DENVER, CO (October 15, 2024)—E Source, a utilities-focused research, consulting, and data science company, has announced the results of its annual awards at Forum 2024, the 37th edition of the company’s annual event held from 8 to 10 October in Denver. The three-day event brought together over 500 utility professionals from the US and Canada for learning and networking sessions, culminating in an awards ceremony where winners were recognized in three categories—Achievements in Customer and Employee Experience (for residential customers, business customers, and utility employees), Website Benchmark (website excellence), and Utility Ad Awards (advertising).
Throughout the Forum, first-place winners presented their leading initiatives and results to attendees, setting standards in the industry and inspiring peers to bring fresh ideas back to their teams and utilities. Fourteen utilities were awarded top honors in three categories during a ceremony hosted by Filomena Gogel, President of Research and Advisory at E Source.
“As we continue to face the challenges of decarbonization, affordability, and equity, E Source is committed to helping utilities make data-driven and customer-focused decisions as they drive the industry forward,” said Gogel. “We value our members’ impressive achievements and are excited to recognize utilities as they set new standards in innovation, communications, customer excellence, and exceptional employee experience.”
Award categories and winners
Achievements in Customer and Employee ExperienceE Source recognized high-scoring utility customer and employee experience initiatives that contributed to increased customer satisfaction and engaging workplaces for employees. A panel of E Source experts evaluated utilities for unique approaches and creativity, how widely the initiative spanned across an organization, metrics and results, and overall impressions.
- Residential customer experience: Avangrid
- Business customer experience: Con Edison
- Employee experience: PG&E
- Small utility excellence: takeCHARGE NL, a partnership of Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
Website Benchmark
For the first time at Forum, E Source also presented an award based on its independent study that scores utility websites on findability, functionality, content, and appearance. The Website Benchmark Award of Excellence was presented to Northern Indiana Public Service Co.
Utility Ad Awards
The Utility Ad Awards recognize marketing and communications campaigns and creativity in the utility industry. A panel of independent external judges scored submissions on the idea, message, creativity, and campaign success.
- Affordability and equity: Independent Electricity System Operator for the “Home Heating Hero” campaign.
- Brand and sustainability: Tampa Electric for the “Your Neighbor, Mr. Sun” campaign.
- Energy efficiency and demand response: BGE for the “Through and Through” campaign.
- Energy generation and renewable energy: LG&E and KU for the “Solar Share” campaign.
- Internal communications: Alabama Power for the “Second-Chance Tree Trimming Program” campaign.
- Mobility and EVs: PNM for the “PNM Transportation Electrification Program 2023” campaign.
- Safety, emergencies, and outages: Austin Energy for the “Get Ready. Stay Ready.” campaign.
- Self-service: Evergy for the “YOUtility Val Prop Evolution” campaign.
Forum features thought-provoking keynote speakers, market research and data-driven content, customer panels, and insights from utility peers, drawing hundreds of utility professionals over three days in downtown Denver.
The event is hosted by E Source’s Research and Advisory practice, which offers program innovation and customer experience subscription-based services. The practice’s researchers and experts help more than 350 utilities across the US and Canada make smarter financial decisions, enhance operations, save time, and improve customer satisfaction and retention. To learn more, visit Research and advisory.
About E Source
E Source combines industry-leading research, consulting, and data science to help utilities make and implement better data-driven decisions that positively impact their customers, their bottom line, and our planet. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, E Source has teams across the US and Canada. Learn more at www.esource.com.
