UPMG 2025: From Hiatus to High Impact

After a multi-year hiatus, a determined group of industry volunteers came together with a shared sense of urgency and purpose to rebuild the UPMG Annual Conference from the ground up. More startup comeback than status quo return, **UPMG 2025—the 101st year of this storied industry institution—**held at the historic U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego, marked a decisive resurgence for the association and its flagship event. Fueled by grassroots collaboration, renewed partnerships, and a deeply loyal community of utility procurement professionals who believed in the conference’s value, momentum returned quickly. UPMG 2025 convened leaders from 35+ utilities across gas, electric, and telecommunications, alongside 20+ supplier organizations and 20+ sponsors, for three days of executive-level dialogue, peer learning, and hands-on industry collaboration. Set within a landmark venue that reinforced both legacy and credibility, the conference delivered a high-impact program focused on the utility sector’s most urgent challenges—including supply chain disruption, regulatory complexity, workforce constraints, and the accelerating role of technology and innovation. Featuring thought leadership from utility executives alongside strategic supplier partners, the conference created a balanced, practical forum for insight exchange and relationship building. Building on renewed energy and a reactivated core audience, UPMG 2025 strengthened attendee engagement, elevated sponsor value, and reestablished the conference as a must-attend B2B event—setting the stage for continued growth and expanded impact at UPMG 2026 in Austin.