MEA to host utility planning and procurement roundtable in Minneapolis

MEA Energy Association will bring utility, manufacturing, supplier and academic leaders to Minneapolis on Sept. 16-17, 2026, for a roundtable focused on AI, data center growth, workforce pressure and procurement strategy. The event aims to help utilities share practical approaches to supply chain planning as demand and infrastructure needs rise.

Why it matters: - Utilities are facing faster demand growth, new technology demands and more pressure on supply chains. - The roundtable is designed to help planning and procurement leaders compare strategies and leave with practical ideas they can use at their own organizations. - The event comes as data centers and large infrastructure projects are reshaping utility load forecasts and sourcing needs.

What happened: - MEA Energy Association will host the Planning, Sourcing & Procurement Roundtable on Sept. 16-17, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. - Xcel Energy is hosting the event. - The roundtable will bring together professionals from electric and natural gas utilities, manufacturers, suppliers and higher education. - Stacey Bonine, vice president of program services at MEA Energy Association, said the changing environment requires organizations to think differently about planning and procurement.

The details: - The agenda includes artificial intelligence in procurement and planning. - Sessions will cover data centers and large-scale infrastructure projects driving demand. - The program also includes workforce trends and talent development. - Additional topics include demand planning and forecasting, supplier relationships, procurement strategies, industry collaboration and operational best practices. - Attendees will hear from utilities, manufacturers, suppliers and academic leaders. - The format includes presentations, peer discussions and collaborative problem-solving. - The event is open to MEA members and professionals in utility planning, sourcing, procurement, supply chain management and materials management. - Registration is available at MEAenergy.org/procurement.

Between the lines: - MEA is positioning the roundtable as both a conference and a working forum for benchmarking and relationship-building. - The topic mix suggests utilities are looking for guidance on both near-term procurement pressure and longer-term operating shifts. - The emphasis on peer-to-peer discussion signals that operators may value shared practice over formal presentations alone.

What's next: - Utilities and other attendees will gather in Minneapolis in mid-September to trade ideas and compare approaches. - The event is expected to surface practical responses to AI adoption, workforce gaps and supply chain volatility. - MEA will continue offering in-person learning, webinars and technical training through its broader professional development programs.

The bottom line: - MEA is convening utility supply chain leaders at a time when planning, sourcing and procurement are becoming more complex and more central to grid and infrastructure readiness.