Utilities face a growing mix of physical, digital and customer demands. Rising demand, evolving customer expectations, AI integration, new construction and affordability are among the many challenges our customers must navigate.

Addressing these challenges requires more than technology alone. It takes collaboration and a willingness to explore innovative and proven approaches. That's what brings the industry together each year at Itron Inspire.

From Oct. 16-21 in Houston, Texas, more than 1,000 leaders from electric, water, natural gas and smart city organizations will gather to learn from one another and explore solutions to today’s utility challenges. Here's a look at what attendees can expect at Itron Inspire 2026. 

Insights from Industry Leaders

The Knowledge Conference (Oct.18-20) serves as the centerpiece of Itron Inspire, featuring keynote presentations, more than 75 customer- and partner-led breakout sessions and opportunities to connect with industry peers. 

This year’s keynote speakers will share perspectives on how utilities are grappling with the these challenges. Highlights include:

• Ed De Varona, senior vice president of CenterPoint Energy’s electric business, will discuss how the utility is navigating growth, embracing innovation and strengthening grid resiliency.
• Tom Deitrich, president and CEO of Itron, will examine how data, edge intelligence and AI are helping utilities transform operational insight into action. He will also be joined by Mike Delaney, vice president of strategy and innovation at PG&E, for a discussion on how intelligence at the grid edge can simplify home electrification, reduce operational and maintenance costs and improve utilities' ability to detect and anticipate grid conditions.
• Marina Donovan, vice president of global marketing, ESG and public affairs at Itron, will share insights from the 2026 Itron Resourcefulness Report before moderating a panel discussion Matthew Llewellyn, director of field operations, customer experience at San Antonio Water System; Brad Anderson, manager, meter reading technologies at Spire; and Mitch Davda, director, meter operations at Duquesne Light Company. Together, they will explore how utilities are using edge intelligence to optimize operations, improve worker safety and strengthen reliability and resiliency while maximizing the value of existing infrastructure.
• Sunny Wescott, federal emergency response chief meteorologist and executive director for the Geospatial Intelligence Information Sharing and Analysis Center, will discuss how extreme weather is reshaping risk across the utility industry as well as how utilities can mitigate these risks. 

What Utility Leaders Are Talking About
In addition to keynotes and breakout sessions, attendees can explore broader industry trends through a series of Big Picture sessions designed to spark discussion around the challenges and opportunities shaping utility operations.

Resiliency Solutions: Planning Smarter, Responding Faster and Operating Safer
Matt Crye and Danny Petrecca, vice presidents of Resiliency Solutions at Itron, will discuss how Itron's new Resiliency Solutions organization is helping utilities address worker safety, damage prevention, emergency preparedness and digital construction management.

The session will also feature a panel moderated by Dr. Michael Webber, professor at The University of Texas at Austin and expert on the energy-water nexus, with perspectives from Monica Karuturi, executive vice president and general counsel at CenterPoint Energy, and Emeka Igwilo, chief data officer at Southern Company Gas, on how these solutions are being applied in the field.

Modernize, Don’t Just Replace: Unlocking Grid Edge Value
As utilities look to maximize the value of existing infrastructure investments, this session will focus on practical strategies for modernizing systems without starting from scratch.

Moderated by Matt Wakefield, director of information, communication and cyber security at EPRI, the panel will feature Chris Moris, chief grid architect at PG&E; Robert Trask, principal engineer at Salt River Project; and Akilan Kapilan, director industry advisor at Microsoft. The discussion will examine approaches for extending the value of AMI investments, prioritizing high-impact applications and turning utility data into measurable operational outcomes. 

A Fresh Format for Women Who Inspire
One of Itron Inspire's signature programs, Women Who Inspire, will return in a new format that combines networking and conversation in an afternoon tea social and panel discussion.

Moderated by Katrina Polk, vice president of product management at Itron, the session will feature Elvimar Rivas, senior analyst at Con Edison; Shelley Parker, vice president at Alectra Utilities; and Latisha Hill, vice president of community affairs and chief customer officer at Avista. Panelists will share perspectives on leadership, mentorship, innovation and navigating change in today's utility industry.

Explore the Knowledge Center
The Knowledge Center offers attendees an opportunity to experience Itron and partner technologies firsthand through live demonstrations and conversations with product experts. Attendees can see solutions in action and connect directly with the teams responsible for developing technology for today’s utility challenges.

Returning this year by popular demand, the Itron Experience will immerse participants in a virtual utility environment where they must respond to changing conditions, balance competing priorities and make decisions that influence reliability. 

Continue the Conversation
Beyond the conference sessions, attendees can deepen their expertise through forums, working groups and hands-on training opportunities.

Customer forums and working groups, included with a full conference pass, take place on Oct. 18 and Oct. 21 and provide opportunities to share feedback directly with product teams and help shape future solutions.

Pre-conference product training sessions will run from Oct. 16-18 and cover products including OpenWay® Collection Manager, Temetra® and MV-90™ xi.

Join Us in Houston
As utilities continue navigating a rapidly changing landscape, learning from peers facing similar challenges has never been more valuable. Register today and join us in Houston for a week of conversations, new perspectives and practical insights from across the utility industry. We look forward to seeing you there. Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #ItronInspire26.