Mark your calendar to join us for the UTC Region 9 2025 Technology Workshop in Spokane, Washington, on September 3rd-5th. This engaging event is designed to cater to the specific needs of our members and stakeholders. At the workshop, utility professionals and esteemed technology partners will come together to address crucial issues such as embracing digital utility, market trends, business strategies, and critical infrastructure communication solutions. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate, learn from industry experts, and network with peers. Join us for this power-packed, in-person event brought to you by UTC, the trusted source and resource for utility telecom professionals for over 75 years!
“Spokane Deals,” a fantastic resource offering discounts at nearby businesses—all within walking distance of the Davenport Hotel.
Rates
Utility Registration Rates:
- $300 for the first registrant and $90 for each additional registrant.
- Please contact support@utc.org once the first registration is completed for instructions on how to register additional attendees at the discounted rate.
**If your company is a member of UTC and you are not seeing the member rates on the registration site please contact support@utc.org for assistance.
Vendor/Associate Rates:
- $450 – Members
- $695 – Non-Members
**these rates are for non-exhibiting or sponsoring companies. Please see note below under sponsors & exhibitors.
Speakers:
- All speakers will be registered complimentary by UTC staff.
Sponsors & Exhibitors:
- Sponsors and Exhibitors may receive complimentary or discounted rates depending on their level of participation. Before registering through the website please email us by clicking here to confirm any applicable comps or discounts.
Cancellation Policy:
- Cancellations received by Tuesday, August 12, will receive a refund less a 25% cancellation fee. Cancellations must be received in writing to support@utc.org. There will be no refunds after Tuesday, August 12; however, substitutions may be made without penalty.
Exhibitor/Sponsor Information
Sponsorship gives your company exposure and provides a clear platform to leave a lasting impression. UTC is committed to providing you with the support you need for success. Contact kristi.middlebrooks@utc.org to discuss your sponsorship options.
Exhibit Hall is SOLD OUT, click here to be added to the waitlist
Exhibitor & Sponsorship Contract – Click here
Floor plan – Click here
Sponsor Information
Kristi Middlebrooks | Director, Exhibits and Sponsorships
E: kristi.middlebrooks@utc.org | P: 202.833.6838
Conference / Registration Information
E: support@utc.org
Already an exhibitor/sponsor?
Exhibit Quick Facts – Click here
Exhibitor Receiving and Handling Form – Click here
Badge Request Form – Click here
Electric, AV, Shipping Order Form – Click here
For questions contact support@utc.org or call 202.833.6812
Travel/Getting There
Closest airport:
The Spokane International Airport is the closest airport. Spokane International Airport annually processes over 3,000,000 passengers and is served by five major and five regional air carriers. This is only a 15-minute drive from downtown.
Estimated taxi and rideshare fees from airport:
Taxi: Est. $30-$45 depending on traffic, time of day, etc.
Lyft and Uber are available at designated areas of the terminal. Est. $25-$30 depending on traffic, time of day, etc.
Map:
Please find our Visitor Map, here. Your hotel is located by the purple “O” in Spokane on the map.
Parking details at hotel/venue:
Self-parking at The Historic Davenport Hotel is available in the garage on the southwest corner of First Avenue and Post at $25 per night per car. Valet Parking is also available at $35 per night per car.
Travel information for attendees. Travel Through Spokane
UTC Merchandise
Promote Your Status
I’m Attending: Click here
I’m Exhibiting: Click here
I’m Speaking: Click here
I’m Sponsoring: Click here
Historic Davenport Hotel
10 S Post St,Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-8888
Reservation Deadline is Tuesday, August 12th
About Region 9
Region 9 includes the Canadian Provinces of British Columbia & Alberta!
And continues to serve the states of:
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Montana
- Oregon
- Washington
Have any questions or are interested in hearing more about how UTC can play a role in your company? Contact our Region 9 officers:
UTC Region 9 Officers
- Chair: David Parkhurst, Grant County PUD
- Vice-Chair: Bryan Rask, Avista Corporation
- Secretary / Treasurer: Eleanour Hunstock, Snohomish County Public Utility District No. 1
SPEAKERS
Rusty Williams
President and CEO, Utilities Technology Council
Jimmy R. (Rusty) Williams is President and CEO of the Utilities Technology Council (UTC.) UTC is a DC-based global trade association that represents electric, gas, and water utilities on their mission-critical information and communications technologies.
Williams, a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Alabama, has more than three decades of extensive utilities industry experience. He worked at LightRiver Technologies for seven years, where he served as Vice President, Sales. Before LightRiver, Williams worked for nearly four years as Director of Business Development at AFL Telecommunications. He also worked for more than 25 years at Southern Company, where he held various telecommunications and IT management positions.
Williams, a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Alabama, has more than three decades of extensive utilities industry experience. He worked at LightRiver Technologies for seven years, where he served as Vice President, Sales. Before LightRiver, Williams worked for nearly four years as Director of Business Development at AFL Telecommunications. He also worked for more than 25 years at Southern Company, where he held various telecommunications and IT management positions.
As President and CEO, Williams will lead UTC’s staff as the association continues to be a trusted advocate and thought leader on regulatory issues and emerging technology, as well as a valued training source in the utility telecommunications and networking space.
Williams earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
When not working for UTC, Rusty enjoys his family which includes his wife Ivette, 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren. He also enjoys playing golf and hunting. Rusty also serves his church as a leader and teacher.
Sean Chambers
Network Architect, Core Architect Team, Avista Corporation
Sean Chambers is the Network Architect on Avista’s Core Architect Team, where he leads development of technology and architecture strategies and roadmaps for the utility’s IT and OT communication networks. Over his 24year tenure, Sean has held roles spanning Network Operations and Engineering, and in 2020-2023 served as VP of Network Engineering for Avista Edge, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avista Corp. In 2024 he led a crossfunctional effort to define Avista’s Utility Enterprise Network Communications Strategy, and most recently has focused on network architecture supporting Avista’s cloud migration, disaster recovery, mobility, and field area network strategies.
Sean received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Washington University, and holds multiple technical professional and design certifications.
Larry Johnson
President, FiberStory
Larry Johnson started his career in fiber optics in 1977 and was on the team at Tektronix that developed the first field OTDR. In 1986 he founded The Light Brigade where he wrote and developed over twenty-five courses. This includes the three courses and certifications on fiber optics for the UTC. He is a member of the Fiber Broadband Association and Utility Telecom Council’s technology committees. His organization FiberStory is involved with the history of fiber optics while providing technology assessments on fiber optic technology. He speaks at industry conferences about fiber optic technologies and coordinates special events.
Kathy Nelson, P.E.
Founder & Principal, KN Utility Telecom Consulting
Kathy Nelson, PE is the Founder and Principal at KN Utility Telecom Consulting, a firm specializing in utilities telecommunications strategy. Ms. Nelson has over 31 years of experience in the utility telecommunications industry including a long career of 25 years at Great River Energy, serving on the board of directors for UTC for 10 years including as Chairwoman from 2017 – 2018, providing strategic direction and leading IEEE standards development at Ondas Networks, providing strategic telecommunications consulting for utilities at West Monroe Partners and most recently founding KN Utility Telecom Consulting.
Ms. Nelson is a strong supporter of women in STEM, hosting a podcast “Ordinarily Extraordinary – conversations with women in STEM”. Ms. Nelson resides in Minnesota and is the mother to three adult children and a lively sheepadoodle dog.
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Michael B. Robinson
Solutions Architect, World Wide Technology
Mike is a Solutions Architect at WWT responsible for supporting electric utilities’ smart grid initiatives. Mike has worked with utilities globally developing solutions for their Operations Technology (OT) environments. Mike specializes in MPLS, SDN, 4G/5G, and security technologies. Mike holds a B.S. in Telecom Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University and an M.A.S in Wireless Telecommunications from Denver University.
Mike Waitley
Senior Sales Manager, MDS Industrial Communications Group at GE Grid Solutions
Mike has over 25 years’ experience in the wireless communications industry with the last 18 in the IoT space across the energy, smart grid, industrial automation, and connected vehicle verticals. He has held various business, channel, and product management roles at Kodak, Nokia, AT&T, and GE Vernova. Mike has a Bachelors in Business Administration degree from Iowa State University.
Rusty Williams
President and CEO, Utilities Technology Council
Jimmy R. (Rusty) Williams is President and CEO of the Utilities Technology Council (UTC.) UTC is a DC-based global trade association that represents electric, gas, and water utilities on their mission-critical information and communications technologies.
Williams, a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Alabama, has more than three decades of extensive utilities industry experience. He worked at LightRiver Technologies for seven years, where he served as Vice President, Sales. Before LightRiver, Williams worked for nearly four years as Director of Business Development at AFL Telecommunications. He also worked for more than 25 years at Southern Company, where he held various telecommunications and IT management positions.
Williams, a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Alabama, has more than three decades of extensive utilities industry experience. He worked at LightRiver Technologies for seven years, where he served as Vice President, Sales. Before LightRiver, Williams worked for nearly four years as Director of Business Development at AFL Telecommunications. He also worked for more than 25 years at Southern Company, where he held various telecommunications and IT management positions.
As President and CEO, Williams will lead UTC’s staff as the association continues to be a trusted advocate and thought leader on regulatory issues and emerging technology, as well as a valued training source in the utility telecommunications and networking space.
Williams earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
When not working for UTC, Rusty enjoys his family which includes his wife Ivette, 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren. He also enjoys playing golf and hunting. Rusty also serves his church as a leader and teacher.
Sean Chambers
Network Architect, Core Architect Team, Avista Corporation
Sean Chambers is the Network Architect on Avista’s Core Architect Team, where he leads development of technology and architecture strategies and roadmaps for the utility’s IT and OT communication networks. Over his 24year tenure, Sean has held roles spanning Network Operations and Engineering, and in 2020-2023 served as VP of Network Engineering for Avista Edge, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avista Corp. In 2024 he led a crossfunctional effort to define Avista’s Utility Enterprise Network Communications Strategy, and most recently has focused on network architecture supporting Avista’s cloud migration, disaster recovery, mobility, and field area network strategies.
Sean received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Washington University, and holds multiple technical professional and design certifications.
Larry Johnson
President, FiberStory
Larry Johnson started his career in fiber optics in 1977 and was on the team at Tektronix that developed the first field OTDR. In 1986 he founded The Light Brigade where he wrote and developed over twenty-five courses. This includes the three courses and certifications on fiber optics for the UTC. He is a member of the Fiber Broadband Association and Utility Telecom Council’s technology committees. His organization FiberStory is involved with the history of fiber optics while providing technology assessments on fiber optic technology. He speaks at industry conferences about fiber optic technologies and coordinates special events.
Kathy Nelson, P.E.
Founder & Principal, KN Utility Telecom Consulting
(Opens in a new browser tab)
Kathy Nelson, PE is the Founder and Principal at KN Utility Telecom Consulting, a firm specializing in utilities telecommunications strategy. Ms. Nelson has over 31 years of experience in the utility telecommunications industry including a long career of 25 years at Great River Energy, serving on the board of directors for UTC for 10 years including as Chairwoman from 2017 – 2018, providing strategic direction and leading IEEE standards development at Ondas Networks, providing strategic telecommunications consulting for utilities at West Monroe Partners and most recently founding KN Utility Telecom Consulting.
Ms. Nelson is a strong supporter of women in STEM, hosting a podcast “Ordinarily Extraordinary – conversations with women in STEM”. Ms. Nelson resides in Minnesota and is the mother to three adult children and a lively sheepadoodle dog.
Michael B. Robinson
Solutions Architect, World Wide Technology
Mike is a Solutions Architect at WWT responsible for supporting electric utilities’ smart grid initiatives. Mike has worked with utilities globally developing solutions for their Operations Technology (OT) environments. Mike specializes in MPLS, SDN, 4G/5G, and security technologies. Mike holds a B.S. in Telecom Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University and an M.A.S in Wireless Telecommunications from Denver University.
Mike Waitley
Senior Sales Manager, MDS Industrial Communications Group at GE Grid Solutions
Mike has over 25 years’ experience in the wireless communications industry with the last 18 in the IoT space across the energy, smart grid, industrial automation, and connected vehicle verticals. He has held various business, channel, and product management roles at Kodak, Nokia, AT&T, and GE Vernova. Mike has a Bachelors in Business Administration degree from Iowa State University.
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