, fun event sets the MSGS high above others."

- Gavin McFarlane, National Sales Director - Energy Automation Solutions, Cooper Power Systems

"The Municipal Smart Grid Summit was by far the best show I have ever attended"

- Don Hollingsworth, General Manager, Holly Springs Utility Department

"The quality of the audience at the 2011 Municipal Smart Grid Summit has been excellent. It's been a way for us to have face time with utility executives that are genuinely interested in what's going on in our space. We modified our presentations to make them more interactive to promote dialogue. The boardroom sessions were great and the follow up after allowed people to talk more specifically about their opportunities. We have generated five to ten quality opportunities from MSGS that would normally take a lot of time, numerous meetings and a lot of other expenses to identify these opportunities with city owned utilities. We will definitely be back."

- Todd Barlow, VP/Operations, UtiliWorks

"This event has been great for small cities like ours to learn about different technologies that are available for our municipal. We are getting ready to look at different smart grid applications and I wish I had this opportunity earlier before going into our budget session."

- Harold Thompson, Mayor, City of Union

"I really enjoyed the format of the Municipal Smart Grid Summit. The unique venue brought together providers and municipalities around a common mission - how to deploy towards a smart grid vision. Unlike other conferences where vendors are on the sidelines, the MSGS aligns the interests of all parties making the time very worthwhile for all."

- Diane Beauchamp, Director - Municipal Solutions, Honeywell International

"This has been the most jam packed event that I have ever attended. If you have any interest in Smart Grid, you need to attend one of these shows. This is where you will learn what you need to know."

- Leon Daggett, Power & Light Director, Independence Power & Light

"We feel the Municipal Smart Grid Summit format provided the precise level of activity and access we have been looking for in industry events. The one on one time and instant feedback from the participants made this and unequivocal success."

- Brian Crow, PE VP Sales & Business Development, Verdeeco

"This is my 3rd event, and I have made it a point to talk with both the guest and vendors and have received very positive feedback from all quarters. I'm looking for ways to improve the event, and I'm not getting many suggestions, so I think that says there is a lot of satisfaction out there from both parties."

- Howard Scarboro, Consultant, Central Virginia Electric Cooperative

"This is our third time attending the summits. It's a great opportunity to talk to a number of customers. We have been very lucky in terms of our product and our solutions generating a lot of interest. We received numerous leads from the municipal smart grid summit and we're seeing the same interest at the 2011 RSGS." We love it, it's great, and we get to do a lot of networking with other vendors as an added plus."

- Jack Winter, Sr. Principal, West Monroe Partners

"The Municipal Smart Grid Summit experience was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone. Also there was no out of pocket expense for anything. Let me know if I can help out in any way. I would also be delighted to attend the next summit in San Diego. Thank you."

- David White, City of Claremore Electric

"The Municipal Smart Grid Summit provides a unique and valuable opportunity to interact 1 on 1 with decision makers for municipal utilities. The format for the summit and the excellent support from the MSGS team enable tremendous learning in a short period of time."

- Randy Jenkins, Director Business Development and Channels, Aviat Networks

"Everything was absolutely FIRST CLASS!! This was my first time ever attending this type of event. The format was unbelievably efficient and I learned so much in such a short amount of time."

- Bret Reid, Engineering Manager, Piqua Power System

"We really like the boardroom setting. You really get a chance to sit down and talk with the delegates. Instead of talking at them, or having a sales pitch with them, it's a business to business communication about how you can make your business better and how you can meet their smart grid needs."

- Alyssa Clemsen-Roberts, Government Affairs & Business Development, Grid2020

"When we were approached to attend the 2011 Municipal Smart Grid Summit, I thought it was going to be more of a sales pitch from the vendors and it hasn't been like that at all. It's really been informative with how the boardrooms are set up and I'm really glad I came. I got a lot of information while I was here that will help me as I go back home and look at the meters we have already purchased."

- Ronnie Grace, Electric Director, Sanger Electric Utilities

"From a vendor perspective, the boardroom format is an ideal venue for delivering our key message directly to a targeted group of utility leaders excited to hear promising solutions for enhancing their grid infrastructure, in a personable way. As a result, we experienced quality guests at the S&C booth and throughout the event. Also, the Keynote Speakers included industry leaders from across the smart grid industry and the accommodations and the Municipal Smart Grid Summit social events were all first class and action-packed."

- Ken Monro, Vice President - Communications Systems, S&C Electric

"It's an outstanding show. I feel the engagement with the vendors has been very knowledgeable and cordial. I like the small groups where they ask what you want and really understand our cooperative. The SGS personnel have been more than helpful in keeping us on track. It's allowed me to find the people I need to speak with to get our plans on smart grid and move forward. I'll definitely be back next year."

- Trent Loutensock, Director of Engineering, Highline Electric Association