IEEE Region 5

IEEE Region 5 is moving forward with incredible energy. Over the past few months, we’ve taken a hard look at our internal structures to ensure our leadership and committees are actually built to serve you effectively. I’m pleased to share that we have successfully completed all section elections; our 27 sections and numerous student branches are now staffed with fresh leadership ready to hit the ground running.

Looking ahead, we have two major priorities:

The IEEE Board Series in Austin: We are currently preparing to host national and regional leaders in Texas. This is a massive opportunity to showcase the talent in Region 5 and collaborate on the future of the global IEEE mission.

Strategic Growth & STEM: We are realigning our executive team to focus on what matters most—expanding our STEM outreach and fostering innovation within our local communities.

Our goal is simple: to make Region 5 a more collaborative, service-oriented home for every member. Thank you for your continued dedication to the profession.

Deadline Alert: Submit your Section and OU financials by February 20 to secure your rebate bonus. Don't miss out!

Join our Engineering Week session, *Engineering Leadership That Scales*, on *February 23 from 6:30–7:30 PM MST*. This interactive webinar explores how engineering principles can be applied to leadership development within IEEE.

We will examine how strategy, operations, and tactical activation connect to build sustainable volunteer systems without increasing burnout.

Register here for: Engineering Leadership That Scales: A Systems Approach for IEEE Volunteers and Professionals https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/540037

IEEE-USA is thrilled by the incredible response for CVD 2026, and we are especially excited to see such a powerful presence and strong showing from Region 5! Our registration is now officially closed, and we look forward to seeing the Region 5 cohort in Washington, DC on 17-18 March.

The cutoff to book at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in the CVD Hotel Room Block is 23 February.

With the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival occurring immediately following CVD 2026, DC and local hotel rooms are rapidly disappearing and prices are skyrocketing. To book, make a reservation here: CVD room block.

As a reminder, the CVD Training Session will take place on 17 March at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City (mandatory for all first-time CVD attendees). While you are not required to stay at the CVD hotel, booking through the block offers the convenience of being onsite for the Training Session.

Key transportation details:

• Bus transportation to Capitol Hill on the morning of 18 March is only available to those staying in the CVD hotel block.

If you have questions, please review the FAQ first. You may also ask questions in the LinkedIn Group or contact IEEE-USA CVD directly at cvd@ieeeusa.org.

Mark your calendars for the 2026 IEEE Region 5 Student Competitions, co-located with the GreenTech Conference and R5 Congress in Boulder this March. Join us as we celebrate Region 5 together and experience the inspiring, egalitarian leadership of Director Sanderson. With nearly 100 teams expected, this is a premier opportunity to compete and network. It’s not too late for your student branch to get involved in this energizing event!

Join us for the 18th Annual IEEE Green Technologies (GreenTech) Conference, taking place March 25–27, 2026 in Boulder, Colorado. This premier international technical event brings together engineers, researchers, industry leaders, and students to connect, collaborate, and discover solutions for the transition to a sustainable, resilient, and reliable electric power grid.

GreenTech 2026 offers an engaging venue to present cutting-edge research and explore advances in grid design, renewable energy systems, power electronics, transportation electrification, and more. Whether you’re interested in technical papers, workshops, panels, or networking with likeminded professionals and peers, this conference provides a rich environment to exchange ideas and foster innovation in advanced power grid technologies.

Held in beautiful Boulder—where vibrant city life meets Colorado’s stunning mountain landscapes—attendees can combine professional growth with outdoor experiences. Registration and session details are available now, so don’t miss your chance to participate in one of the year’s key IEEE events on sustainable energy and grid innovation!

Learn more and join the conversation at ieeegreentech.org

IEEE is thrilled to announce that the brand-new IEEE Future Tech Explorers™ Challenge is officially open! We are looking for visionary individuals and teams of IEEE members, educators, and creators to develop imaginative resources for students aged 5-17. This is a unique opportunity to show young people that engineering and technology are creative, powerful ways to change the world.

The cutoff to register for the IEEE Future Tech Explorers™ Challenge is 27 February.

With a total prize pool of US$100,000, winners will be rewarded for creating innovative resources—such as games, interactive simulations, VR/AR experiences, or multimedia modules—focused on cutting-edge fields like AI, quantum technologies, and electronics. To learn more and start your registration, visit the challenge page here: Future Tech Explorers Challenge.

As a reminder, the challenge follows a tiered timeline: Team registration is open through February, concept submissions will take place during February and March, and final materials must be uploaded in May and June. While the challenge is open to all, it offers a premier platform to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders through the IEEE TryEngineering community.

Key timeline details:

• Register your team: Now through 27 February
• Submit your concept: February – March
• Upload final materials: May – June

If you have questions, please review the IEEE Pre-University STEM Community page first. You may also explore resources at TryEngineering.org or contact the challenge team via the IEEE communication portal.

Available through the IEC Newsletter: https://www.ieee.org/about/industry/newsletter

The IEEE Member and Geographic Activities (MGA) Nominations and Appointments (N&A) Committee is soliciting nominations for the following Leadership Positions:

• MGA Vice President-Elect/Board Chair-Elect
• MGA Treasurer
• MGA Vice Chairs
• Geographic Unit Operations
• Information Management
• Member Development
• Committee Chairs
• Admission and Advancement (IEEE)
• Awards and Recognition
• Life Members (IEEE)
• Member Benefits Portfolio Advisory
• Membership Recruitment and Recovery
• Operations Manual Compliance
• Potentials Editorial Board
• Student Activities
• Training
• vTools
• Young Professionals (IEEE)
• IEEE HKN Board of Governors – MGA Governor-At-Large 2027-2029

The deadline to submit nominations for the above positions is 15 March 2026.

A complete list of available MGA positions, committee descriptions, and information on the MGA Nominations and Appointments process are available here.

Nominate yourself or a colleague today!

For questions, email mga-noms@ieee.org

Available through the MGA Scoop: https://mga.ieee.org/news