37th Annual Conference

For more than 30 years, our annual conference has served as a neutral forum for engaging dialogue about issues facing utility service providers, policymakers and regulatory agencies. The February event in Gainesville brings together key leaders in industry and academia, primarily from Florida and the Southeast.

Smart Technology vs. Smart Policy?

February 3-4, 2010
Hilton UF Conference Center
Gainesville, FL

Where will we find solutions to our many regulatory issues? Some look to new technologies, such as smart grid, as well as new energy sources to solve our climate, cost, security, and supply issues. Broadband deployment is seen as critical to helping the United States regain its lead as the world's most competitive economy. Is technology enough? Are we leaving large and controversial policy issues unresolved with the expectation that there are easy technology solutions?

The 37th Annual PURC Conference will explore the difficult policy issues that regulators, policymakers, industry, consumers and other stakeholders must confront in order to ensure that Florida and the nation continue to improve the availability and effectiveness of our energy, telecommunications, and water supplies.

The conference's energy sessions will examine the opportunities and challenges in energy supply, the hard trade-offs in energy pricing, and the options and challenges for smart grid. The telecommunications sessions will focus on broadband policies for Florida and the nation, how federal radio spectrum policies are impacting the state, and how wireless technologies can contribute to energy solutions. The water session will explore renewable issues in the state.

Fees and Payment Information

Terms and Conditions

Accommodations & Additional Details

PURC is registered with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation as a provider of continuing professional education programs. Each year, we apply to the DBPR for technical business CPE credit for conference sessions, as well as to the Florida Bar for general CLER credit for Florida law practitioners.

PURC Distinguished Service Award

Each year at the PURC Annual Conference, PURC honors an individual who has contributed to the understanding of regulatory economics and finance. The PURC Distinguished Service Award recognizes the cumulative impact of an individual's research and policy analyses on both the academic community and regulatory policymakers.

Past Recipients

Gerald L. Gunter Distinguished Service Award

The Gerald L. Gunter Distinguished Service Award is presented jointly at our Annual Conference by PURC and the Florida Public Service Commission. It recognizes a Public Service Commission employee who has made a significant contribution to the development of regulatory policy.

The award is named after the late FPSC Commissioner Gerald L. Gunter, who was especially supportive of the relationship between the University and the Florida PSC. After his death in June 1991, the Gerald L. Gunter Memorial was established by his friends and colleagues. In addition to the Gunter Award, financial gifts enabled the establishment of the Gunter Professorship in the Warrington College of Business Administration. Richard Romano serves as the Gerald L. Gunter Professor of research in regulatory policy.

Past Recipients