For transmission and distribution professionals, the IEEE PES T&D Conference & Expo 2026 is one event you will not want to miss. Taking place May 4–7, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, this is the industry’s most comprehensive gathering. And it only comes around every two years. The next opportunity after this one won’t arrive until 2028.
The IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Expo is produced by the IEEE Power and Energy Society and hosted by ComEd, one of the nation’s leading electric utilities. It draws utility engineers, system planners, grid modernization experts, consultants, researchers, policymakers, contractors, students, and young professionals from across the globe.
The event’s theme, Powering Reliability, Engineering Resilience, speaks directly to what the industry is up against: aging infrastructure, rapid electrification, and an increasingly complex grid.
Cottrell Paper Company will be on-site, and we look forward to reconnecting with partners and meeting new faces from across the industry. You’ll find us in the South Building at Booth 3434.
What Is the IEEE PES T&D Conference & Expo?
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Power and Energy Society Transmission and Distribution Conference & Exposition (the IEEE Power Engineering Conference known throughout the industry), is the leading biennial event for everyone working in the T&D space. Its core focus is on the modern design and operation of the electric grid, connecting utilities, regulators, researchers, and solutions providers within a single, concentrated forum.
Attendees gain access to over 100 technical sessions and 800 exhibiting companies, alongside opportunities to earn PDH and CEU credits for professional development. The T&D conference exhibitors and attendees represent the full spectrum of the industry: from major equipment manufacturers and technology developers to academic institutions and energy regulators.
As one exhibitor puts it, “If there were only one show to budget for, this would be it. Unlike other shows, the full spectrum of T&D products, services, and decision-makers are here.”
The transmission and distribution industry event is held at McCormick Place, one of North America’s largest convention centers, with the exhibit hall, sessions, and networking events.
Who Benefits From the IEEE PES T&D Conference & Expo 2026?
The IEEE PES conference USA is designed for a wide cross-section of energy and engineering professionals. Those who stand to gain the most include:
- Utility engineers and grid operations teams
- System planners and grid modernization specialists
- Energy policymakers and regulators
- Equipment manufacturers and technology developers
- Academic researchers and faculty
- Students and early-career professionals entering the T&D field
The Power Grid Conference 2026 features a technical program built around the real-world demands facing today’s grid operators and engineers. Sessions address grid modernization and DER integration, workforce development, utility resilience, electrification strategy, and advanced infrastructure planning.
Formats include Super Sessions, technical panel discussions, tutorials, and technical tours, as well as the Plain Talk About the Electric Power Industry track, designed to make complex concepts accessible to a broader range of attendees.
The transformer manufacturing suppliers conference calendar extends well beyond the technical program. The Welcome Reception opens the event with a social gathering designed to set a tone before sessions begin, an ideal setting for reconnecting with colleagues and building new relationships across the T&D community. The IEEE PES T&D Technical Tours provide direct insight into leading-edge power infrastructure, grid modernization, and emerging technologies in real-world settings.
Cottrell Paper Company at Booth 3434
Cottrell Paper Company is an established industry leader in electrical insulation products, with time-tested brands including COPACO and Kraft Paper. Our products, including insulating papers, pressboards, and related materials, are engineered for performance in transformer and motor insulation applications, where material reliability is not a preference but a requirement.
As one of the electrical insulation manufacturers attending IEEE, Cottrell Paper brings both product depth and long-standing industry relationships to the conference floor. We are attending the IEEE PES T&D Conference 2026 to engage directly with partners, engineers, and industry peers to exchange technical knowledge, discuss application challenges, and identify where our materials can contribute to more reliable, resilient grid infrastructure.
You’ll find us at Booth 3434 in the South Building. Stop by for a conversation, or schedule time in advance using the contact information below.
Cottrell Paper Company
1135 Rock City Road, Rock City Falls, NY 12863
