Registration opens for Tulane's flagship Future of Energy Forum, bringing global leaders to New Orleans

Registration is now open for the third annual Tulane Future of Energy Forum, a premier gathering that convenes leaders from industry, government, academia, finance, technology and policy to examine the forces reshaping the global energy landscape. Over three days, participants will explore the technological breakthroughs, market shifts and policy decisions driving one of the most consequential transformations of the 21st century.

The forum, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Tulane University's uptown campus from Monday, Sept. 28, through Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The theme of this year's event is "Connected Power: Connecting Leaders. Powering Progress." It reflects the partnerships needed to meet growing energy demand, strengthen infrastructure, improve affordability and reliability, power economic growth and advance innovation and sustainability.

"Meeting the world's growing energy needs will require stronger connections across industries, disciplines and communities," said Tulane University President Michael A. Fitts. "As a premier research university located in one of the world's most important energy regions, Tulane is uniquely positioned to bring together leaders who can turn new ideas into practical solutions with both regional and global impact."

The 2026 forum will feature more than 40 sessions, including keynote conversations, panel discussions, technology demonstrations and networking opportunities. Last year's event drew more than 1,700 participants and featured more than 125 speakers, including keynotes from Colette Hirstius, president of Shell USA, and Drew Marsh, chair and CEO of Entergy.

Initial speakers for 2026 include Jonathan Brightbill, general counsel of the U.S. Department of Energy; David LaCerte, commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); James "Jimmy" Story, former U.S. ambassador to Venezuela; Kevin McMahon, Shell vice president of production assets for the Gulf of America; Chris Calavitta, head of project finance at nuclear energy firm Oklo Inc.; Jeffrey Cantin, president of Solar Alternatives Inc.; Holly Lichtenfeld, chief marketing and strategy officer of Stepwise Electric; Geoffrey Richardson, ExxonMobil senior vice president of commercial; Sonya Savage, former Alberta energy minister; Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards; Louisiana state Sen. Jeremy Stine, majority leader of the Louisiana Senate; Jean-Paul Coussan, Louisiana public service commissioner; Monique Edwards, director of water administration at the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy; Joan Michelson, host of "Electric Ladies Podcast"; and Marjorie McKeithen, a partner at Jones Walker LLP and former secretary of the Louisiana Mineral and Energy Board and assistant secretary of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.

Additional speakers and programming will be announced throughout the summer.

Major areas of discussion will include:

• Rising power demand and the rapid expansion of data centers
• Grid reliability, affordability and infrastructure
• Oil and gas production
• Liquefied natural gas and global energy markets
• Nuclear energy
• Carbon capture and carbon markets
• Critical minerals and global supply chains
• Energy finance and investment
• Artificial intelligence and energy
• Energy policy and regulation
• Workforce development
• Sustainability and the energy transition

Tulane launched the Future of Energy Forum in 2024 as a marquee event to connect global energy expertise with the opportunities and challenges facing the Gulf South, one of the world's leading centers for energy production, infrastructure, innovation and investment. Its programming brings together a broad range of perspectives to encourage practical, forward-looking approaches to energy reliability, affordability, security and sustainability.

For more information about the 2026 Future of Energy Forum, including registration and the latest list of speakers, visit energyforum.tulane.edu.