Broadening Our Horizons
Over the years, Big Red Oak has established a strong foundation in Canada’s nuclear sector, sharing the stories of its power to meet the energy demands of the future, to save lives through medical isotope production, to boost economic resilience, and to introduce the next generation of workers to rewarding careers.
The reliable supply of energy is a global challenge, requiring global solutions. Every region has unique needs, resources, and political perspectives … but they also grapple with universal issues. Big Red Oak is connecting with industry stakeholders beyond our own borders to broaden our understanding of their protocols and problems.
Tyrell Lisson, our Managing Director, and Sarah Benteau, Director of Marketing and Sales, recently headed south to open up conversations in the U.S. clean energy landscape. Tyrell attended Chicago’s Midwest Energy Solutions Conference, the region’s largest annual energy efficiency event, while Sarah travelled to San Diego for DISTRIBUTECH 2026, the leading annual transmission and distribution forum in North America. Here are their impressions.
What was your purpose in attending the conference?
Sarah – The main goal was to get deeper insights into the U.S. nuclear market. Finding out who to talk to, hearing about their core challenges, and seeing where our services can help solve those challenges. We wanted to connect with potential new clients but, more importantly, to learn, be curious, and know where our differentiators reinforce our value proposition in this market.
Tyrell – The Midwest conference was a great opportunity to explore the U.S. market. The regions are diverse, with distinctive needs, so learning and listening was key.
Can you give a sense of the atmosphere?
Sarah – I’d describe it as intense. DTech reminded me of going to Dreamforce or a big tech conference. The excitement and buzz for the innovative demonstrations was strong; and you could tell organizations were investing big into the experience, with so many exhibitor booths, concerts, and hosted events.
Tyrell – The atmosphere was really positive. My discussions with a lot of individuals and companies showed that the industry is growing a lot of momentum and purpose. There’s a powerful drive to keep that momentum going as they face the challenges ahead with cost issues and rising energy needs.
What were the attendees seeking to learn?
Sarah – DTech was primarily attended by representatives from the utility sector, while the exhibitors were largely AI tech companies promoting various tools and systems. I found that the chief focus was on AI and how AI can help make energy distribution more efficient, safe, and cost-effective.
Tyrell – The Midwest conference was focused on people working in utilities and the government. I’d say their goal was the same as mine: networking and information sharing.
Any brain sparks from the presentations?
Sarah – Two sessions really stood out for me. First, a panel discussion proved the strong bi-partisan enthusiasm for nuclear and the regulatory shifts in play to accommodate it. The second was a session on the structure of storytelling by one of Disney Pixar’s head storytellers: an affirmation of Big Red Oak’s confidence in the power of stories to shape action.
Tyrell – There was a clear focus on the need to work on grid reliability. The workshops indicated how critical it is to help utilities communicate and educate the public about grid demand and how it affects the consumer.
Your key takeaways?
Sarah – I learned that utilities looking to start or expand nuclear face the same challenges of building public awareness and engagement that we see in Canada, and there was a lot of interest in Big Red Oak’s ability to support their efforts. They also deal with similar hurdles in workforce development and in change management, particularly with AI advancements, so our experience in Canada is very relatable to the U.S. market.
Tyrell – More awareness and education is a priority. The grid has to be updated, the region needs more interconnection, and technological innovation has to step up to solve the big challenge of reliable energy sources.
So what’s next?
Sarah – We made some good contacts at DTech: some as potential clients; others as network-expanding connections. Relationships are key to our business growth, so continuing to nurture those relationships is the next step.
Tyrell – We now recognize that the U.S. is a market that we know how to serve, so we’ll be building on that understanding as we continue to reach out to our new contacts and networks.
The American poet, Maya Angelou, once said, “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.” As Big Red Oak expands our reach beyond our borders, we are learning how well this sentiment applies to the nuclear sector. Utilities, suppliers, partners, and stakeholders: all working hard to find and share the solutions that will create a prosperous future powered by clean energy.