The Energy Advantage

Strengthening the Midwest Energy Ecosystem

Energy powers more than our homes and businesses. It drives economic growth, innovation, investment and regional competitiveness.

As demand for reliable, affordable and secure energy continues to rise, the Midwest is uniquely positioned to lead. With abundant resources, strong infrastructure, world-class research, a thriving agricultural sector and growing manufacturing base, the region has an opportunity to turn its energy strengths into a lasting competitive advantage.

The Midwest Energy Summit brings together industry leaders, policymakers, utility executives, researchers and business decisionmakers to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of energy. Through keynote discussions, executive panels, and TED-style Energy Spotlights, attendees will examine the national energy outlook, global market forces, strategic infrastructure investments, emerging technologies and the leadership actions needed to support long-term growth and regional competitiveness.

Whether your focus is business, public policy, economic development, agriculture, infrastructure or innovation, the Midwest Energy Summit will provide valuable insight into one of the most important drivers of the Midwest's future.

Join the conversation on how the Midwest can strengthen its energy ecosystem and position itself as the nation's most competitive and resilient energy region.

Tentative Agenda

• National Outlook: The State of Energy
  • Exploring the national energy outlook, federal priorities and the opportunities and challenges shaping America's energy future.

• Global Forces: Energy in a Changing World
  • Understanding how global forces increasingly influence regional energy investment, affordability and competitiveness.
    • Luke Schields, Director of Middle East and Africa Research, ESAI Energy
    • Moderated by John Fernandes, Director, Policy & Market Intelligence, Ulteig

• Energy Spotlights: Innovation, Infrastructure and Future Opportunities
  • Cracking the Code 2.0: Bakken Enhanced Oil Recovery Efforts
  • Connecting Energy to Markets: How strategic infrastructure investments connect energy resources to businesses, communities and markets while supporting reliability and economic strength.
    • Cory Fong, Director of External Affairs, MDU Resources Group, INC
  • Fueling What's Next: Exploring how hydrogen technologies can support decarbonization, reliability, industrial growth and future energy development. 
    • Joel Jorgenson, President & CEO, BWR Innovations, LLC

• Regional Action and Leadership: Powering the Midwest: Building the Foundation for Future Growth
  • The Midwest is uniquely positioned to lead the next era of energy development. This panel will explore the region's strengths, the investments needed to support growth, and how utilities, businesses and communities can work together to enhance competitiveness, reliability and long-term economic success.
    • Paul Matthys, President & CEO, Cass County Electric Cooperative
    • Alex Abplanalp, Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Missouri River Energy Services
    • Mark Bring, Director, Public Policy & Government, Otter Tail Power Company
    • Tony Grindberg, State Director - North Dakota, Xcel Energy
    • Moderated by Shannon Full, President & CEO, FMWF Chamber