East (North America) Summit 2026
Vertical AI, Digitalization, and the Future of Utilities
The WE3 East (North America) Summit 2026 brings the region’s energy and utility leadership together in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Duke Energy headquarters.
Presented by SEW.AI and hosted by Duke Energy, this invite-only leadership forum is designed for senior utility executives, industry innovators, and technology leaders across the U.S. East Coast. The summit focuses on practical dialogue, peer exchange, and collaboration around the priorities shaping the future of energy and water in the region.
Building on the strong engagement and outcomes of the 2025 edition, WE3 East 2026 continues to serve as a trusted platform for leaders driving real progress across the utility ecosystem.
- Be at the epicenter of energy and utilities transformation alongside Duke Energy and regional utilities
- Engage in bold, regionally grounded conversations that shape strategy and innovation
- Experience future-ready technologies through immersive showcases and solution tracks
- Contribute to shaping policy, partnership, and progress across the utility value chain
- Learn from the regional success stories and journeys that are shaping partnerships and progress in a connected, AI-powered future
2 Days of Immersive Learning & Networking
30 +
Sessions
50 +
Utilities
150 +
Executives
Register for WE3 East 2026
May 12 - 13, 2026 | Charlotte, North Carolina
AI TransformationKey Themes of Discussion
- Scaling AI Innovation for Impact
- The Rise of Vertical AI
- Connected Experience Platforms
- Grid & Infrastructure Modernization
- Next-Gen AI Customer Experiences
- Connecting eMobility & Utilities
- Digital Trust & Security in a Connected Utility World
- Smart Water Management: AI-Enabled Efficiency
- The Future Workforce: Skills, Roles & AI Integration
- Leading Change: Innovation, Leadership & Culture
- Building Resilience in an Uncertain World
- Future-Proofing Utility Business Models
THOUGHT LEADERSSpotlight on Leadership
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Deepak GargChairman/Founder/Co-CEOSEW.AI
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Brian BentzPresident and CEOAlectra Utilities
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Raied StanleyVP & CIOSouthwest Gas Corporation
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Julia ZhuChief Digital & Innovation OfficerAlectra Utilities
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Thomas ArrudaChief Information OfficerDominion Energy
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Ben GordonChief Information OfficerSDGE
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Michael O'DonnellCo-CEOSEW.AI
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Paul LauChief Executive OfficerSMUD
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Gibs Saint PaulDirector - Customer ModernizationSalt River Project
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Retha HunsickerFormer Senior Vice PresidentDuke Energy
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Jody AllisonVice President - Customer Transformation, Xcel Energy Xcel Energy
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Brandy BoldenChief Customer OfficerSMUD
VENUEHotel and Stay
WE3 East
12 - 13 May, 2026
Charlotte,
North Carolina
Iconic Moments From WE3 2025
WE3 East Recap 2025
Last April in Richmond, Virginia, WE3 East (North America) 2025 brought together utility leaders from organizations including Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Georgia Power, DTE, Alliant Energy, and Liberty, spotlighting how Vertical AI and connected platforms are driving real transformation.
Looking ahead to WE3 East (North America) Summit 2026, the focus shifts to deeper execution, enterprise-wide adoption, and peer-led collaboration as utilities scale what works.
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WE3 is a global platform that extends the vision of the Summit worldwide, bringing conversations on energy, water, and emerging technologies closer to leaders everywhere. Each experience blends global perspective with local priorities, creating a stage for bold ideas, proven strategies, and visionary thinking. Designed for action, these gatherings turn dialogue into collaboration and insights into strategies that move the industry forward.
Where People and AI Unite to Transform Energy, Water, and the World
WE3 isn’t just a summit — it’s a global movement turning strategy into action across utilities and beyond. For over five years, WE3 has brought together utility CEOs, policymakers, technologists, and forward-thinkers — all united by a single mantra: Engage. Educate. Empower.
This is where human leadership meets intelligent systems.Where big challenges find real solutions.And where the future of energy and water is built — together.
WE3 is the only global event that brings together energy and utility leaders with AI experts to solve real problems — together. It’s not about buzzwords or big speeches. It’s about sharing ideas, learning from each other, and finding practical ways to use AI and human insight to improve how energy and water reach communities. If you want to be part of a community that’s making change happen — not just talking about it — WE3 is where you need to be.
Download The WE3 App
The WE3 Summit App is your gateway to insights from global industry thought leaders. It brings together perspectives on technology, sustainability, and innovation. Engage with influential voices as they inspire action and share real-life examples, driving us toward a more sustainable and prosperous future.
