2019 Recap

Thanks again for joining us at the 2019 Best Practices Forum.

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Trends and takeaways
PHOTOS

Friday, Sept. 20

If arriving after registration closes, materials will be available at the front desk upon check-in.

  • Registration
    3-5 p.m. at the Inn
    5-6 p.m. at the Village

Saturday, Sept. 21

  • Excursion A: Chimney Rock
    Inn departs 8:40 a.m.
    Village departs 8:50 a.m.
    9 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Stand atop a 500 million-year-old “chimney” of a rock on the edge of a mountain with the world literally spread at your feet. This activity will include lunch. Waters and snacks will be provided on the bus.
    Attire: Sturdy, closed-toe shoes and light jacket. Long pants are recommended.
  • Excursion B: White Water Rafting
    Inn departs 8:40 a.m.
    Village departs 8:50 a.m.
    9 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Soar down Class II and III rapids on the world's third oldest river and witness scenic Pisgah National Forest in the picturesque mountains of North Carolina. This half-day trip will include lunch. Waters and snacks will be provided on the bus.
    Attire: Water shoes or shoes with a strap are required. Swimwear is recommended.
  • Excursion C: Craft Brewery Tour
    Inn departs 11:40 a.m.
    Village departs 11:50 a.m.
    Noon-4:30 p.m.
    Explore a variety of brewing facilities across Asheville during this afternoon micro craft brewery tour. Lunch will be provided at a local brewery. Waters and snacks will be provided on the bus.
    Attire: Closed-toe shoes are required.
  • Excursion D: Guided Garden Walk at Biltmore Estate
    10-11 a.m. 
    Departure 9:45 a.m.
    Enjoy a meandering walk through the estate’s Italian, Shrub, and Walled Gardens with a Biltmore host offering insights into the landscaping history behind the estate’s world-renowned gardens, grounds,
    and conservatory. 
    Attire: Resort casual. Comfortable shoes are recommended.
  • Reception and Dinner at Biltmore Estate’s Antler Barn
    Inn departs 6:15 p.m.
    Village guests walk to Antler Barn
    6:30 p.m. reception | 7:30 p.m. dinner
    Reception and dinner are outdoors
    Recommended attire: Dressy casual. Jeans and boots are appropriate. Be mindful of shoes on uneven grass and outdoor terrain. 

Sunday, Sept. 22

  • Excursion E: Eclectic Asheville Tour
    Inn departs 10:40 a.m.
    Village departs 10:50 a.m.
    11 a.m.-4 p.m.
    Asheville is known for a vibrant and artsy music community, excellent beer and craft breweries along with world class chocolatiers. Experience all three in this fast-paced taste of Asheville, including lunch. Waters and snacks will be provided on the bus.
    Attire: Closed-toe shoes are required.
  • Excursion F: Waterfall Hike
    Inn departs 8:40 a.m.
    Village departs 8:50 a.m.
    9 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Visit the "Land of the Waterfalls" in the mountains southwest of Asheville. Experience an inspiring 2-mile hike (rated easy) on the well-maintained trails of Dupont State Forest. Boxed lunches are included. Waters and snacks will be provided on the bus.
    Attire: Sturdy, closed-toe shoes and light jacket. Long pants are recommended.
  • Excursion G: Art, History and Architecture Tour
    Inn departs 8:40 a.m.
    Village departs 8:50 a.m.
    9 a.m.-1 p.m.
    Experience Asheville on a driving tour that sweeps through downtown Asheville and its surrounding neighborhoods to give riders a sense of the city and the “frozen in time” feel provided by its wonderful Art Deco architecture. Along the way the tour will stop in Asheville’s River Arts District to watch a live art demonstration. Complete with lunch downtown. Waters and snacks will be provided on the bus.
    Attire: Dress comfortably.
  • Excursion H: Vanderbilt Wine Tasting and Tour at Biltmore Estate (FULL)
    Inn departs 12:45 p.m.
    Village guests walk and meet at retail winery entrance
    1-2:30 p.m.
    Learn what it takes to make Biltmore’s award-winning wines with an exclusive guided tour of production facilities with a well-informed host. This special tour concludes with a fun and informative sampling of Biltmore wines.
    Attire: Resort casual. Comfortable shoes recommended.
  • Reception and Dinner at Biltmore’s Italian Garden and South Terrace
    5:15 Departure
    5:30 p.m. Biltmore House tour  
    6:30 p.m. reception  
    7:30 p.m. dinner
    Reception and dinner are outdoors. The evening will include a guided evening tour of the Biltmore house.
    Recommended attire: Dressy casual. Be mindful of shoes on uneven grass and outdoor terrain.

Monday, Sept. 23

  • Breakfast
    7 a.m. on the Lioncrest Veranda
  • Best Practices Forum
    8 a.m. | Lioncrest Ballroom
  • 8:15 a.m. | Ben Harrison
    The Future of Transmission
  • 9 a.m. | Carol Sedewitz
    Distributed System Platform Provider in New York’s New Energy Vision Market.
  • 10 a.m. | Kevin C. Fitzgerald
    Financial Trends in the Utility Industry
     
    10:45 a.m. | Bridget Reidy
    Exelon - Diversity Inclusion and Empowerment
     
    11:30 a.m. | Phil Moeller
    Regulatory Trends for Transmission and Distribution
     
    1:15 p.m. | Matthew Morrissey and Ken Bowes
    Financial Trends in the Utility Industry
     
    1:45 p.m. | Mark Mroczynski
    Building and Sustaining an Integrated and Flexible Program Team
     
    2:30 p.m. | Jim Schott
    Project Execution – Process, Partners and People

    3:30 p.m. | Kim Hanemann
    Lessons Learned of Managing a Changing Portfolio
     
  • 4:15 p.m. | Jennifer Rodgers
    CPI as a Performance Accelerator in a Dynamic Market

    Attire: Business casual.
  • Guest Event: Brunch and ABLE Gift Experience at The Inn, Vanderbilt Room
    9-11 a.m. 
    Attire: Resort casual.

    For those wishing to visit downtown Asheville, a shopping excursion will depart the Inn at 1pm.
  • Final Reception and Outdoor Dinner at Biltmore Estate’s Diana
    Departure 6:15 p.m.
    6:30 p.m. finale dinner
    Reception and dinner are outdoors.
    Recommended attire: Dressy casual. Be mindful of shoes on uneven grass and outdoor terrain.