PECM Issue 26 2017 | Page 30

TRANSFORMATION AND FLEXIBILITY TOP THEMES FOR UTILITY WEEK LIVE Transformation and flexibility are the two headline themes of Utility Week Live, which returns to the NEC in Birmingham on 23-24 May 2017 bigger and better than ever. oday’s utilities need to rise to the challenges of changing models of consumption and competition, the demands of sustainability and extreme weather, and political and economic upheaval: all these require a new approach from the essential businesses delivering water, gas and electricity to UK homes and businesses. Transformation and flexibility are therefore not optional for utilities, but the key to survival and success. T Utility Week Live 2017 will bring together all UK utilities with their supply chains and wider stakeholders to explore the new models of thinking and operating that are demanded by this challenging environment. The pan-utility keynote conference will feature top utility leaders debating themes including resilience and decision-making amid uncertainty (including the potential impact of Brexit), skills, sustainability and new business models. ‘Meet the regulator’ and ‘meet the buyer’ sessions will give visitors the chance to pose questions to Ofgem and Ofwat, and for utilities to engage with major energy and water users. Meanwhile, seminar sessions will once again take place in individual theatres on the show floor dedicated to water and energy, and there will be a new customer theatre for retail and customer-focussed topics. Essential show features include the Energy Innovation Zone (organised in partnership with the Energy Innovation Centre); the brand new Isle Utilities Innovation Zone and Awards, the Streetworks Village, the Network Zone and the Outdoor Demonstration Zone. 2017 also sees the launch of a brand new conference stream dedicated to streetworks. To mark the opening of the non-household retail market for water we will also be introducing the Water Retail Zone (co- hosted with our sister show edie Live), where water retailers can meet the major business buyers of water. “After the success of last year, I am extremely excited to announce that Utility Week Live 2017 is going to be bigger and better, with more speakers, exhibitors and sponsors” said Amanda Barnes, chief executive of Utility Week Live. “It is a great opportunity for the multi-billion pound UK utilities industries to gather over two lively days of networking and learning and discovering.” Utility Week Live 2017 free tickets are available right now, and can be booked at www. utilityweeklive.co.uk 30 PECM Issue 26