This year’s Utilities Service Alliance (USA) Winter Conference, held in Tucson, Arizona, at the quintessential Southwest retreat – Hilton’s El Conquistador Resort in the Oro Valley – welcomed one of the largest winter conference gatherings ever held with approximately 200 attendees and guests – which included nuclear executives, nuclear professionals and supplier-partners for three days which, based on feedback from conference attendees, exceeded nearly every expectation.

In fact, survey respondents rated the overall value of the 2025 Winter Conference 4.77 of 5 Stars (5 being the highest) as an effective use of their time and resources.

The 2025 Winter Conference welcomed and celebrated newly installed President Karen Fili, who, along with her team, designed and successfully hosted a nuclear conference which was filled with some of the industry’s most favorite and well-respected events and activities.  One specific conference favorite included the return of the ‘Speed Dating’ activity – which pairs, then quickly rotates members among all supplier-partners to begin (or rekindle) valued business relationships for years to come.

“Almost 400 distinct meetings – including Speed Dates, VCPs, USA Teams – occurred in addition to the individual interactions, meals and more,” said Jim Kitchens, USA’s Director of Contracts, Supplier Relations and Events.  “These events – including the Golf Outing and the Welcome Reception – support USA’s overall goal of growing and facilitating strong relationships between USA members and supplier-partners.”

This conference was also one of the first in recent memory not to be led by John Christensen, who served as President of USA for nearly 8 years, and played a part in the USA’s success over the course of his 17 year career with USA.  A consummate professional, John led USA through a changing nuclear landscape which not only prepared the organization to meet challenges head-on, but to lift the organization and preparing it for this nuclear renaissance the US is experiencing.  He led the organization well and will be missed.

Reflecting on the success of our recent Winter Conference in Tucson, Arizona, President and CEO Karen Fili expressed her gratitude:

“Our 22nd Annual Winter Conference was a testament to the power of collaboration within the USA family. The engaging sessions and invaluable networking opportunities have set a strong foundation for the year ahead. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all for their active participation.  I’m also excited to announce that plans for the Executive Summit are in full swing. We are gathering in Music City USA – Nashville, Tennessee, from June 17-20, 2025, so mark your calendars for what promises to be an impactful and insightful event. Let’s continue to build on our shared commitment to excellence and innovation in the nuclear industry.”

A huge “thank-you” and shout-out to sponsors of the 2025 USA Member & Supplier-Partner Winter Conference, which included:

• Day & Zimmerman  
• Energy Solutions                
• Energy & Process Corporation 
• ANS (Nuclear News/Nuclear Newswire)
• Certrec                
• Paragon                   
• Park Nuclear                   
• BLACKSTARTECH                  
• Graver Technologies                   
• Lost Ball Consulting
• AVANTech
• Fastenal
• CRANE
• Graybar
• AlphaSource
• Waste Control Specialists
• Frham Safety Products, Inc.
• Westinghouse
• Curtiss-Wright

And remember to look for the SAVE THE DATE email issued by USA for the 2025 USA Nuclear Generator & Supplier Executive Summit set for Music City USA at the Grand Hyatt Nashville from Tuesday, June 17, through Friday, June 20, 2025.  Space is limited – confirm your participation early!