As the U.S. faces unprecedented electricity demand, Debra Phillips of NEMA will deliver a powerful keynote at SPS Atlanta 2025, exploring the critical role of technology, policy, and industry collaboration in building a resilient and reliable electric future.

SPS Atlanta, the Southeast’s premier event for smart and digital automation, is proud to announce that Debra Phillips, President and CEO of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), will headline the keynote stage at SPS Atlanta 2025, taking place September 16–18 at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Her keynote, “Powering the Electric Future: Technology, Policy and the Path to a Reliable Grid,” will spotlight one of the most urgent issues facing the automation and manufacturing sectors: how to scale, secure, and modernize the U.S. electrical grid to meet skyrocketing energy demand.

As electricity demand accelerates across the U.S., her presentation will explore how the electroindustry is positioned at the nexus of technological advancement, economic growth, and policy development. With U.S. electrical manufacturers having invested over $185 billion since 2018, Phillips will outline the strategies, innovations, and regulatory frameworks essential to building a reliable, secure, and affordable energy system that can meet the needs of an increasingly electrified economy.

Robust Education Program Anchors SPS Atlanta 2025

Phillips’ keynote is part of a dynamic education program featuring 20+ sessions and speakers from across the industrial automation spectrum. The conference will showcase thought leaders and technical experts discussing critical trends. From actionable strategies to future-forward insights, the education program is designed to equip manufacturers, engineers, and automation professionals with the tools they need to thrive in a connected, data-driven era.

Collaboratively organized by Messe Frankfurt Inc., Mesago Messe Frankfurt and The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), SPS Atlanta 2025 is more than a tradeshow—it's becoming the epicenter for smart manufacturing in the Southeast, featuring automation technologies, live demos, and leadership perspectives driving the next industrial revolution.  Registration is open.