Southern Company to host UIGA summer event in Atlanta

Southern Company will host the Utility Inspection & Geospatial Alliance Summer Event on Aug. 25-26, 2026, in Atlanta, bringing together utility leaders, technology providers and industry experts. The event will focus on inspection programs, geospatial awareness and data-driven field operations aimed at improving grid reliability, safety and resilience.

Why it matters: - Utilities are dealing with more severe storms, wildfire risk and aging infrastructure. - The Atlanta event will focus on inspection programs, real-time geospatial awareness and data-driven field operations. - The stated goal is to strengthen grid reliability and public safety.

What happened: - Southern Company will host the Utility Inspection & Geospatial Alliance Summer Event on Aug. 25-26, 2026, in Atlanta. - The day-and-a-half event is aimed at electric utility leaders responsible for asset inspections, storm response, vegetation management and wildfire mitigation. - The event will include hands-on demonstrations on the afternoon of day one with Southern Company. - UIGA will host a reception for networking and peer connection after the demonstrations. - Day two will feature sessions with utilities and UIGA anchor members on industry conditions, operational challenges and practices that are working. - UIGA included a view agenda here reference in the announcement.

The details: - UIGA was founded in 2021. - UIGA says its mission is to bring together utilities, industry associations and solution providers to support a more automated, digital grid. - UIGA’s core focus areas are asset inspection, vegetation management, wildfire mitigation and storm restoration. - Southern Company serves 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. - Southern Company has electric operating companies in three states and natural gas distribution companies in four states. - Southern Company also operates a competitive generation company, a distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. - Southern Company employs nearly 30,000 people. - The company’s announcement identified Kevin Brown, GM of System Aviation Operations, as the host representative. - UIGA identified Ken Maness as co-founder. - The announcement listed utility executives and professionals in asset management, UAS, aviation, vegetation management, data and analytics, GIS, engineering, innovation and T&D as target attendees. - Contact information for more details was provided for Ken Maness and Todd Hagen. - UIGA’s website is More information. - UIGA also linked its social channels on LinkedIn and YouTube.

Between the lines: - Southern Company is using the event to showcase its work in remote sensing and utility operations. - UIGA is positioning the gathering as a forum for peers to compare tactics and technology, not just hear presentations. - The emphasis on collaboration suggests utilities are looking for operational tools that can improve resilience without waiting for longer-term infrastructure changes.

What's next: - Registration and agenda details are available through UIGA’s event materials. - The Atlanta meeting will give attendees a chance to compare current practices ahead of the 2026 storm and wildfire seasons. - Southern Company and UIGA are expected to use the event to deepen connections across the utility and geospatial technology community.