GridFWD 2025

AI and the Grid: The rising tide of applications and demands

Sponsor Information

Thank you for supporting GridFWD 2025. Here are important recent updates:

Register your attendees by Sep 5. Ask each of your attendees (employee and guests) to register themselves using the sponsor codes sent to you by Mary Jo. Click here to start >
Download the updated program. We have updated our public-facing PDF program on August 20. Take a look, share it widely. We don’t plan to update this again. All subsequent changes and new information will go into the app used by attendees.
Shipping information. Do not ship materials to the conference center, better to ship to your hotel or bring it with you. See email from Mary Jo on September 2.
Sponsor meeting September 5 at 2PM central / noon pacific. Watch for invite from Mary Jo.

Sponsor Phishing Alert

At least one GridFWD 2025 sponsor has received an email phishing scam offering to download GridFWD 2025 attendee details.

From: [name] @ exposignsup.com
Subject: GridFWD 2025
Offer: GridFWD 2025 attendee contact details are now ready. You can connect with
them to explore potential business opportunities…

This email is not from Grid Forward. Do not respond. You will only receive updates and information directly from our gridforward.org domain. If you have any concerns please contact MaryJo@gridforward.org right away.

General Event Information

Attendance

Grid Forward is planning for 450 – 500 participants this year. Like our past GridFWD events, the attendees will represent several groups:

Utility and grid operator executives
AI companies and data center operators
Executive and technical leadership for providers of AI solutions for the grid
Regulators and government officers
NGOs and advocates for energy resiliency, affordability and sustainability

GridFWD 2025 event app

As we have in prior years, we will use an event app to connect all the attendees with up-to-date information to help them to navigate all the content at GridFWD 2025. We will open the app to speakers, discussion leaders and sponsors in mid-September so you can upload your information.

A Full and Rewarding Gathering

Grid Forward is committed to combining timely, relevant content within multiple formats to help attendees learn and share more.

Expert plenaries, presentations and panels with the leading names in the space
Transformation Today case studies led by utilities and their AI partners
Huddle discussions in small groups – 18 planned for 2025
New for 2025: intimate, casual AI app demos in the Innovation Pavilions
Eight emerging tech start-ups in the Grid Innovation Pitch Competition

We have multiple opportunities for sponsors and attendees to connect built into the robust agenda.

AI facility tours – on Monday October 6, attendees have the option to tour the Silicon Valley offices of Microsoft and NVIDIA and hear about AI update in action.
Monday event in Monterey – there are no GridFWD 2025 events planned for attendees that evening, making it a great time to schedule meetings or dinners with your customers and partners.
Conference Connector activities – each day has a 90-minute slot during with attendees can join sponsored activities around the immediate area, such as guided walks, bike rides, kayaking and sightseeing tours.
Networking opportunities – Day 1, Tuesday October 7, we invite all attendees, speakers and sponsors to our exciting evening reception at the Barns at Cooper Solera, a short walk from the conference center. In addition, each day has a networking break and a lunch for further socializing.

Registration

Registration is open! Have your people register by September 5 since space is limited. Each sponsor has been provided with a promo code. If you can’t find the code, please reach out to Mary Jo.

Transportation

The Monterey Airport is just a few miles from the conference center, so no special arrangements will be made. If you or your customers are coming in to San Jose Mineta Intl’ Airport, the Groome Shuttle is a convenient choice.

For attendees attending the Microsoft or NVIDIA tours, a shuttle bus will be available to transfer them from the tours to the Monterey Conference Center. The tours are scheduled to end around 3PM.

Once in Monterey, there is little need for a car. The Conference Connector activities are all close to the hotel. Many restaurants and other attractions are a brisk walk or a quick Uber/Lyft away.

Hotel and Conference Location

GridFWD 2024 will take place in the Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940. We will occupy the entire second floor with three connected ballrooms, multiple meeting rooms and outdoor plazas. The conference center is attached by SkyBridge to the Marriott Monterey, the event hotel. Grid Forward has a room block with a GridFWD 2025 discount – act quickly because those rooms are going fast.

The Portola Hotel is also attached conveniently attached to the conference center.

Grid Forward also has a courtesy room block at the Monterey Beach Hotel. This location is faces out on the bay and is a 5-minute drive from the conference center.

Attire

GridFWD 2025 dress code is “west coast business casual.” Also remember to bring any gear you may want for the sponsored Conference Connector activities. The weather in Monterey is lovely in October: 70s by day and cool at night.

GridFWD 2025 Agenda at a Glance

Click here to download the Full Program.

GridFWD 2025 – key dates for sponsors

Here are some of the key dates for sponsors to note for a successful conference.

Lead-up to the event

August 20: PDF Program finalized – no more changes to the public version.
August 31: Sponsorship opportunities are closed. All Conference Connector activities are assigned.
September 5: Please have all your people registered by this date.
September 22: Sponsors gain early access to the event app to enter information and collateral
September 29: Best date to send materials to Monterey to ensure safe delivery. Please see email from Mary Jo with shipping instructions sent on August 21.
October 3: All materials must be received by GridFWD team in Monterey.

At the event

October 6, 1-3 PM: Tours of Microsoft and NVIDIA facilities for attendees who registered for them.
October 6, 1-5 PM: Conference center is open for sponsors to set up their tables. A registration table will be available for picking up badges.
October 7, 7:30 AM: GridFWD 2025 opens, with the registration table, light breakfast and networking. The first plenary sessions begins at 8 AM.
October 7, 1 – 2:30 PM: The first set of sponsored Conference Connector activities.
October 7, 6 – 7:30 PM: GridFWD 2025 network reception at the Barns at Cooper Molera.
October 8, 7:30 AM: GridFWD 2025 day 2 begins with light breakfast. The opening plenary starts at 8 AM.
October 8, 10:30 AM – noon: The second set of sponsored Conference Connector activities.
October 8, 3:30 PM: GridFWD 2025 is complete.

Promo materials to help get the word out!

Make sure your customers, partners and network joins you at GridFWD 2025

Our speakers and sponsors play a critical role in making sure anyone who needs attend GridFWD 2025 know about the event and how to register. Below you’ll find sample copy and images for your web, email and social media outreach. If you’d like a customized image, please contact David.

Event page: https://gridforward.org/conference/gridfwd-2025/
Program: https://gridforward.org/GridFWD2025-Program

Sample email / LinkedIn copy

We are a proud sponsor of GridFWD 2025 in Monterey, October 6-8. Come join in as we explore “AI and the Grid: The rising tide of applications and demands.”

We all see the dynamic relationship between AI and the grid. GridFWD 2025 will be host to over 100 expert speakers, more than 30 sessions with a panoramic view of AI and the grid, 18 discussion groups, six case studies and much more. You’ll hear the latest data center breakthroughs and get to see AI applications in use today in the new Innovation Pavilion.

Join us and leaders from leading AI companies, utilities, tech innovators and other industry experts this October 6-8 in stunning Monterey, CA.

Get the details in new GridFWD 2025 Program and make your plans now for GridFWD 2025.

Sample short social post

Understand the dynamic between AI and the electric grid – today and going forward. Join us on Oct 6-8 at GridFWD 2025 to connect and share with leading AI companies, utilities, tech innovators and other industry experts. Get the details in GridFWD 2025 Program and make your plans now.