2024 Power Up Energy Expo + Defense Innovation Forum

The Gulf Coast Energy Network and its partners are proud to present the 15th annual Power Up Energy Expo. This year the event is co-located with the Defense Innovation Forum. The two events will gather leaders from the Department of Defense, federal government, industry partners, and academia. The event is designed to enhance energy security, resiliency, and sustainability initiatives to ensure mission assurance for the Department of Defense.

Returning Member Registration – $195:
Until August 9, 2024

All-access pass to Power Up (22 OCT) + Defense Innovation Forum (23 OCT). This includes all Keynotes, technical sessions, agency briefings, exhibitor showcase, and more. Includes breakfast and lunch for both days, and the Icebreaker networking social.

Early-bird Registration – $245:
July 15- August 2 2024 (No Onsite Registration)

All-access pass to Power Up (22 OCT) + Defense Innovation Forum (23 OCT). This includes all Keynotes, technical sessions, agency briefings, exhibitor showcase, and more. Includes breakfast and lunch for both days, and the Icebreaker networking social.

Who Attends?

Senior-level government and military leaders, technology providers, industry partners, design/construction firms, academic labs, and the energy and sustainability community atlarge.

Location

This event will be held at the Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort in Panama City Beach, Florida. The location is second to none with views of the Gulf of Mexico and close to lots of hotel options, dining and shopping. 

Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort
11212 Front Beach Rd.
Panama City Beach, FL 32407


2024 Agenda

All times listed are central standard time. The agenda is subject to change. All attendees will be subject to background screening by the U.S. Air Force. 

Pre-Event: Monday, October 21

Exhibitor Move-In

Exhibitors: Please contact us with any questions Events@GulfCoastEnergyNetwork.org

Day 1: Power Up Energy Expo – Tuesday, October 22

  • Opening Remarks/Safety Briefing 0900

    Mr. Dave Robau, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Energy Network

  • Welcome Address & Keynote Introductions

    Mr. Mike Dwyer, PE, Deputy Chief, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Natural Disaster Recovery Division, U.S. Air Force

  • Morning Keynote Speaker

    Mr. Kirk Phillips, Director, Office of Energy Assurance, U.S. Air Force

  • Opening Plenary Session: Innovative Partnerships to Advance Energy Resilience 1000-1045

    Moderator: Mr. Dave Robau, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Energy Network
    Col. Matthew J. McKinney, Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, U.S. Marine Corps
    Mr. David Leinberger, Chief, Army Community Partnerships Program, HQDA, U.S. Army

  • Morning Networking Break with Vendors 1045-1115
  • Workshop 1: Technology Showcase: Join us for this rapid-fire presentation format for next-gen technologies for everything from advanced building components to clean energy and storage solutions. 1115-1200

    Mr. Kelly Rosenberger, EVP of Government Business, Enginuity Power System
    Mr. Nick Ruebel, Managing Director, Super Floor USA
    Mr. Sean Luangrath, CEO, Inergy
    Ms. Emily Carlisle, Environmental Scientist, National Energy USA
    Speaker TBD Green Hydrogen Technology, LLC

  • Workshop 2: Deploying Smart Infrastructure and Technology for Mission Assurance 1300-1400

    Moderator: Mr. Michael Bartlett, President SCIpact, LLC
    Mr. Norm Campbell, CEM, Federal Business Development - Power, Siemens
    Mr. Carlos Tamayo, President & CEO, Phronimos LLC

  • Workshop 3: Supporting the Warfighter Through Innovation and Collaboration 1400-1430

    Mr. Judah Bradley, PE, CEM, LEED AP, Energy Surety SME, Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC), U.S. Air Force

  • Afternoon Networking Break with Vendors 1430-1500
  • Speaker Presentation 1500-1530

    Mr. Michael Reed, CEM, SAME, IEEE, Sr Federal Business Developer Manager, Global Analytical Professionals, LLC

  • Workshop 4: Agency Briefings 1530-1630

    Agencies represented include:
    Mr. Major George, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Region 4, General Services Administration
    Ms. Jennifer Cavanagh, Chief, Office of Small Business Program, Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
    Ms. Tiffany H. Seibt, Environmental Branch Chief, Programs and Project Management Division, Mobile District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

  • Day 1 Closing Keynote Speaker 1630-1700

    Mr. Aaron Viles, Senior Director of Campaigns, Electrification Coalition

  • Networking Reception co-hosted by the Gulf Coast Energy Network and the Society of American Military Engineers benefiting the SAME STEM Camp.

Day 2: Defense Innovation Forum – Wednesday, October 23

  • Opening Remarks 0900

    Mr. Dave Robau, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Energy Network
    General Announcements + Keynote Introductions

  • Welcome Message

    Mr. J.T. Young, VP and General Manager, Florida Power & Light, Northwest Region

  • Opening Keynote Speaker 915-945

    “Federal Foundations, Clean Energy Futures: The Catalyst for Success”
    Mr. Cagen Williams, President & CEO, Panhandle Power Solutions

  • Opening Plenary Session: Installation of the Future 945-1045

    Mr. Mark A. Shackley, Security Force Program Manager, Natural Disaster Recovery Division, Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC), U.S. Air Force
    Mr. Paul Serafino, Sales Executive, Northeast, Hyaxiom, Inc
    Mr. Scott Luth, VP of Economic Development and Capital Programs, Space Florida

  • Workshop 5: Building for the Future: Resilient Communities and Installations 1100-1200

    Moderator: Ms. Candice Scale, Sr. Business Development Manager, HDR
    Ms. Sandrine A. Schultz, Sustainability Director, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy Energy, Installations, and Environment, U.S. Navy
    Mr. Charles Nikon, Additive Manufacturing PM, Air Force Civil Engineer Center/CXAE (AFCEC), U.S. Air Force

  • Workshop 6: Nature-Based Solutions and Case Studies in Resiliency

    Mr. Garey Payne, Acquisition Program Manager Deputy, Programs Branch AFCEC, Natural Disaster Recovery, U.S. Air Force

  • Workshop 7: Executive Order 14057: A Case Study on Plan to Meet CFE, ZEV and Building Electrification Requirements 1330-1400

    Mr. Stanley Lam, PE. CEM. Project Manager, HDR

  • Workshop 8: Agency Briefings 1400-1450

    Agencies represented include:
    Mr. James Vaughan, Flight Lead, 325th Contracting Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, U.S. Air Force
    Ms. Dawn M. Brown, Deputy Director for Small Business Programs, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southeast, U.S. Navy
    Mr. David Willis, Deputy, Small Business Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District

  • Closing Remarks: 1450-1500

    Mr. Dave Robau, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Energy Network & SAME Representative

  • Bus Tour of Tyndall AFB for Pre-Registered Attendees


Past Event Sponsors

Power Up Sponsors Previous Years

Topics of Discussion

  • Building community resilience to support mission assurance for the DOD
  • Advanced energy generation + storage solutions and EV charging infrastructure
  • Strategies and technologies to address climate change at DOD sites
  • Power grid resiliency and energy and cybersecurity
  • Successes and challenges of implementing the carbon reduction strategies
  • Deploying resilient, efficient and secure energy microgrids at DOD Installations
  • New policies and strategies to increase energy/water efficiencies across the DoD
  • New fortified design and construction standards across DoD installations to increase resiliency
  • Optimizing nature-based solutions for mission success across DOD Installations
  • Exploring new “digital twin” models at the Installation of the Future
  • Agencies briefings from the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps to maintain mission readiness and boost new capabilities
  • Empowering new community partnerships to deploy resilient energy solutions

The agenda topics are subject to change.

Registration Fees

Early registration ends August 15.

  • Full Registration SAME non member $400 to $500
  • *Full Registration SAME Individual Mbr or Sustaining Mbr $300 to $350
  • *Full Registration SAME Small Business $200 to $250
  • *Full Registration SAME Young Professional $150
  • **Full Registration (Government) $75 to $150
  • *Student Member $0
  • Additional Booth passes $200 to $350
  • Icebreaker Only (Tue evening) $45

Golf Tournament – TBD

  • *Golf single registration (SAME members) w/ lunch $150 to $175
  • Golf single registration (non-members) w/ lunch $175 to $200
  • Golf single registration (Government/Student) w/ lunch $100 to $125

* Need to include SAME member number for registration
** Need Government email address

Please email Gerald.Morris@mbakerintl.com with any Golf Tournament questions.

— Thank You to Our Sponsors Support —

Titanium Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Burns & McDonnell logo
Southern Company logo

Gold Sponsor

GM Hill Michael Baker logo
Chelco Power logo

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Nova logo
SCIpact logo

Beach Bonfire Sponsor



Small Business Sponsor

ss&a Design Collective logo

Small Business Sponsor

Golf - Drink Cart Sponsor

Golf Margarita Hole Sponsor

Accommodations.

Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort.

Government and standard room block rates are available. Click the links below to visit the Bluegreen’s Bayside Resort & Spa registration page.

Bluegreen’s Bayside Resort & Spa
4114 Jan Cooley Drive
Panama City Beach, FL  32408

Power Up Energy Expo is the largest industry training event for design, construction, and sustainable energy professionals along the Gulf Coast.

Need assistance with registration?

Contact: Emily DeVore at emily@gulfcoastenergynetwork.org

Sponsor Info

To become a sponsor, please email Dave Robau at dave@gulfcoastenergynetwork.org

  • Titanium Sponsor: (Limit 2) (Lunch sponsor for the Day) ONE LEFT! $10,000

    • 4 Full Conference Registrations
    • First Choice Premium Booth Space
    • Full page color ad in a premium location in the conference program
    • Large Logo & Recognition on Conference Signs, and Event and Post Websites
    • Reserved Table at the Conference Meals
    • 4 Golf Registrations
    • Tee Box Sign

  • Platinum Sponsor: (Limit 10) $6,000

    • 3 Full Conference Registrations
    • Premium Booth Space
    • Full page Ad in the conference program
    • Large Logo & Recognition on Conference Signs, and Event and Post Websites
    • Reserved Table at the Conference Meals
    • Exclusive Sponsor of One of the Following: Breakfast/Breaks or Technical Session Rooms
    • 2 Golf Registrations
    • Tee Box Sign

  • Gold Sponsor: $4,000

    • 2 Full Conference Registrations
    • Exhibition Booth Space
    • ½-page Ad in the conference program
    • Medium Logo on Conference Signs, and Event and Post Websites
    • 1 Golf Registration
    • Tee Box Sign

  • Silver Sponsor: $2,500

    • 1 Full Conference Registration
    • 1/4-page Ad in the conference program
    • Small logo on Conference Signs, and Event and Post Websites
    • 1 Golf Registration
    • Tee Box Sign

  • Bronze Sponsor: $1,250

    • 1 Full Conference Registration or 1 Golf Registration
    • 1/4-page Ad in the conference program
    • Small logo on Conference Signs, and Event and Post Websites

  • Small Business Sponsor: $750

    • 1 Full Conference Registration
    • Business Card Ad in the conference program
    • Small logo on Conference Signs, and Event and Post Websites

  • Icebreaker Sponsor: $3,000

    • 2 Full Conference Registrations
    • Medium Logo on Conference Signs, & Conference Website
    • Sign at Icebreaker

  • Continental Breakfast Sponsor: (Limit 2 Each) $3,000

    • 2 Full Conference Registrations
    • Medium Logo on Conference Signs, & Conference Website
    • Sign at Breakfast that Morning

  • Young Professional Social: (Limit 3 Each) $1,000

    • 1 Full Conference Registrations
    • Medium Logo on Conference Signs, & Conference Website
    • Sign at Social Event

  • Break (Coffee) Sponsor: (One Each Day; Limit 2) $1,500

    • 1 Full Conference Registration,
    • Small Logo on Conference Signs, and Conference Website
    • Sign at Coffee Station

  • Exhibit Booth: $1,500 or $750 for Small Business booth

    • 1 Full Conference Registration

  • Conference Bag Sponsor B Sponsor: (Limit 1) $2,000

    • Opportunity to Provide YOUR company logo on YOUR bag

  • Golf Lunch Sponsor: (Limit 1) $3,500

    • One Golf Team
    • Tee Box Sign
    • Logo on Websites

  • Golf Drink Cart Sponsor: (Limit 1) $2,000

    • One Golf Team
    • Tee Box Sign
    • Logo on Websites

  • Golf Breakfast Sponsor: (Limit 1) $2,250

    • One Golf Team
    • Tee Box Sign
    • Logo on Websites

  • Golf Closest to Pin Sponsor: (Limit 1) $500

    • Tee Box Sign
    • Logo on Websites

  • Golf Longest Drive Sponsor: (Limit 1) $500

    • Tee Box Sign
    • Logo on Websites

  • Golf Tee Box Sponsor: (Limit 1) $200

    • Tee Box Sign

Travel & Hotel Accommodations

Fairfield Inn Panama City Beach

Fairfield Inn & Suites Panama City Beach
7718 Front Beach Road
Panama City Beach, Florida 32407

(850) 234-7422

Start Date: Monday, October 9, 2023
End Date: Friday, October 13, 2023

Last Day to Book: August 15, 2023

Note: A shuttle service will be provided between venue and Fairfield Inn & Suites.

Springhill Suites Panama City Beach

SpringHill Suites Panama City Beach Beachfront
12513 Front Beach Road
Panama City Beach, Florida 32407

(850) 230-6004

Start Date: Monday, October 9, 2023
End Date: Friday, October 13, 2023

Last Day to Book: Sunday, September 10, 2023

Note: A shuttle service will be provided between venue and Springhill Suites.

Fairfield Inn Panama City Beach

Home2Suites
7710 Front Beach Road
Panama City Beach, FL 32407

(850) 740-0660

Start Date: Monday, October 9, 2023
End Date: Friday, October 13, 2023

Last Day to Book: August 15, 2023

Note: A shuttle service will be provided between venue and Home2Suites.

hampton-inn-suites-panama

Hampton Inn & Suites
15505 Front Beach Road
Panama City Beach, FL 32413

(850) 235-4650

Start Date: Monday, October 9, 2023
End Date: Friday, October 13, 2023

Last Day to Book: September 15, 2023

Note: No shuttle service will be provided between venue and Hampton Inn & Suites. Attendees will be need to use personal vehicles or ride share service. If you choose to use personal vehicle, there is an onsite parking fee of $45 at the venue. So, please add the parking fee option to your registration for the event.


Parking

Self Pay & Self Parking is $10.00 for 6 hours or $12.00 for 9 hours on a first come, first serve basis up to 140 cars. Cars can scan the designated QR code when they arrive at the Edgewater venue .

Valet is also available on a limited, first come first serve basis.

Stay Updated

Get notified about registration, new speakers announcements and more. 

Power Up is the largest business event for energy and sustainability professionals along the Gulf Coast. This event will consist of presentations from state, city, county officials, federal and military contracting officials, architectural, engineering, and construction firms, energy services companies and many more. Join us and connect with new clients and other industry professionals, and meet with exhibitors in the Technology Demonstration Area to learn about new business opportunities for large and small businesses.