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Witness Effectiveness Training

November 17 - 18, 2026 Denver, CO EUCI Conference Center

 “This course was helpful, informative and valuable for someone new to witness prep or someone that needs a refresher.” 

Director Citizens Westfield Utilities, Citizens Energy Group

“Great way to learn how to testify!”

Director, Regulatory Affairs Distribution, Chesapeake Utilities

The Witness Effectiveness Training course is designed to improve the effectiveness of witnesses as they prepare and serve as experts in rate case proceedings. The course optimizes the limited two-day timeframe by splitting the focus between foundational theory and intensive, realistic practice.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the role of expert witnesses within the ratemaking process.
  • Employ effective verbal and non-verbal communication techniques during regulatory proceedings.
  • Develop and refine testimony messages that support desired regulatory outcomes.
  • Prepare strategically for direct testimony and cross-examination.
  • Deliver clear, credible, and persuasive testimony before regulatory decision-makers.
  • Respond effectively to challenging cross-examination tactics.
  • Avoid common witness mistakes that can diminish credibility.
  • Apply witness communication and testimony skills in simulated hearing exercises.

Register

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Individual attendee(s)$ 2495.00 each(early bird rate)
(price after October 30, 2026 is $ 2,695.00)
Volume pricing also available

Individual attendee tickets can be mixed with ticket packs for complete flexibility

Pack of 5 attendees$ 10,600.00 (15% discount)(early bird rate)
(price after October 30, 2026 is $ 11,455.00)
Pack of 10 attendees$ 19,960.00 (20% discount)(early bird rate)
(price after October 30, 2026 is $ 21,560.00)
Pack of 20 attendees$ 37,425.00 (25% discount)(early bird rate)
(price after October 30, 2026 is $ 40,425.00)

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before October 16, 2026 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $295.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

EUCI retains the right to refuse registration by any individual or company.

Day one

Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Day two

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

Agenda

Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Denver, CO

Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:00 AM

Group Lunch

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Adjourn for the day

4:00 PM

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:30 - 9:45 AM

Your Role in the Ratemaking Process

This introductory session covers the strategic implications of the ratemaking process and the critical role of expert witnesses. You’ll learn how the process can achieve stakeholder objectives, communicate key messages, influence customer and competitor behavior, implement risk management and profit strategies, reward and penalize performance, and change rates and revenues.

9:45 - 10:45 AM

Effectively Communicating—Verbally and Non-Verbally

Learn the importance of communication in regulatory proceedings, including the skills and techniques employed by effective witnesses, how non-verbal communication can make advocacy more persuasive, and how hearing transcripts (upon which appeals must be based) require precise verbal communication.

10:45 - 11:00 AM

Morning Break

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Identifying and Refining Key Messages

This session focuses on providing evidence to support the right decision, including how to retain decisionmakers’ attention, communicate key messages (even complex, technical points) in short and simple yet accurate statements, and convey the information necessary for the desired result.

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Group Lunch

1:00 - 2:30 PM

Preparing for Your Testimony

This session sets you up for success, preparing you for each stage of the process. We’ll cover what to do leading up to your appearance, what to take with you to the witness stand, key questions to anticipate, and specific steps to prepare for direct testimony and cross-examination.

2:30 - 2:45 PM

Afternoon Break

2:45 - 4:00 PM

Presenting Your Direct Testimony

Master the skills and techniques that will make you most effective on the witness stand: setting the tone for the hearing; maintaining focus and calm; communicating your messages clearly and precisely; and controlling the timing, cadence, and direction of the exchanges.

Agenda

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

Denver, CO

Continental Breakfast

8:00 AM

Adjourn for the day

12:00 PM

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Continental Breakfast

8:30 - 9:30 AM

Handling Cross-Examination

Cross-examination presents its own unique challenges. We’ll cover primary attorney objectives and how to respond, including message delivery and discipline and how to recover if your testimony is misconstrued or mischaracterized.

9:30 - 10:30 AM

Avoiding Potential Pitfalls

Every expert witness faces potential pitfalls; the key is being prepared for them. We’ll discuss how to deal with difficult questions, how to recognize and avoid the most common mistakes witnesses make, and tips for maintaining confidence and control under fire.

10:30 - 10:45 AM

Morning Break

10:45 - 11:45 AM

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Here’s where you’ll apply what you’ve learned. You’ll practice communicating from a witness stand to discover what you excel at and the areas that need attention. The exercise will give you confidence and further equip you with the skills needed to be a highly effective witness.

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Concluding Remarks

Instructors

Cynthia Menhorn Grey

Vice President -Regulatory Services Practice

MCR Performance Solutions

Cindy serves as Vice President of the Regulatory Services Practice at MCR Performance Solutions, a multifaceted firm providing consulting services to natural gas, electric, and water utilities. Cindy possesses over 40 years of rates and regulatory experience, including work on over 100 regulatory cases and testimony before numerous state commissions, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Louisiana, Illinois, Montana, New Jersey, Idaho, Oregon, North and South Carolina, New Mexico, Delaware and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In her current role, Cindy has served as an expert witness for a wide variety of utilities throughout the country on a broad array of subjects, including revenue requirement, cost of service, rate design, and policy related matters. Prior to joining MCR, Cindy held various positions at Allegheny Energy, where she gained deep experience with regulatory commissions in numerous states and extensive knowledge of the rate case process, including widespread interaction with stakeholders. Cindy’s responsibilities at Allegheny Energy spanned all facets of the regulatory environment, including general rate proceedings, energy efficiency efforts, and overall regulatory strategy. Throughout her 40 years in the industry, Cindy has gained significant experience serving as an expert witness in regulatory proceedings and has been subject to extensive cross examination in a variety of different states. Cindy graduated magna cum laude with an MBA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and magna cum laude with a BBA with a concentration in Finance from Seton Hill University.

Matt Larkin

Director – Regulatory Services

MCR Performance Solutions

Matt is a Director in the Regulatory Services Practice at MCR Performance Solutions with over 17 years of experience in the regulated utility industry. Prior to joining MCR in August 2025, Matt held various positions in the Regulatory Affairs and Finance departments at Idaho Power Company, a vertically integrated electric utility serving customers in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. Matt most recently served as the Revenue Requirement Senior Manager from 2016 to 2025, and was tasked with developing and implementing cost recovery strategies across multiple jurisdictions. Matt possesses in-depth experience in a broad array of regulatory areas, including revenue requirement development, class cost-of-service studies, and rate design. He has sponsored testimony before the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and the Public Utility Commission of Oregon and contributed to transmission formula rate filings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Matt possesses significant experience serving as an expert witness in a live hearing setting, as well as representing utilities in other external facing forums such as public workshops and settlement negotiations. Matt graduated magna cum laude with a BBA and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

Location

EUCI Conference Center   
6400 S Fiddlers Green Cir.   
Greenwood Village CO, 80111

Nearby Hotels/Airports

Continuing Education Credits

IACET

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EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.9 CEUs for this event

Verify our IACET accreditation

 

Who recognizes IACET Credits?

 

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must log in each day, be in attendance for the entirety of the course to be eligible for continuing education credit.

 

Instructional Methods

PowerPoint presentations, classroom discussion, case studies, group exercises, and a mock hearing exercise will be used in the program.

CPEs

Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 10.0
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

CpeEUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org

CLE

Only registered attendees can request CLE credits for an EUCI course/event. Please email [email protected] prior to the course start date and list the state where you are licensed and your bar# as well as the name and date of your course/event in your request, and someone will be in contact.

Who Should Attend

  • Utility industry professionals involved in rate cases and regulatory proceedings. 
  • Energy industry experts and consultants. 
  • Legal professionals specializing in utility regulation and energy law. 
  • Administrative law judges and hearing officers involved in energy-related cases. 
  • Government regulators and policymakers in the energy sector. 
  • Professionals from utility commissions and public service commissions (PUC/PSC). 
  • Attorneys representing utility companies or consumer advocacy groups. 
  • Engineers and technical experts working in the energy field. 
  • Compliance officers responsible for ensuring regulatory adherence in utility operations. 
  • Energy economists and financial analysts assessing utility rate structures. 
  • Representatives from environmental organizations involved in energy-related advocacy. 
  • Corporate executives and managers responsible for overseeing regulatory compliance and legal affairs in utility companies. 
  • Anyone interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of expert witness preparation and testimony in the energy industry.