Sponsorship packages are available starting at only $1000 for Booster. Plus our Gold, Platinum and Diamond packages include FREE CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS!  To learn more about sponsorships, please review our Sponsorship Brochure and contact Mary Armstrong, Director of Member Services & Marketing, at 281.460.3054 or marmstrong@gulfcoastpower.org.
 

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AGENDA - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23rd

8:00 AM REGISTRATION ~ CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

8:45 AM GCPA President’s Welcome

GCPA President         Kristy Ashley, Director - Market Intelligence, Customized Energy Solutions
Conference Chair      Katie Coleman, Partner, Thompson & Knight LLP
 

9:00 AM KEYNOTE I - What the Heck Is “Emotional Intelligence?”

While it is said that your intellect gets you hired, it is your ability to master interpersonal communication skills –your emotional intelligence - that gets you promoted. In this dynamic session, engaging executive coach Cecilia Rose provides hands-on, concrete techniques and solutions to improve your leadership skills and your personal resilience to change. Discover how to gain emotional self-control to improve your performance and relationships when you develop your emotional intelligence. Be open and be amazed at the ideas, techniques and solutions you’ll learn – and how they can empower you to tackle challenges in the workplace with a new sense of awareness, insight and discipline.

Speaker:  Cecilia Rose, Master Certified Executive Coach & Business Relationship Expert
 

10:15 AM KEYNOTE II - Overcoming Adversity

At age 27, Natalie Baker seemed to have it all. She was a recent graduate of the University of Texas School of Law with a promising career, a happy relationship, and a supportive network of family and friends. A decision to drive home one night dramatically changed the course of Natalie’s life, landing her in the Florida State Penitentiary for four years. Join Natalie as she shares her personal story of picking herself back up after unimaginable failure and turning her life into a success story.

Speaker:  Natalie Baker
 

10:45 AM NETWORKING BREAK

 

11:00 AM PRESENTATION I - Achieving Greater Life Balance & Effectiveness in a Hyper-Connected World

Our lives are becoming increasingly enmeshed with technology. While our screens offer many benefits, their incessant pull makes it difficult to balance our work, family, and personal lives. We are at the tip of a very formidable iceberg, and it is not going to get any easier with the passage of time! The good news is that small changes can lead to powerful results. Learning some life and screen balance strategies now will enable you to be more successful both personally and professionally.

Speaker:  Dr. Mike Brooks, Director, Austin Psychology & Assessment (APA) Center
 

11:45 AM PANEL I - Making Technology Work for You… Not Vice Versa

Experienced panelists from different industries will discuss the role of technology in the workplace and how it has evolved during their careers. Panelists will discuss the pros and cons of a constantly connected world and provide personal strategies for effectively using technology while maintaining focus and balance.

Moderator: Lindsey Hughes, Director of Corporate Communications & Government Relations, ERCOT

Panelists:
Lisa Craven, Deputy Comptroller/Chief of Staff, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, State of Texas
Phillip Oldham, Partner, Thompson & Knight LLP
Melissa Gage, Senior Counsel, AEP

 

12:15 PM LUNCHEON

 

1:15 PM KEYNOTE III - Women’s Leadership in Political, Economic & Social Transformation of the Energy Sector 

The leadership role of women in the sustainable development of the energy sector globally has been increasingly prominent in last years. In Mexico, many women have actively participated in the design and construction of a new, sustainable, energy model that is beginning to bear fruit, going from state-owned monopolies to a market oriented and competitive sector. There are still many challenges ahead, but with a clear regulatory framework and with the talent of professionals in the sector, Mexico will be able to consolidate an avant-garde energy model. In this keynote address, one of the main leaders in this important paradigm shift will share her vision and future prospects.

Speaker:  Susana Ivana Cazora Espinosa, General Coordinator of LPG Regulated Activities, Energy Regulatory Commission of Mexico (CRE)

1:45 PM PRESENTATION II - Making Gender Diversity Work

Women at every level in their careers know it's not a lack of ambition, competence, or even confidence that makes earning a seat at the table or a promotion more challenging than it is for their male peers. This research based,interactive presentation provides practical advice on how to overcome the actual barriers women face getting ahead in the modern workplace, including navigating implicit bias, understanding differing definitions of diversity, and mastering productive self-promotion.

Speaker:  David Harrison, Professor, McCombs School of Business, The University of Texas at Austin

2:45 PM NETWORKING BREAK


3:00 PM KEYNOTE III - Insider Secrets to Thriving in the Executive Suite

To thrive (not just survive) in the executive suite requires a blend of technical competence, high emotional intelligence, business savvy and confidence. The skills that made you successful as a first or second line manager are not enough for the senior ranks. Mastering the secret handshake inside your organization is vital as you must be able to influence key decisions and transactions. This interactive workshop will provide a fresh look at what it takes to thrive as an executive in 2019.

Speaker:  Tracy Imm, Consultant, Coach and Author

3:45 PM CEO ROUNDTABLE

Marianne Trost, a seasoned business development and career management coach, will lead a frank discussion with female CEOs in the energy industry. The panel will address how to succeed in historically male-dominated industries, how to learn from past failures, how to create a support network, how to mentor other women, and other topics that are important to the long-term success of women in energy.

Moderator:  Marianne Trost, The Woman’s Lawyer Coach

Panelists:
Mary Kipp, President & CEO, El Paso Electric
Julie Parsley, CEO, PEC
Sallie Rainer, President & CEO, Entergy Texas Inc.
Jackie Sargent, General Manager, Austin Energy


4:45 PM CLOSING REMARKS

Conference Co-chair:  Katie Coleman, Partner, Thompson & Knight LLP


5:00 PM COCKTAIL RECEPTION
 

Pre-Conference Events Tuesday, January 22nd

1/2 DAY WORKSHOP
MEDIA TRAINING WITH HILL+KNOWLTON STRATEGIES
1:30 - 5:00 PM
AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center
Amphitheater 204

AN emPOWERing BEGINNING TO YOUR CONFERENCE EXPERIENCE

“The Art of Communicating in
Good Times and Challenging Times”

Whether you are a savvy spokesperson or a newcomer to media interviews or public speaking, you will learn valuable tips and techniques to enhance your interview and presentation skills. You will gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate the modern media landscape, maximize your opportunities to be an engaging spokesperson and memorable presenter, and guide your organization through vulnerable and highly scrutinized situations.

Meet the Speakers: MARK EDGAR & BRONWYN WALLACE

MARK EDGAR is a Managing Director and has an extensive, award-winning background in journalism, media relations, legal affairs, digital communication and crisis management. At H+K, he has supported multiple clients, from Silicon Valley startups to Fortune 500 companies, from government policy to C-suite media prep and outreach. Over the last two years, he has provided strategic counsel for tech executives being investigated by the FBI for fraud, a global industrialist whose U.S. political donations have drawn scrutiny from special prosecutors, a Texas attorney in federal racketeering lawsuit against a medical manufacturer and a European-based communications company accused in a bribery case. Before H+K, he served as deputy managing editor of The Dallas Morning News, supervising its core departments – the Metro, Texas and Southwest, National, International and Politics. He led its front-line news operations for Hurricane Katrina and the Iraq war, coverage that earned The News two Pulitzer Prize. He guided The News’ legislative, congressional and presidential coverage of the Bush, Clinton, Bush and Obama elections. He directed its domestic and foreign bureaus, including Washington, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Los Angeles, London, Havana and Mexico City. He also produced joint investigative projects with public radio and TV stations, network affiliates and Spanish-language and university media partners. As a reporter, he won numerous awards, including those from The Associated Press, the State Bar of Texas for legal reporting and the Inter American Press Association for foreign reporting. He attended McGill University in Montreal, graduated from Southern Illinois University and later taught at the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education at the University of California, Berkeley.

BRONWYN WALLACE is also a managing director. She leads H+K’s Houston energy practice and focuses on media, environmental issues, crisis and community outreach. She also is the strategic media lead for Deloitte, coordinating thought leadership and expert positioning platforms in a wide array of energy sectors in North America. Her crisis work includes training and response for companies such as Enbridge, ExxonMobil, CenterPoint, Hess, United Airlines and SABIC. Over her past 19 years at the firm, Bronwyn has served a variety of clients across the energy spectrum from power and utilities and renewables to pipelines, clean coal, smart grid, refining and petrochemicals.

EVENING WELCOME RECEPTION - 5:00 PM

EARLY BIRD, REGULAR AND ON-SITE PRICING FOR ALL CONFERENCE EVENTS

CONFERENCE PRICING - price includes one day conference 1/23 and cocktail reception afterward. 

Conference Pricing	Early Bird Registration through 1/07/19	Regular Registration 1/08/19 - 1/18/19	Onsite Reg. 1/23/2019
GCPA Members	$300	$350	$400
Non-members	$350	$400	$450
State Agency Employees	$200	$200	$225

Workshop Pricing - includes half-day workshop, 1:30 p.m. - ~5 p.m. on 1/22.

Workshop Pricing	Early Bird Registration through 1/07/2019	Regular Registration 1/08/2019 - 01/18/2019	On-site Reg. 01/22/2019
GCPA Members	$75	$85	$100
Non-Members	$100	$110	$125
State Agency Employees	$50	$50	$65