MEA roundtable to focus on utility supply chain strategy

Utility planning and procurement leaders will meet in Minneapolis Sept. 16-17 for an MEA Energy Association roundtable hosted by Xcel Energy. The event will center on AI, data center-driven demand, workforce issues and procurement strategy as utilities contend with faster change across their supply chains.

Why it matters: - Utilities are facing heavier demand growth, new technology pressures and tighter supply chain conditions at the same time. - The roundtable is designed to help planning, sourcing and procurement teams share practical responses to those shifts. - The event could shape how utilities manage materials, forecasting and supplier relationships as large infrastructure needs accelerate.

What happened: - MEA Energy Association said the Planning, Sourcing & Procurement Roundtable will be held Sept. 16-17, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. - Xcel Energy is hosting the two-day event. - The roundtable will bring together professionals from electric and natural gas utilities, manufacturers, suppliers and higher education. - The event is focused on utility planning, sourcing, procurement and materials management.

The details: - The agenda includes artificial intelligence in procurement and planning. - The agenda also covers data centers and other large-scale infrastructure projects driving demand. - Other topics include workforce trends and talent development, demand planning and forecasting, supplier relationships and procurement strategies, and industry collaboration and operational best practices. - Participants will hear from utilities, manufacturers, suppliers and academic leaders. - The format includes presentations, peer discussions, collaborative problem-solving and open discussions. - Stacey Bonine, vice president of program services at MEA Energy Association, said the current environment requires organizations to think differently about planning and procurement. - Bonine said the roundtable is meant to help participants learn from one another and take practical solutions back to their organizations. - The event is open to MEA members and professionals in utility planning, sourcing, procurement, supply chain management and materials management. - Registration information is available at MEA energy association procurement page. - MEA said it provides in-person learning, webinars, more than 400 online technical courses, safety assessments, evaluator training, operator qualification compliance tools and leadership development programs.

Between the lines: - The program blends technical content with peer networking, signaling that utilities want both operational advice and cross-industry comparison. - The inclusion of AI and data centers suggests utility procurement teams are being pushed to plan for faster, less predictable demand changes. - The roundtable’s mix of utility, supplier and academic voices points to a broader attempt to align planning decisions with workforce and infrastructure realities.

What's next: - Attendees will use the Minneapolis event to compare practices and gather takeaways they can apply in their own organizations. - MEA said the roundtable will continue to offer an environment for relationships and discussions that extend beyond the event. - Registration remains open through the MEA procurement website.