GridFWD 2026

Sponsor Information

Reprioritizing Affordability
for modernizing the grid
September 29-30, 2026 in Utah

 

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

  1. Register your attendees by August 28. Ask each of your attendees (employee and guests) to register themselves using the sponsor codes sent to you by Dustin. Click here to start >
  2. Download the preliminary program. This is the updated public-facing PDF program. Take a look, share it widely. A revised and more complete version is coming at the end of June.
  3. Make hotel reservations. Grid Forward has a block of rooms at the Cliff Lodge with low $239/night (plus tax) rate. To be sure you get one, reserve your room now by clicking here or calling 1-800-453-3000 and select option #2. The group code is 2DH996.
  4. Sponsor a Conference Connector activity. Contact Mary Jo NOW if you are interested. These highly visible networking activities are popular and great fun!

General Event Information

Attendance

Grid Forward is planning for 400 – 425 participants this year. Like our past GridFWD events, the attendees will represent several groups:

  • Utility and grid operator executives
  • Executive and technical leadership for providers of solutions for the grid
  • Regulators and government officers
  • NGOs and advocates for energy resiliency, affordability and sustainability

GridFWD 2026 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 2026. We will open the app to sponsors by the end of June, please watch for an email update.

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 solution partners
  • Huddle discussions in small groups
  • Intimate, casual affordability app demos in the Innovation Pavilion
  • New for 2026: four affordability workshops woven into the event
  • 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.

  • Torus facility tours – on Monday September 28, attendees have the option to tour the new manufacturing facility of Torus to learn about their energy storage systems.
  • Conference Connector activities – these invigorating activities unite sponsors and attendees for 90-minute adventure in the surrounding alpine environment, including hikes, a rope course, a mountain coaster and the aerial tram. Contact Mary Jo right away if you want to sponsor one.
  • Networking reception – Day 1, Tuesday September 29, we invite all attendees, speakers and sponsors to our exciting afternoon reception, 5 to 7:30 PM, on the patio of the Cliff Lodge.
  • Breakfast, lunch and breaks – In addition, each day includes a breakfast time, breaks and hosted lunch for further socializing.

Registration

Registration is open! Have your people register by August 28 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.

NEW ASSETS: Promoting GridFWD 2026

Click the button below to download our updated promotion kit (July 8, 2026) for sponsors and start spreading the word. Make sure the people you want to be there know how to register!

Download GridFWD 2026 Sponsor Promo Kit

Sponsor Phishing Notice

Last year at least one GridFWD 2025 sponsor received an email phishing scam offering to download GridFWD 2025 attendee details. The fraudulent email had these fields:

  • 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.

Transportation

Snowbird is a 40-minute drive (traffic permitting) from the Salt Lake City airport. Rental cars and ride sharing services are available at the airport (but harder to access at the lodge). The recommended shuttle company Alta Shuttle offers a round-trip transportation for $114 per person or $57 one-way  (rates include driver gratuity).  To book that, you will need to have your flight information at the time of booking and apply code GRIDFWD for the 10% conference discount.

Hotel and Conference Location

GridFWD 2026 will take place entirely within the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird at the end of Little Cottonwood Canyon. All of its 700 rooms have sweeping mountain or canyon views. Numerous shops and restaurants are in-hotel or a short walk away. Enjoy direct access to world-class hiking, mountain biking or taking in Little Cottonwood Canyon views via the Tram.

Grid Forward has a block of rooms at the Cliff Lodge with low $239/night (plus tax) rate. To be sure you get one, reserve your room now by clicking here or calling 1-800-453-3000 and select option #2. The group code is 2DH996.

Attire

GridFWD 2026 dress code is “west coast business casual.” Also remember to bring any gear you may want for the sponsored Conference Connector activities such as hiking boots. The weather at Snowbird is lovely in late September: 70s by day and cool at night. 

GridFWD 2026 – 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 1: Sponsorship opportunities are closed. All Conference Connector activities are assigned.
  • August 28: Please have all your people registered by this date.
  • September 8: PDF Program finalized – no more changes to the public version.
  • September 11: Plan to send materials to the event by this date. We are still finalizing the best way to receive them so watch for more details. Please email Mary Jo if you have immediate questions.

At the event

  • September 28: Tours of Torus facilities for attendees who registered for them.
  • September 28, 1-5 PM: Hotel conference area is open for sponsors to set up their tables. A registration table will be available for picking up badges.
  • September 29, 7:30 AM: GridFWD 2026 opens, with the registration table, light breakfast and networking. The first plenary sessions begins at 8 AM.
  • September 29, 5 – 7:30 PM: Network reception on the patio of the Cliff House.
  • September 30, 7:30 AM: GridFWD 2026 day 2 begins with light breakfast. The opening plenary starts at 8 AM.
  • September 30, 3:30 PM: GridFWD 2026 is complete.

Thanks to all of our GridFWD 2026 sponsors