Dallas, TX, USA | November 5-6, 2026 | The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas
Marcus Evans is pleased to announce the Transmission & Distribution Summit 2026, an invitation-only, senior-level forum bringing together the most influential transmission and distribution executives from across North America’s leading utilities. Taking place on 5-6 November 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, the Summit will provide a focused environment for strategic discussion, peer exchange and practical problem-solving at a time when the demands placed on the North American grid have never been greater.
A Critical Moment for the Industry
North America’s transmission and distribution sector is navigating a period of extraordinary complexity. The rapid expansion of data centers, the accelerating pace of industrial electrification and the growing influence of artificial intelligence are collectively driving electricity demand to levels that existing infrastructure was not designed to accommodate. At the same time, utilities are contending with aging assets, tightening regulatory frameworks, interconnection backlogs and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. The Transmission & Distribution Summit 2026 has been designed specifically to address these converging pressures, equipping senior leaders with the insight, strategies and connections required to respond effectively.
A Program Built Around What Leaders Need Most
The Summit’s agenda has been developed through direct engagement with utility executives and reflects the priorities that are shaping investment and operational decisions across the sector. Key topics for 2026 include managing load growth driven by AI and data center expansion, scaling 765kV buildout and large-scale infrastructure delivery, addressing interconnection queue backlogs and permitting uncertainty, strengthening grid resilience against wildfire risk and severe weather, and leveraging automation, storage and digital technologies to optimize system performance. Workforce readiness and cyber defense will also feature prominently, recognising the growing vulnerability of an increasingly connected grid.
An Exceptional Speaker Faculty
The Summit brings together a faculty of senior executives whose experience spans operations, engineering, policy, planning and grid transformation. Confirmed speakers include Mark Lauby, NERC Fellow and Chief Engineer at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation; Ahmad Ababneh, Senior Vice President of Transmission and Substation at ComEd; Joe Bentley, Senior Vice President of Electric Engineering at PG&E; Vandan Divatia, Vice President of Transmission Policy at Eversource Energy; David Stader, Chief Transmission Development Officer at AEP; and Ryan Hawthorne, Vice President of Grid Transformation at Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corp, among many others. Together, they represent the depth of leadership and operational expertise that defines this Summit.
An Invitation-Only Format That Delivers Results
The Summit’s invitation-only structure ensures that every participant is a qualified senior decision-maker, creating an environment where meaningful dialogue and genuine partnership can take place. Solution providers who participate benefit from pre-qualified access to executives actively evaluating relevant products and services, while utility leaders gain exposure to innovative approaches and technologies aligned with their most immediate challenges.
About Marcus Evans
Marcus Evans is a global media, corporate marketing and information company with 40 years of experience in the production of premium business events. Operating across 59 locations worldwide and employing over 3,000 professionals, the company is recognised for its commitment to quality, intelligence and measurable outcomes for clients across diverse industries.
For more information RSVP here: https://www.marcusevans.com/summit/t-d/nov26?utm_source=media&utm_medium=press+release&utm_campaign=ICON+Media
