The 2018 U.S. WIN Conference was held in July in Huntsville, Alabama. The conference was hosted by TVA, and there were eight platinum sponsors, five gold sponsors, seven silver sponsors, and four exhibitors. There were 489 attendees at the conference, with many attending the professional development workshop, or tours of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Westinghouse Facilities in Chattanooga, and Nuclear Engineering & Test Services (NTS) Lab afterward.

The theme of the conference was Positioning US for the Future of Nuclear, and included sessions focusing on technical topics, personal development and nuclear advocacy. Opportunities were available for networking with other WIN members, as well as executives supporting the event, between sessions and at special events at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and Topgolf. Carol Berrigan was awarded the Patricia Bryant Leadership Award, and several chapters were recognized for their public outreach, professional development and member networking over the previous year.

There were face-to-face meetings held for the Steering Committee, Leading Group, and other US WIN Committees to discuss strategies for the upcoming year. Each Regional Coordinator held a breakout meeting for strategizing, networking and event planning.

The feedback was positive about the EAC participation at the conference. Their cameos between plenary sessions were well received.

The biggest lesson learned was to balance the agenda topics between Monday & Tuesday, as Tuesday’s agenda was very full.

The new day 2 event at Topgolf was well received to promote additional networking opportunities and inclusiveness.

The 2019 conference will be held in Chicago, Illinois, hosted by Exelon, and will commemorate the 20th anniversary of U.S. WIN.