2017 Rockies & West Agenda

Monday, October 16

Start Time	End Time	Information
11:45 AM	12:00 PM	Topgolf – Check in. Board Buses and Depart.
12:00 PM	4:45 PM	Optional Networking Activity (Topgolf)

Tuesday, October 17

Start Time	End Time	Information
7:15 AM	8:15 AM	Networking with the Industry: Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:15 AM	8:30 AM	Welcome & Overview Speaker: Ms. Christy Coleman, Vice President, LDC Gas Forums
8:30 AM	9:30 AM	The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Isn’t A Train Click here for details. A Look At Scientific Innovation Breathing Life Into The Global Energy Market Speaker: James Duncan, President, The International Research Institute for Climate and Society, Columbia University
9:30 AM	10:30 AM	Integrating Natural Gas Infrastructure and Services with Intermittent Renewable Generation Click here for details. Natural gas pipeline deliverability that is properly contracted and nominated will be critical to ensure service reliability as renewable penetration increases.  In the West, natural gas has been and will continue to be the fuel used to meet the variable load-following demand requirements of electric generation.  As electric generation from renewable sources increases, hourly variability of natural gas demand will increase. “Renewable firming,” a product of developing the appropriate pipeline services and infrastructure such as market area gas storage, is required to meet intermittent demand created by renewable generation.  Speaker: Will Brown, Chief Commercial Officer, Kinder Morgan
10:30 AM	11:00 AM	Networking Break
11:00 AM	12:30 PM	Ever Evolving Supply and Demand Dynamics - Go West, Marcellus, Go West!!   Click here for details. The natural gas industry is in the midst of yet another evolution, moving from a supply driven market to one focused on demand growth. This panel will discuss various aspects that are driving the market and changing the market dynamics - Discussion topics will include: * The Dark Horse rises: Denver-Julesburg * Sustained commodity price environment behind recent producer confidence; Rigs on the rise * Rockies producers making the best of a bad situation; efficiency gains enable production growth * Climate Policy and State specific Renewable targets on natural gas demand in the power sector * Competition from Western Canada for PNW market share * Impact of Northeast-to-Midwest expansion projects * Gas to Mexico and it's effect on supply to the region Moderator: Mr. Diego Molina, Director, Sr. Risk Management Trader, Shell Trading Risk Management, LLC Speakers: Mr. Jack Weixel, Senior Director, S&P Global   Mr. Taylor Cavey, Energy Analyst, S&P Global Commodity Insights   Mr. Mason McLean, Energy Analyst, S&P Global Commodity Insights   Mr. Michael Sloan, Managing Director, ICF
12:30 PM	2:30 PM	Evolving in a World that is Flat Click here for details. Discussion will focus on repurposing, redirecting, and multi-purposing energy infrastructure in a world where there is little or no basis. The boom in U.S. shale plays launched a commercial evolution of repurposing that started with REX. As a result of the increase in demand for pipeline capacity, traditional pipelines have turned to reversals and conversion to fulfill market demand. Speaker: Mr. Bill Moler, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Tallgrass Energy
2:30 PM	3:00 PM	Networking Break
3:00 PM	4:00 PM	Infrastructure and Market Development Panel Click here for details. With major changes and constant motion within the Natural Gas Industry, what does the future hold? The Northeast region - Marcellus and Utica continue to supply the country with an influx of gas but what else and where else can we expect to meet the need for supply in the West? During this panel discussion, the panelists will address project updates on REX, the Cheyenne Connector Pipeline and REX Cheyenne Hub Enhancement, LDC market expansion, renewables affecting the Rockies and much more! The DJ Basin is HOT!!  Moderator: Mr. Jerry Guo, Manager, Trading & Origination, Direct Energy Business Marketing Speakers: Mr. Eric Kuhle, Manager, ICF   Ms. Crystal Heter, Segment President, Natural Gas Transportation, Tallgrass Energy
4:00 PM	6:00 PM	Cocktail Reception-Hosted by the Sponsors Click here for details. Please join our hosts, the Corporate Sponsors, at a cocktail reception in your honor. Don’t make your dinner plans too early as hors d’oeuvres and an open bar will be the highlight of this extremely well attended session!

Wednesday, October 18

Start Time	End Time	Information
8:00 AM	8:45 AM	Networking with the Industry: Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:45 AM	9:00 AM	Welcome and Overview Speaker: Ms. Christy Coleman, Vice President, LDC Gas Forums
9:00 AM	10:00 AM	The International Energy Outlook for 2017 Click here for details. The Energy Information Administration projects world energy demand to increase 28% between 2015 and 2040 with much of the increase being met by growth in natural gas production. This presentation will focus on the following topics: •The geographic areas expected to the experience the greatest increase in future energy demand •The main determinants of these increases •How these increases will be met by shifts in fuel shares in light of the economic environment •How natural gas markets are expected to contribute to increased production in liquid fuels •Which countries are expected to further develop their own resources to help meet global natural gas demand Speaker: Dr. Ian Mead, Assistant Administrator for Energy Analysis, Energy Information Administration
10:00 AM	10:30 AM	Networking Break
10:30 AM	12:00 PM	Gas-Fired Electric Generation – How do we design a reliable marketplace? Click here for details. • The FERC initiated the Gas-Electric Harmonization topic in 2012. The goal was to prepare the gas business to meet the increasing demands on natural gas because of gas-fired generation. The industry, through NAESB, worked on this topic until April 2017. This presentation will cover the work that has been done to date, the changes that were accomplished, the changes the failed and, most importantly, what needs to happen next to move us forward toward a reliable future. Speaker: Ms. Sylvia Munson, President, Contents Under Pressure

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Official Visa Letter of Invitation Request

You must register as a Standard Conference Attendee and payment must be received prior to requesting a visa invitation letter.  

It is important to note that a visa is required for the purpose of visiting the United States from most countries. Advance travel planning and early visa application are critical to allow for lengthy processing times. For more information on how to apply for your visa and the time required for visa processing, please contact the Consular Section of the Embassy or Consulate nearest you. For more details and a list of consular offices is available online at https://www.usembassy.gov.

To request an Official Letter of Invitation for your visa process, please click here to email LDC Gas Forums.

Prior to requesting an Official Letter of Invitation, you MUST meet all of the Requirements below:

Visa Requests and International Attendee Requirements:
International attendees (from countries other than US, Canada or Mexico) must meet the following requirements to be considered for attendance and/or Visa invitation letters:
1. Individuals must be registered as a Standard Conference Attendee, paid and approved, to be considered for visa invitation letters.
2. Registrations must originate from a recognized company email address. (Not Gmail, Yahoo, MSN, etc)
3. Attendee must be representing an established and recognized (searchable) company with connections to the Natural Gas Industry.
4. Registration fee must be paid in full via wire transfer so funds can be verified before the registration will be considered for approval and Visa invitation letter forwarded.  (Note Cancellation Policy regarding refunds.)

2016 Rockies & West Agenda

Monday, October 10

Start Time	End Time	Information
12:00 PM	12:15 PM	Topgolf – Check in. Board Buses and Depart.

Tuesday, October 11

Start Time	End Time	Information
7:30 AM	8:45 AM	Networking with the Industry: Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:45 AM	9:00 AM	Welcome & Overview Speaker: Ms. Christy Coleman, Vice President, LDC Gas Forums
9:00 AM	10:00 AM	Capacity Constraints May Drive Volatility in Half-a-Vortex Winter Click here for details. •The Rockies are Emerging as the supply region to watch as renewables combine with natural gas to support uninterrupted power demand. •Heading into the winter of 2016-2017 we all want to know which winter will show up. •Supply continues to weigh on prices of natural gas when compared to historic levels. Will this winter finally show more supply driven volatility, or are we seeing a systemic shift in natural gas demand? •CFE has emerged as an impressive system builder. Will Mexico demand impact California supply? •Permian, Marcellus, Aliso Canyon, Eastern Salt-Dome Storage…what do they have in common? Speaker: James Duncan, President, The International Research Institute for Climate and Society, Columbia University
10:00 AM	10:30 AM	Networking Break
10:30 AM	12:00 PM	Infrastructure and Market Development Click here for details. With major changes and constant motion within the Natural Gas Industry, what does the future hold? The Northeast region - Marcellus and Utica continue to supply the country with an influx of gas but what else and where else can we expect to meet the need for supply in the West? During this panel discussion, the panelists will address project updates on REX, LDC market expansion, Virtual pipeline capabilities, Ethane: Rejection to Recovery and it's impact on the Rockies and MUCH, MUCH MORE.... Moderator: Mr. Kevin Headrick, Director, West Region, CenterPoint Energy Mobile Energy Solutions, Inc. Speakers: Ms. Crystal Heter, Segment President, Natural Gas Transportation, Tallgrass Energy   Mr. David Lavoie, Vice President of Business Development, NG Advantage LLC   Ms. Kelly Van Hull, Director, Energy Analytics, RBN Energy LLC   Mr. Kevin Petak, Retired, ICF
12:00 PM	2:00 PM	Back to the Future Click here for details. •Shift back to Demand Pull from •Producer Push supported projects •LDC Role going forward •Future changes for the industry •Technology and it’s changing role going forward Speaker: Mr. Matt Sheehy, Senior Vice President and Chief Commerical Officer, Tallgrass Energy Development
2:00 PM	2:30 PM	Networking Break
2:30 PM	4:00 PM	Politics, Prices and more.... Supply and Demand Dynamics Click here for details. The natural gas industry is in the midst of yet another evolution, moving from a supply driven market to one focused on demand growth. This panel will discuss various aspects that are driving the market and changing the market dynamics - Discussion topics will include: - Northeast Production - Continues to head West, North, South and Beyond - Midstream development trends, natural gas storage values, export lead growth (LNG and Mexico) and prices and volatility - Climate Policy and State Renewable targets on natural gas demand in the power sector - US relations and related energy issues in Canada and abroad - US Presidential Election Results and the possible effect on the Industry - Spreading the positive message about natural gas in the current negative environment Moderator: Mr. Diego Molina, Director, Sr. Risk Management Trader, Shell Trading Risk Management, LLC Speakers: Mr. Thad Walker, No longer there, S&P Global Commodity Insights   Mr. Michael Sloan, Managing Director, ICF   Andrew C. Browning, President, Western States and Tribal Nations Natural Gas Initiative   Mr. Charles Bird, Principal, Earnscliffe Strategy Group
4:00 PM	6:00 PM	Cocktail Reception – Hosted by the Sponsors Click here for details. Please join our hosts, the Corporate Sponsors, at a cocktail reception in your honor. Don’t make your dinner plans too early as hors d’oeuvres and an open bar will be the highlight of this extremely well attended session!

Wednesday, October 12

Start Time	End Time	Information
7:45 AM	8:45 AM	Networking with the Industry: Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:45 AM	9:00 AM	Welcome & Overview Speaker: Ms. Christy Coleman, Vice President, LDC Gas Forums
9:00 AM	10:00 AM	North American Energy: More Interconnected than ever before Click here for details. The energy industry is constantly evolving, becoming more interconnected across commodities and across geographies. To understand the future for natural gas prices in North America, we need to more fully understand oil and liquids dynamics, as well as global supply/demand trends. Knowing that the only constant is change – whether it be new infrastructure, new environmental regulations or new global trade patterns – the need for a robust risk management strategy is more critical than ever before. Speaker: Ms. Dawn M. Constantin, VP Regulatory Affairs, ​Partnerships & Low Carbon, bp
10:00 AM	10:30 AM	Networking Break
10:30 AM	12:00 PM	Gas Buyers' Panel Click here for details. Our gas buyer panelists will give you solid and valuable insight into what is currently working, what they have learned from volatility and what they will do differently next time. Topics of discussion to include: 1. Natural gas prices have rebounded from the lows we discussed last year.  How did this affect your business last year and how do you think it will change it going forward into 2017? 2. How will changes to the Southwestern Energy markets affect your business going into 2017?  Specifically, a. The Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) b. Increases in renewable generation in the SW markets 3. What impact does the current gas storage levels have on your buying decisions? When will the natural gas industry see a recovery in storage arbitrage? a. Aliso Canyon 4. When will the North American natural gas market see an increase/decrease in industrial demand (in reaction to low prices)? 5. How will weather affect your natural gas buying and price volatility? 6. What buying or pricing strategies are you currently employing, for instance, what if any long- term purchases are you making or how are you managing hedging activities? 7. How will coal retirements and exports to Mexico affect your future gas buying decisions? 8. What factors, other than price, influence your decision to choose one supplier over another? Moderator: Mr. Darryl Kennedy, Sr. Director Wholesale Gas Origination, NRG Energy Inc. Speakers: Mr. Kent Price, EIM Project Manager, SRP   Mr. Brent Mishler, Gas Trader, SoCalGas   Cathy Ikeuchi, SR Manager Energy Procurement, Albertsons Companies   Mr. Dennis Burke, Administrative Analyst, Long Beach Gas & Oil Dept

2016 LDC Gas Forums Rockies & West Attendees

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Social Functions

2025 Social Functions
Networking is the secret key to unlocking success. It isn’t just networking, but building relationships that matter. It all begins with having fun and meeting new people! Join us for these fun social events that will help you expand your career by building relationships and friendships that will last a lifetime!

Wednesday Evening Attendee Welcome Reception

When: Monday, August 11, 2025 (See Agenda for exact time)
Time & Location: TBD (See Agenda for exact time)

Stop by and join us for drinks and networking! Open to all registered attendees.

Networking with the Industry: Registration and Continental Breakfast

When: Monday-Wednesday, August 11-13, 2025 (See Agenda for exact time)

Don’t miss out on this key networking time! Every morning before the conference sessions start, grab some coffee and a quick bite, then start mingling with other attendees!

Keynote Breakfast

When: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (See Agenda for exact time)

Check out who’s at your table at the Keynote Breakfast on Tuesday morning! See someone you’ve been trying to talk with? Grab the chair next to them! A great chance to have extended conversation!

Cocktail Reception

When: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (See Agenda for exact time)

The Bar is Open! Immediately after the networking activity on Tuesday, it’s Party Time! Drinks and food and great networking! 

Photos & Videos

See photos & videos from the Rockies & West Forums!

Smugmug Photos: Click below to see photos captured at the Rockies & West Forums throughout the years! To download the picture for free, click the down arrow icon at the bottom right of the picture.
2019: Rockies & West Forum Photos & Activity Photos
2018: Rockies & West Forum Photos & Activity Photos
2017: Rockies & West Forum Photos & Activity Photos
2016: Rockies & West Forum Photos & Activities Photos
2015: Rockies & West Forum Photos & Activities Photos

Recap Videos: Check out the videos put together from networking activity fun and the overall forum!
2015: Recap Video, Hollywood Hills Hike 
2017: Tuesday Recap Video, Topgolf Video
2018: SoCal Brewery Bus Tour Recap, Monday Reception Recap, Tuesday Morning Recap & Tuesday Recap Video,
2019: Wine & Beer Tour Recap, Monday Reception Recap & Tuesday Recap

Social Media: See the latest pictures, Forum videos and posts! Stay up to date on insight, news, & important information from the Rockies & West Forums. Give us a follow!

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2012 Rockies & West Agenda

Monday, October 08

Start Time	End Time	Information
8:45 AM	9:15 AM	Check-in & Departure for Golf, Spa & Tour Activities

Tuesday, October 09

Start Time	End Time	Information
7:30 AM	9:15 AM	Networking with the Industry: Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:15 AM	9:30 AM	Welcome & Overview Speaker: Ms. Christy Coleman, Vice President, LDC Gas Forums
9:30 AM	10:30 AM	Morning Keynote Address: Natural Gas Industry Update Click here for details. Natural Gas Industry Update Natural gas market trends impacting the West. Interstate natural gas pipeline industry update. Speaker: Mr. Lee Hobbs, Senior Vice President & General Manager, TransCanada US Pipeline Services, LLC (TC USA PL Services)
10:30 AM	11:00 AM	Break
11:00 AM	12:30 PM	Industry Updates ~ Regulatory, Financial, Elections & Political Impacts Click here for details. 2012 is a pivotal year and the political landscape could dramatically affect the pace of regulatory action, as well as potentially the supply of shale gas for the market. Hear how the possible electoral scenarios at both the executive and legislative branches could impact the natural gas business and what to expect and how to make plans for action in 2013. Dodd-Frank ~ there are still so many questions to be asked and answered regarding the sweeping legislation of this Bill. How will it continue to mold the future of Natural Gas? Shale Regulations- with the looming rules from the BLM there could be major changes in the shale markets for the West region on Federal lands. Learn how these regulatory changes could affect gas prices in 2013. Moderator: Ms. Caroline L. Gentry, Vice President, Business Development, Argus Media Inc. Speakers: Mr. Mark Stultz, Senior Vice President, Regulatory Policy & Communications, North American Gas & Power, BP Oil Co   Mr. John Melby, Products and Services, CME Group   Mr. Shahrokh Hessami, Director, Market & Credit Risk, Risk & Audit, Pacific Gas & Electric Company - PG&E
12:30 PM	2:30 PM	Luncheon & Keynote Address: It’s a Supply-Rich Environment – What Happens Next? Click here for details. It’s a Supply-Rich Environment – What Happens Next? Even in a supply-rich environment, the inevitable question of what happens next still resonates from the board room to the trade floor. Incentive to produce in a low-priced environment is waning. Will demand step up to respond to long term supply certainty? What happens next may dictate how volatile prices could be over the next 12 months. At historically low prices, the market is unlikely to remain static. Speaker: James Duncan, President, The International Research Institute for Climate and Society, Columbia University
3:00 PM	4:30 PM	Project & Storage Updates for the West - “Gas is on the move…but to where?” Click here for details. Natural Gas routes are rapidly switching from West to East and North to South, how will this impact the West Coast markets and which pipeline & storage projects are moving forward? Hear from our panelists regarding updates on Pipelines and transportation designs in the region, along with an analysis of storage and hedging for the greatest efficiencies for your company! These could be the missing pieces to the puzzle ~ you won’t want to miss it!! Moderator: Mr. Tom Ruck, Tom Ruck Consulting Speakers: Mr. Anders Hyde, Lead Analyst, West Desk, S&P Global Commodity Insights   Mr. Kevin Conneighton, Managing Director, Midstream, Pivotal Energy Development   Mr. Scott Smith, President & CEO, Merchant Energy Holdings, LLC   Mr. Chuck Sawyer, VP Project Development, Peregrine Midstream Partners, LLC
4:30 PM	6:30 PM	Cocktail Reception – Hosted by the Sponsors

Wednesday, October 10

Start Time	End Time	Information
7:30 AM	8:30 AM	Networking with the Industry: Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 AM	8:45 AM	Welcome & Overview Speaker: Ms. Christy Coleman, Vice President, LDC Gas Forums
8:45 AM	10:15 AM	Supply & Demand Issues - “So Much Gas…Where is the Demand?” Click here for details. The shale revolution continues; therefore we continue to have an oversupply of natural gas…..but for how long? The oversupply of Natural Gas and the lack of demand of gas has caused the price of gas recently to be at a 10-year low, with a slight rebound as we head into Winter. How is this affecting the Rockies/West, U.S. and the World - and what can we expect in 2013 and beyond? How are NGLs “changing the gas investment game”? LNG Exports from the West Coast? Natural Gas Vehicle Fleets? Coal Power Plant Retirements to be replaced by Gas Power? Hear from the experts and stay in touch with what could make or break your business this year! Moderator: Mr. Jason Tate, Vice President, West Region, BP Oil Co Speakers: Mr. Rick Margolin, Senior Analyst, Genscape, Inc.   Mr. David Greely, Managing Director, Global Investment Research Division, Goldman Sachs
10:15 AM	10:45 AM	Break
10:45 AM	12:00 PM	Gas Buyers' Panel Click here for details. Our gas buyer panelists will give you solid and valuable insight into what is currently working, what they have learned and what they will do differently next time. Moderator: Mr. Sean Sullivan, Industry editor, S&P Global Market Intelligence Panelists: Mrs. Rosalie Roth, DO NOT CALL, Southern California Edison, An Edison International Co.   Mr. Randy S. Friedman, Director, Gas Supply, NW Natural   Mr. Brent R. Mishler, Gas Trader, SoCalGas   Mr. Michael Kowalewski, Acting Director, Electric Fuels, Pacific Gas & Electric Company - PG&E