ORANGE COUNTY, California, September 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

On the 14^th to the 16^th of November 2012, 65 of North America's foremost executives from across the utilities space will convene at the Fairmont Newport Beach, California, for what promises to be the best-attended utilities event of the year - GDS International's tenth Next Generation Utilities US (NGU US) summit.

Electricity producers are an essential source of innovation, accounting for all of the power generated, transmitted and distributed in the US. With the sector quickly expanding after the recession, pushing the envelope to support growth and stay ahead of the pack is the top priority.

With this in mind, GDS International's globally renowned summits provide cutting-edge solutions to the most pressing issues faced by executives in the utilities space. Making full use of every minute, the summit's highly effective 'tried and tested' business model ensures enormous ROI and value for money. Comprising lively 'working-lunch' roundtable discussions with exciting peer-led panel discussions and closed-door meetings, this year's summit promises to eclipse last year's event, and indeed, all other utility summits in the region.

In attendance at this year's summit will be: Ed White, VP Customer & Business Strategy for National Grid; Michael Pesin, Chief Technology Advisor for Seattle City Light; Hilda Pinnix-Ragland, VP Corporate Public Affairs for Duke Energy; Bill Johnson, Executive Director Electric Operations for the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (KCBPU); John McDonald, VP Technical Services for Exelon / PECO; and Bill Mintz, Director of Smart Grid Technology for Southern Co; whilst some of the esteemed sponsors scheduled for attendance include: Itron Telvent/Schneider Electric, ICF International, Alstom Grid and Utilidata.

Becky Blalock, Partner/CIO Southern Company, Advisory Capital, was an attendee at last year's summit. In her own words: "I really like the whole process that has been set up to facilitate the sharing of ideas and knowledge at this summit. Key decision makers from some of the major utilities in this country were able to share with you hands-on experience about things that worked for them and the things that didn't work for them…this is a tremendous investment."

In agreement, Harry Hutchinson, VP Customer Service Operations for Southern California Edison, commented: "The NGU summit is a great collaboration and networking initiative. The panels and sessions throughout the whole event were very relevant."

Tom McDonnell, Next Generation Utilities US Summit Director for GDS International - the global events company behind the event - says: "In today's troubled economic climate, the need to engage with customers in the utilities sector is in the midst of unprecedented transformation. Several factors are driving fundamental change: Liberalization and increased competition, strategic mergers and acquisitions, regulatory pressure around compliance and security, systems reliability, convergence, electricity and renewable concerns."

He continues: "The Next Generation Utilities North America summit will once again serve as an arena for senior-level executives to engage in clear and focused dialogue with their peers and examine their management objectives in a relaxed and vibrant environment; and ultimately take a closer look as to what technologies and services are going to help to stay competitive."

For more information, please visit: http://www.ngusummitna.com

About GDS International

GDS International is one of the most innovative events and media companies worldwide - and a globally renowned producer of business-to-business summits, conferences, online information and advisory group gatherings. Founded in 1993, GDS International specializes in meeting the B2B marketing needs of our clients. Having a strong presence in mature industrial sectors but a finger on the pulse of emerging markets - as well as up-and-coming B2B business verticals - means we are perfectly placed to capitalize on the exciting developments brought about by the advent of a globalised economy. Our value proposition is simple: we deliver tangible business results from world-class events.

http://www.gdsinternational.com

Contact:
Kimberley Hogarth
kimberley.hogarth@gdsinternational.com
+44-1179-261-420

SOURCE GDS International