An AI Experience at Hillsborough County
We’re excited to host our AI-focused utility event in Florida.
October 12 + 13, 2026
This event is free for all utility participants.
Paid registration is available for non-utility participants.
Sponsorship opportunities are available below.
Thank You To Our Sponsors
What to Expect
Think Higher brings together utility professionals to share ideas, learn from real-world experiences, and explore the technologies shaping the future of the utility industry.
The event begins with a Welcome Happy Hour on the evening of October 12, followed by a full day of presentations, customer case studies, technology demonstrations, and networking on October 13.
Whether you're modernizing your CIS, exploring AI, improving customer engagement, or simply looking to connect with peers, Think Higher is designed to deliver practical value—not just presentations.
About the Event
The best ideas often come from conversations with people solving similar challenges.
Think Higher is built around those conversations.
Throughout the day, you'll hear directly from utility leaders, implementation teams, technology experts, and industry partners as they share lessons learned, successful projects, and practical approaches to today's biggest utility challenges.
Our goal is simple: create an environment where utilities can learn from one another while exploring innovative technologies and building lasting professional relationships.
Getting Here
From Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Address: 332 N Falkenburg Rd, Tampa, FL 33619
Distance: ~16 miles | Travel time: 20–30 minutes
Driving / Rideshare:
Take FL-60 E → I-275 S → I-4 E.
Exit at Falkenburg Rd (Exit 10), turn left, and continue north.
Destination will be on the right.
Why Winter Haven?
Located between Tampa and Orlando, Winter Haven offers a welcoming atmosphere and a convenient location for utility professionals traveling from across North America.
Known for its beautiful chain of lakes and vibrant downtown, it's the perfect setting to step away from the office, connect with peers, and focus on what's next for the utility industry.
Learn from Utility Leaders
Hear firsthand how utilities are modernizing customer service, improving operations, implementing AI, and delivering successful transformation initiatives.
Meaningful Networking
One of the greatest benefits of Think Higher is the opportunity to build relationships with peers, industry experts, and technology leaders throughout the day.
Explore What's Next
Experience demonstrations of emerging technologies, AI-powered customer engagement, Oracle innovations, and practical solutions utilities can begin applying today.
Community Giveback
Supporting the Local Community
At Think Higher, we believe strong communities are built both inside and outside the utility industry.
During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to support a local Winter Haven nonprofit through a community giveback initiative, helping make a positive impact beyond the conference.
Speakers
Founder & President
POWERCONNECT.AI
Steve Dawson
Georges Gonzalez
Enterprise Solutions Division Director
Hillsborough County Water Resources Dept.
Regional Sales Manager
NET2GRID
Emily Fisher
Assistant Customer Service Manager
City of Winter Haven
Kyle Reeves
Customer Service Supervisor
City of Winter Haven
Gabrielle Gardner
Nemanja Kuzmanovic
Customer Service Administrator
City of Clearwater
Obe Everett
Program Manager/Director of Customer Information Systems
Louisville Water
Jeremy Marquette
Assistant General Manager - Customer Service and Technology
City of Pasadena
Manager of Sales and Marketing
BHC Global
Maria Barannikova
President
BHC Global
Christina Northrup-DeBellis
Exec VP Project Management Practices & Implementations
JOMAR
Marianne Blasman
Global Product Manager
IBM X-Force
Norman Dorsch
Data Analysis & Integration Supervisor
Pinellas County Utilities
Megan Grove
Sr. Director of Alliances
Invoice Cloud
Nick Oettinger
This event is free for all utility participants.
Paid registration is available for non-utility participants.
Sponsorships
A Great Opportunity for Partners, Too
For sponsors, this is a relaxed but high-value setting to meet utility teams who are actively building their roadmaps. Last year’s partners told us the intimate format helped create better conversations—and we’re building on that same model again.
We’re in the early planning stages, and this is the perfect time to join us.
Early sponsors will have the chance to help shape panels, participate in agenda discussions, and secure the most visible opportunities.
Platinum Sponsor – Happy Hour (Premier Level)
Includes:
Exclusive branding for the Happy Hour (Thursday, 5:00–8:00 PM), including signage, menus, tabletop cards, and welcome displays
Largest logo placement on:
Event landing page
Registration confirmation emails
Stage backdrop
Printed agenda
Verbal recognition during opening remarks and at the start of the Happy Hour
Option to place one banner or step-and-repeat at the venue
Ability to include two branded items in attendee welcome bags
Four complimentary event registrations
Professional photography, including prioritized coverage of the Happy Hour and branded interactions, with post-event access to curated images.
$4500
Gold Sponsor – Give Back Experience
Includes:
Primary branding for the Give Back Experience, including shirts, supply tables, and on-site signage
Large logo placement on:
Event landing page
Printed agenda
On-screen slides during the Give Back transition
Verbal recognition during the Give Back introduction
Option to deliver a 2–3 minute welcome message prior to the activity
Ability to include one branded item in attendee welcome bags
Three complimentary event registrations
Professional photography capturing the Give Back activity, sponsor branding, and participant engagement, with curated images provided post-event
$2500
SOLD OUT
Opening Moment Sponsor
Includes:
Logo on the first slide displayed as the event begins
Verbal recognition during opening remarks
Logo placement on:
Event landing page
Printed agenda under the Opening Session
Professional photography capturing opening remarks and audience engagement, with priority access to images
Two complimentary event registrations
$2000
Thought Exchange Sponsor
Includes:
Logo displayed on session transition slides throughout the day
Branding in the printed agenda under Thought Leadership / Discussion Sessions
Verbal recognition before afternoon discussions
Professional photography capturing panel interactions and audience discussion moments
Inclusion in the post-event sponsor photo gallery
Two complimentary event registrations
$1500
SOLD OUT
Silver Sponsor – Lunch Sponsor
Includes:
Branding on lunch boxes (Panera), table signage, and lunch-hour screens
Logo placement on:
Event landing page
Printed agenda
On-screen slides during lunch
Verbal thank-you prior to lunch
Two complimentary event registrations
Professional photography including lunch setup, signage, and attendee engagement
$1500
SOLD OUT
Bronze Sponsor – Breakfast & Coffee Sponsor
Includes:
Branding at the breakfast and coffee station (table signage, napkin cards)
Logo placement on:
Event landing page
Printed agenda
Verbal thank-you during morning remarks
Option to place a small tabletop display at the refreshment station
One complimentary event registration
Professional photography capturing morning networking and branded refreshment areas
$1000
SOLD OUT
Included for All Sponsors
All sponsorship levels include:
Professional event photography
Access to a curated post-event photo gallery
Rights to reuse images for marketing, social media, presentations, and sales collateral
Brand visibility aligned to authentic moments of the event