Recognized as one of the Most Innovative Meetings 2024 by BizBash, Uplight’s inaugural Illuminate Executive Forum featured a blend of learning, networking, and collaboration. It provided a unique opportunity for utilities, regulators, market analysts, and ecosystem partners to explore, strategize, and share clean energy insights.
Illuminate was held on April 23-25, 2024 in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. The exclusive 50-person event started with a field trip to Cultivate Collective, a local organization focused on growing resilient, equitable, and vibrant communities. The guests got an opportunity to explore local sustainable innovation, energy equity, and environmental leadership strategies as the event set the tone for the forum.
During the event, sessions enabled attendees to collaborate on and discuss a variety of emerging topics, from energy equity to the intersection of digitization, electrification, and decarbonization.
Uplight ensured networking opportunities extended beyond formal sessions. Social events were organized at local hotspots like the Lazy Bird speakeasy and renowned restaurants Aba and Duck Duck Goat, encouraging participants to build new, lasting connections.
“It’s equally important to include networking opportunities outside of the formal meeting setting as it is to curate an impactful and thought-provoking meeting agenda,” said Gaby Margas, Uplight’s event planner and founder of Margas Corporate Events. “In each meeting session, guests are able to dedicate their full attention to the topic at hand and provide insight from their professional experience and expertise. Then, post-session, guests can shift to a space that encourages authentic connection, community expansion, and fun! It provides a healthy blend of professional growth with personal engagement.”
The Illuminate Executive Forum is a testament to Uplight’s vision: that through collaboration and innovation, the industry can work together to accelerate the clean energy transition. While clean energy insights were at the core of the forum, the clear focus on networking and collaboration stands out from traditional utility events.
