Our networking events are designed to bring people together in engaging, memorable settings. With events from our APEC committee and sponsoring organizations, each event offers meaningful opportunities to connect, share ideas, and build lasting professional relationships—while having a great time along the way.
APEC 2026 Welcome Reception
Date: Monday, March 23
Time: 4:45 PM – 7:45 PM
Location: Street Level, Exposition Hall (Hall 4)
Kick off the APEC Exhibition with the 2026 Welcome Reception — a fun and exciting way to reconnect after the plenary session. Spend the evening meeting exhibitors, exploring the exposition floor, grabbing exclusive 2026 swag, and enjoying San Antonio-inspired bites while continuing conversations and making new connections.
2026 PELS Mentorship RoundTables
Date: Tuesday, March 24
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Offsite – Grand Hyatt, Level 2, Lonestar E
Since 2017, the PELS Mentorship Roundtable event has been facilitating access to distinguished leaders in power electronics research and industry. Covering non-technical topics essential for professional growth, the Roundtable is an intimate setting comprised of the mentor who leads the topical discussion and a small group of mentees. The Roundtable event is open to all engineers at any stage of their career.
This event is organized by the IEEE Power Electronics Society. Click here to learn more about mentorship in the Power Electronics Society.
YP LinkUp: Building Connections and Inspiring Growth
Date: Tuesday, March 24
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Meeting Room Level, Room 211
Registration & Requests: https://forms.gle/6XTYqEQ8Px1h8pJx9
Young Professional (YP) Session at the 2026 IEEE APEC as we explore pathways to professional excellence and personal growth. This interactive, peer-driven roundtable session is designed for young professionals eager to connect, share, and tackle real-world challenges together. Without mentors at the tables, attendees will lead the conversation, exchange experiences, and brainstorm innovative solutions in a dynamic and engaging environment. Through thought-provoking discussions and challenge-based activities, participants will leave with meaningful connections, actionable insights, and inspiration for personal and professional growth.
In this session, participants at each table will dive into a variety of topics and then present their insights to the group, sharing practical advice based on their own experiences. Conversations will revolve around:
- Career Choices & Pathways: Exploring options, identifying strengths, and making informed career decisions.
- Professional Experiences: Sharing real-life experiences, challenges, and lessons learned.
- Networking & Relationship Building: Effective strategies to connect and build meaningful professional relationships.
- Skill Development & Learning Opportunities: Identifying skills to grow and resources for continuous learning.
- Next Steps & Goal Setting: Planning actionable steps for career progression and personal growth.
- Overcoming Challenges & Resilience: Discussing obstacles, setbacks, and strategies to stay motivated and adaptable.
Make sure to pre-register for the session here: https://forms.gle/6XTYqEQ8Px1h8pJx9
Women In Engineering (WIE) Breakfast Session:
“From Doubt to Drive: Career Confidence for a Fast‑Changing World”
by Seema Bakshi
Date: Wednesday, March 25
Time: 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM (Breakfast); 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Session)
Location: Grand Hyatt, Level 2, Lonestar C
Transform hesitation into momentum in 60 minutes — this high‑impact session helps you clarify your leadership purpose, measure progress against your own standards, and embrace strategic risk‑taking so you leave with a focused, personalized plan and the confidence to step into greater responsibility. Drawing from the speaker’s core lessons, expect insightful stories, practical prompts, and a clear next step to accelerate your leadership readiness – you’ll gain simple, repeatable habits to accelerate growth and celebrate each milestone. Walk away energized, with a roadmap to build skills, gather courage, and make bold moves in your career. This event is open to all and is hosted by IEEE PELS Women in Engineering (WIE), IAS WIE, and PSMA WIE.
This event is open to everyone, however pre-registration is required.
Please register by clicking the link: https://bit.ly/49SoKnV.
2026 PELS WIE Networking Session
Date: Wednesday, March 25
Time: 10:10 AM – 10:40 AM
Location: Street Level, Exposition Hall (Hall 4)
Join fellow women engineers and allies for an engaging drop-in networking event at the APEC Hub in the Expo to celebrate innovation, leadership, and community in the engineering profession. This gathering offers an opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences, and discuss career growth within the power electronics industry. This event is open to all and hosted by IEEE PELS Women in Engineering (WIE), IEEE IAS WIE, and PSMA WIE.