The 2026 NPGA Southeastern Expo Focuses on Opportunity, Leadership & Energy Resilience

The National Propane Gas Association’s (NPGA) 2026 Southeastern & International Propane Expo brought propane professionals from across the country back to Nashville, Tennessee, for three days of networking, education and industry discussion centered on growth, resilience and the future of energy. Held April 19-21 during the United States’ 250th anniversary year, the 2026 NPGA Southeastern Expo carried a patriotic theme throughout its opening ceremony and educational programming. Industry leaders emphasized propane’s role as a domestic energy source and encouraged marketers to embrace new opportunities emerging from changes in the broader energy landscape.

Propane & the American Energy Story

Opening the show, NPGA President and CEO Stephen Kaminski connected the story of the propane industry to the broader story of America, highlighting themes of innovation, perseverance and opportunity that continue to shape both.

Mike Hopsicker, NPGA chair, followed with remarks focused on advocacy and energy choice.

“This year marks our 250th anniversary of the founding of our country,” Hopsicker said. “And as Americans, we enjoy … an abundance of opportunities.”

Hopsicker acknowledged the challenges the propane industry has faced in recent years while encouraging attendees to continue promoting propane’s value to consumers.

“Americans deserve energy choice,” he said, “and the opportunity to choose propane for their energy needs.”

Hopsicker also encouraged attendees to remain active within the association and continue supporting industry advocacy efforts at both the state and national levels.

“The best way to fight for our industry is to market propane,” he said.

A ‘Power Play’ for the Industry

The opening sessions continued with remarks from Tucker Perkins, president and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council, who framed the current moment as one of the industry’s greatest opportunities.

“We stand on the dawn of the greatest point in our history of this industry,” Perkins said.

Throughout his address, Perkins pointed to growing concerns surrounding electric grid reliability, increasing electricity demand and global instability as factors creating new opportunities for propane marketers.

“We sell exactly what people want,” Perkins said. “Because we are reliable, we’re affordable, we’re abundant and we’re safe.”

Perkins also discussed the growing conversation around AI and data centers, arguing that the resulting strain on the electrical grid could create downstream opportunities for propane-powered systems and backup energy solutions.

“It is completely changing the fragility of the grid,” Perkins said. “It is completely changing the cost of electricity, and it is creating for us one of the best opportunities we’ve ever seen.”

He encouraged propane marketers to think beyond traditional uses while continuing to strengthen existing residential, agricultural and commercial relationships.

“We need to rethink our love affair with the generator,” Perkins said while discussing whole-home energy systems and propane-powered backup solutions.

Perkins frequently returned to the concept of a “power play,” urging propane marketers to put their focus on operational excellence, safety and technology adoption as the industry evolves.

“What’s your power play?” he asked attendees. “Is it to become operationally excellent? Is it to lower your cost of delivery while increasing your ability to be reliable, using the technology that’s available out there today?”

Perkins also praised propane company employees from across the country for their performance during the recent winter heating season: “[I] love to celebrate the men and women [who] pulled hoses, checked our tanks, made sure the tanks were full and got it done,” he said.

Educational Sessions Address Industry Challenges

The expo’s educational programming reflected many of the same themes discussed during the opening sessions. Educational sessions focused on market conditions, technology, leadership development and the changing energy landscape.

One such session, “U.S. Propane Market Outlook — Iran, Exports and Production,” examined the impact of geopolitical instability on international propane markets. Presented by Adam Baker and Scott Potter of RBN Energy LLC, the session explored how global tensions have affected propane exports, inventory outlooks and global demand.

The session also addressed questions surrounding future export capacity and how increasing international demand could influence U.S. propane supply and pricing moving forward.

Leadership Development & Industry Growth

Leadership development remained another major focus throughout the convention. On April 20, the Women in Propane (WIP) Roundtable hosted a live edition of the “Through the Leadership Lens” podcast. The session, hosted by Rural Computer Consultants’ Jessica Balderston and Freddie Ridler, encouraged attendees to reflect on mentorship, leadership growth and professional development within the propane industry.

The interactive event included audience discussion and focused on leadership style, mentorship and recognizing potential in others.

Balderston, who serves as co-chair of programs and events for WIP, discussed the importance of connecting and supporting propane professionals throughout the industry. Ridler also shared perspectives shaped by his years working with propane marketers and his involvement with NPGA programs.

The convention also highlighted the importance of supporting future industry leaders through the Young Professional of the Year Award, which shared a joint ceremony and reception with WIP this year. The event brought attendees from across the industry to celebrate leadership and professional growth while recognizing award recipients and the ongoing work of both councils.

The ceremony started with the Women in Propane Council honoring Nancy Coop, now retired, with the inaugural Nancy Coop Leadership Award. The ceremony then shifted to the 2026 Young Professional of the Year, which was awarded to Kirsten McAlpin of Conger LP Gas. The two awards recognized both Coop’s and McAlpin’s many contributions to the industry.

Looking Ahead

The expo’s keynote was delivered by Dr. Mary Kelly, CEO of Productive Leaders and a former Navy intelligence officer, whose remarks added to the event’s broader focus on leadership and adaptability during a period of rapid change across the energy sector.

Among all the sessions and networking events, the 2026 expo emphasized both continuity and change. While speakers celebrated propane’s long-standing role in American energy, they also challenged attendees to embrace technology, strengthen operations and prepare for opportunities tied to power generation, grid reliability and energy resilience.

“The opportunity is unbelievable right now,” Perkins said. “And it’s right there for us to take.”