About UPMG
The Utility Purchasing Management Group (UPMG) is a leading industry association dedicated to advancing procurement and materials management across the utility sector. Serving professionals in gas, electric, and telecommunications utilities—including investor-owned, government-owned, and consumer-owned entities— UPMG fosters the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and best practices to drive operational excellence.
Through its annual conference, taking place September 13-16, 2026 in Austin, UPMG provides a premier platform for education and networking, addressing emerging industry challenges and showcasing innovations from both utility leaders and supplier partners. The event features expert insights and thought leadership, and its virtual format in recent years has expanded accessibility and broadened participation across the sector.
By The Numbers
100+
Years Supporting the Utility Industry
14
Participating Utilities in Benchmarking Survey
1
Conference to Attend this Year
Events - 2026
For over a century, UPMG has hosted its flagship annual conference—recognized as the premier gathering for utility procurement and supply chain professionals. We look forward to seeing you at UPMG 2026!
Now in its 101st year, the conference offers unparalleled opportunities for executive networking and delivers forward-looking insights from a diverse array of industry luminaries. Attendees gain access to cutting-edge thought leadership and strategic perspectives shaping the future of the utility sector.
Water Bottle Sponsor
Connecting people and places with infrastructure you can count on. At Valmont, we design and manufacture what matters. From transmission and substation structures that bring energy to every corner of the globe to light poles that illuminate public staces, we build the infrastructure that keeps communities connected, safe, and thriving.
Safety Sponsor
Ardmore Power Logistics is a third-party logistics company focused on providing freight management services to the energy industry.
The energy industry, and the power industry in particular, have undergone a decade of constant change.
Deregulation, reregulation and consolidation have challenged energy companies to employ creative cost control strategies including outsourcing non-core functions.
Transferring non-core competencies, such as transportation, to capable partners can be an effective way to control costs. Ardmore Power Logistics was formed to give the energy industry a service-focused, industry-specific partner capable of creating value in the transportation link of the supply chain. By leveraging our resources, partnerships and the dedicated logistics experts on our team, we ensure freight is handled efficiently and cost-effectively.
Women in Utilities Breakfast Sponsor
Ferguson Industrial is one of North America's largest providers of PVF and MRO supplies and services supporting power, chemical, general manufacturing, pulp and paper, oil and gas, and mining industries.
We provide industry-leading products vetted by our comprehensive quality management and inspection programs, and every supplier we work with is subject to rigorous prequalification testing. Our knowledgeable associates and strategic network of locations allow us to provide problem-solving expertise, on-time delivery and unmatched technical support.
Ferguson Industrial services include thermoplastic pipe fabrication, valve automation, supply chain management and project management.
For more information, visit fergusonindustrial.com
Meals Sponsor
Howard Industries is the leading manufacturer of liquid-filled distribution transformers for the utility and commercial/industrial markets.
Other utility products include small and medium power transformers, network transformers, voltage regulators, junction enclosures, sectionalizing equipment, and transformer components.
Other Howard products include computers and technology solutions, medical technology products, and lighting and ballast products. We also have a transportation division which operates a fleet of 150 tractor-trailers.
Barista Coffee Station Sponsor
AlixPartners is a results-driven global consulting firm that specializes in helping businesses successfully capitalize on opportunities and address critical challenges. Our clients include companies, corporate boards, law firms, investment banks, private equity firms, and others. Founded in 1981, AlixPartners is headquartered in New York and has offices in more than 20 cities around the world.
Gold Sponsor
GEP® delivers AI-powered procurement and supply chain solutions that help global enterprises — including the world’s leading energy and utilities companies — become more agile and resilient, operate more efficiently and effectively, and build a sustainable competitive advantage.
In the energy and utilities sector, GEP helps organizations navigate volatile markets, rising demand for renewable energy, regulatory pressures, and decarbonization goals. Our industry expertise enables utilities to modernize their supply chains, improve supplier collaboration, enhance visibility into critical assets, and optimize costs while driving sustainability. To learn more, visit www.gep.com/industries/energy-utilities
Silver Sponsors
The Garland Company, Inc.® is one of the worldwide leaders of quality, high-performance roofing and building envelope solutions for the commercial, industrial and institutional markets. For over 130 years, Garland has continually developed unique product and service offerings that have raised the bar of performance while exceeding the individual needs of customers throughout the world. Today, our network of over 220 local building envelope professionals is ideally positioned throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom to provide quality building envelope solutions for single and multi-property facilities. The Garland Company Inc., headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company.
Power Contracting is a turnkey utilities solutions provider that builds, maintains and grows infrastructure across the western half of the United States. We continuously expand our offerings to supply our customers with the ideas, technology, experience, manpower, and equipment to perform any job.
Clarity is a professional services firm that offers Cost Recovery Audits and Contract Administration consulting aimed at cutting over payments. We work with clients and suppliers to bring clarity to every financial contract.
Stella-Jones Inc. (TSX: SJ) is a leading North American manufacturer of products focused on supporting infrastructure that are essential to the delivery of electrical distribution and transmission, and the operation and maintenance of railway transportation systems. It supplies the continent’s major electrical utilities companies with treated wood poles and crossarms, steel poles and lattice towers, as well as North America’s Class 1, short line and commercial railroad operators with treated wood railway ties. It also supports infrastructure with industrial products, namely timbers for railway bridges, crossings and construction, marine and foundation pilings, and coal tar-based products. Additionally, the Company manufactures and distributes premium treated residential lumber and accessories to Canadian and American retailers for outdoor applications, with a significant portion of the business devoted to servicing Canadian customers through its national manufacturing and distribution network.
Welcome Reception Sponsor
“Quality Steel Poles. Delivered.”
Founded in 1958, TAPP is a family-owned company devoted to manufacturing quality steel structures for the utility, communications, OEM, and custom industries. Our best-in-class customer service, combined with our 1.5 million square foot state-of-the art manufacturing plant has allowed us to serve some of the largest utility and communication companies in the industry.
Evening Reception Sponsor
Headquartered in Highland Heights, Kentucky, Prysmian North America leads the world in the energy and telecom wire and cable industry. Our cables are used throughout the country, including in iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and SoFi Stadium. Serving utilities, telecom providers, and industrial markets, Prysmian delivers high-performance cable solutions for power transmission, renewable energy, and broadband infrastructure. With multiple manufacturing facilities and R&D centers throughout the U.S. and Canada, the company supports critical infrastructure and innovation across the region. Prysmian is committed to sustainability, digital transformation, and building a more connected, electrified future. To learn more about Prysmian, please visit na.prysmian.com, call (859) 572-8000, or contact your sales representative.
Platinum Sponsor and Name Badge and Lanyard Sponsor
ProcureAbility is the leading provider of procurement and supply chain services, offering advisory, managed services, digital, staffing, and recruiting solutions. For nearly 30 years, we have focused exclusively on helping clients elevate their procurement function.
We combine leading methodologies, analytics, market intelligence, and industry benchmarks with our uniquely flexible and customizable service delivery model. Global organizations of all sizes trust ProcureAbility to transform their procurement operations, drive growth, and reimagine what’s possible.
Let ProcureAbility help you reimagine your procurement capabilities.
For more information, visit www.ProcureAbility.com
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Testimonials
Chief Marketing Officer | ProcureAbility
Kathleen M. Pomento
"As the Platinum Sponsor of the UPMG Conference, we are proud to support an organization that plays such a vital role in shaping the future of utility procurement. UPMG’s commitment to fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and bringing together forward-thinking industry leaders to tackle emerging challenges, share best practices, and spark new ideas is unmatched.”
Our Valued Partners
