2023-24 Call for Speakers


Share your expertise!

If you feel that you have meaningful content to share and are interested in engaging the SGA audience, both members and non-members, sharing how your company is reducing emissions, improving safety, improving efficiency, fostering inclusion and diversity, marketing to customers, or innovating the natural gas industry, we want to hear from you.

Course Categories & Topics

We are actively seeking instructors for the following courses. As an instructor, you’ll have the freedom to design your course, create engaging content, and interact with motivated learners from across the industry. You’ll also have the opportunity to expand your network, enhance your reputation as an industry expert, and enjoy flexible teaching opportunities.

  1. Customer Service Excellence in Gas Distribution: A class to equip staff with the skills needed to provide excellent service, handle complaints effectively, and build strong rapport with customers.
  2. Communicating with Empathy: An essential course to help CSRs understand and mirror customers’ feelings, which can foster rapport and trust.
  3. Active Listening and Communication Skills: This course will focus on skills such as effectively listening to customer queries, paraphrasing for understanding, and articulating solutions clearly.
  4. Handling Difficult Customers: This training will arm CSRs with tactics and approaches to manage challenging customer interactions effectively while maintaining their cool.
  5. Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: This course will provide CSRs with a structured approach to problem-solving, helping them make swift and effective decisions.
  6. Technical Troubleshooting: A specific course designed to handle common technical problems reported by natural gas consumers, such as issues with gas appliances or understanding meter readings.
  7. Emergency Response Communication: A critical training that will prepare CSRs to handle customer calls during emergencies, provide accurate information, and relay necessary steps swiftly and calmly.
  8. Customer Privacy and Data Security: A course that helps CSRs understand the importance of customer data, ways to protect it, and regulatory compliance related to privacy.
  9. How a Regulated Organization Makes Money: Explore the economic dynamics and financial strategies specific to regulated natural gas organizations. Understand the revenue models, rate setting processes, and financial management principles at play.
  10. Negotiation Skills for Contract Management: Given the various contracts involved in gas distribution, effective negotiation skills are crucial. This course will teach techniques for successful negotiation and agreement management.

  1. Hydrogen Safety Training: A specialized course focusing on the safe handling, storage, and transportation of hydrogen. It would cover potential risks, safety measures, and emergency response protocols.
  2. Hydrogen Technologies and Infrastructure: This course provides insight into the latest technologies and infrastructure used in the hydrogen energy sector, including electrolysis, fuel cells, and hydrogen vehicles.
  3. Regulations and Standards for Hydrogen: A course to understand the regulations, standards, and best practices in the fast-evolving hydrogen industry.
  4. AI for Predictive Maintenance: This course focuses on how AI can be used to predict equipment failures and schedule maintenance, improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime.
  5. AI and Data Analysis for the Natural Gas Industry: A class that focuses on using AI for analyzing large volumes of data to detect trends, make predictions, and facilitate decision-making processes.
  6. AI in Pipeline Monitoring and Leak Detection: This course will detail the use of AI in monitoring pipeline infrastructure, detecting leaks early, and triggering rapid response mechanisms.
  7. AI for Enhanced Safety and Emergency Response: This class focuses on how AI can enhance safety procedures, predict potential accidents, and aid in swift and effective emergency response.
  8. AI and Robotics in Gas Exploration and Production: A course that focuses on how AI can assist in remote operations, dangerous tasks, and enhance exploration and production processes.
  9. Introduction to Carbon Capture Techniques from a Business Aspect: Delve into carbon capture technologies and their business implications. Learn about the financial considerations, investment opportunities, and market dynamics related to carbon capture in the natural gas sector.
  10. Future Watch: Key Trends Natural Gas Professionals Should Have on Their Radar: Stay ahead of industry developments by examining the emerging trends, innovations, and regulatory shifts impacting the natural gas sector. Discover how these trends may shape the future of the industry.

  1. Electrification of Compression

  1. Leading in Crisis: A leadership course that focuses on managing teams during emergencies or crises, vital for distribution and transmission organizations dealing with potential hazards.
  2. Workforce Recruitment & Retention Strategies

  1. Midstream 101: Gain a foundational understanding of the midstream sector in the natural gas industry. Explore the critical infrastructure, transportation, and storage components that bridge the gap between upstream and downstream operations.
  2. Environmental 101: Get an overview of environmental principles, regulations, and considerations relevant to the natural gas industry. Explore the environmental impact assessment process and compliance requirements.
  3. Pipeline Safety and Integrity Management: This course will provide an overview of the techniques and strategies to maintain pipeline safety and prevent damage, including regular inspections and preventive maintenance.
  4. Leak Detection and Repair: This course covers the latest technologies and methodologies for detecting and repairing leaks in pipelines and other infrastructure.
  5. Excavation Safety: This training will educate attendees on the potential risks of excavation near natural gas infrastructure, sloping and shoring up, and the necessary safety precautions.
  6. Project Risk Management: Develop skills in identifying, assessing, and managing risks associated with natural gas projects. Explore risk mitigation strategies, contingency planning, and best practices for successful project execution.
  7. Monitoring, Mapping and Modeling for Pipeline Resilience: Learn how to employ advanced monitoring, mapping, and modeling tools to enhance the resilience of natural gas pipelines. Explore strategies for early detection of issues and proactive maintenance.
  8. Emergency Response Planning: This course will provide an overview of how to design and implement an effective emergency response plan, including protocols for communication, evacuation, and recovery.
  9. Crisis Communication: This course covers how to effectively communicate during a crisis, including protocols for internal and external communication and managing the media.
  10. Incident Command System (ICS) Training: An ICS is a standardized approach to the command, control, and coordination of emergency response. This training will cover the basics of setting up and running an ICS.
  11. Hazardous Material Handling and Response: This training covers the proper procedures for handling and responding to hazardous material incidents, including containment and cleanup.
  12. Methane Emissions: Measurement and Mitigation: Dive into the techniques and technologies used to quantify and reduce methane emissions in natural gas operations. Learn about monitoring methods, best practices, and regulatory compliance.
  13. Project Management for Natural Gas Professionals: Develop essential project management skills tailored to the unique challenges of natural gas projects. Explore project planning, execution, risk management, and successful delivery within this industry context.
  14. GIS Applications and Drone Surveillance in Gas Distribution: A class centered around the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and drone technology for planning, monitoring, and managing gas distribution networks.
  15. Emergency Response and Disaster Management: This training covers emergency preparedness, swift response protocols, and effective recovery strategies specific to the natural gas industry.
  16. Regulatory Compliance for Transmission and/or Distribution: A course on understanding and adhering to the regulatory landscape, including safety regulations, environmental standards, and customer service requirements.
  17. Introduction to Gas Station Design: This course will provide an overview of the principles and considerations of designing a gas station, including layout, equipment selection, safety considerations, and regulatory compliance.
  18. Advanced Gas Station Design: This higher-level course delves into more advanced topics, including optimizing station design for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact. It will ideally be targeted towards engineers and other professionals directly involved in station design.
  19. Basics of Gas Metering and Measurement: This course covers the fundamentals of gas metering and measurement, including the different types of meters, how they work, and how to read and interpret meter data.
  20. Advanced Gas Metering and Measurement: A more advanced course will cover topics like calibrating meters, detecting and correcting meter errors, and using meter data for billing and usage analysis.
  21. Smart Meters and Digital Technologies: This course explores the use of smart meters and other digital technologies in gas metering and measurement. It could cover the installation and maintenance of smart meters, interpreting smart meter data, and using this data to improve service and efficiency.
  22. Methane Emissions: Measurement & Mitigation: Dive into the techniques and technologies used to quantify and reduce methane emissions in natural gas operations. Learn about monitoring methods, best practices, and regulatory compliance.
  23. Effective Communication for Field Operators: This training will enhance the communication skills of field operators, emphasizing clear, concise reporting and productive collaboration.
  24. Energy Industry Project Management
  25. Monitoring, Mapping & Modeling for PPL Resilience
  26. Managing Natural Gas Emergencies

  1. Building a Safety-Compliant Culture: Discover strategies for fostering a safety-first culture within natural gas organizations. Explore leadership, training, and communication techniques to ensure safety compliance at all levels.

2024 Conference Speakers

Check back here for specific topic requests for 2024 Conferences. In the meantime, if you have a suggested topic, submit your idea: