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The
Cutting Edge
of Energy

An exclusive, invite-only gathering in Austin, Texas, where energy and commodity leaders come together for two immersive days of market insights, candid conversations, and meaningful connections.

Featuring speakers such as Bill Perkins (CEO, Skylar Capital) and Pablo Vegas (President & CEO, ERCOT).

2026 SynMax Symposium Panels

 A curated series of conversations exploring the forces shaping energy today—from shifting macro dynamics and global supply to the rapid rise of AI-driven demand.

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Photos: Justin Roth Media

The Energy Map for 2026
Oil, Gas, LNG, Power, and the Macro Crosswinds

A high-level opening conversation on the forces shaping energy markets in 2026. From commodity fundamentals and infrastructure constraints to geopolitics, capital flows, and demand shifts, this session will set the stage for this year's event. 

Panelists:

The New Physics of Power: Grid, Capital, and the AI Demand Surge
ERCOT, Data Centers, and the AI Demand Surge

Three voices at the center of America's most urgent energy story: the CEO of the grid managing the largest demand surge in U.S. history, the Wall Street analyst pricing it all in real time, and the clean energy developer who sold his company to Google rather than wait for the grid to catch up. Together, they’ll tackle whether Texas's explosive load forecasts are real or phantom, who bears the cost of building for an AI-driven future, and whether the answer is a bigger grid or a smarter way around it.

Panelists:

Fireside Chat: Washington, Conflict, and Energy Security
What Energy Leaders Need to be Watching

Energy markets are increasingly shaped by policy, geopolitics, national security concerns, and global conflict. This conversation will examine the issues, signals, and strategic developments that energy leaders should have on their radar as the policy landscape continues to evolve.

Panelists:

Bridge or Dead End? The Uncertain Future of Natural Gas
Permian, Gas, LNG, and Capital Discipline

Every long-term energy outlook tells the same story: gas demand depends on the pace of the energy transition. That answer is either intellectually honest — or a way of avoiding the question. This panel puts two of the sharpest analytical minds in energy head-to-head on the questions the industry is tiptoeing around. Is the LNG boom a generational opportunity or a supply glut in the making? Does AI power demand save gas — or do efficiency breakthroughs cancel it out? And when geopolitics fractures the global trading order, who wins and who gets stranded?

Panelists:

The New Intelligence Stack
AI, Forecasting, and Satellite Intelligence for Energy Markets

Energy decision-making is being reshaped by faster data, better forecasting, and new ways of seeing physical market activity in near real time. This roundtable brings together leaders working at the intersection of AI, weather, satellite intelligence, and market technology to discuss how new forms of signal are changing the way participants understand risk, disruption, and opportunity.

Panelists:

From the Trading Floor to the Fund: Lessons from a Career in Energy Markets
Infrastructure, Policy, and the Pace of Change

Bill Perkins, Lew Williams, and Alex Elsik trace the arc from early trades to running their own funds — sharing what the markets taught them that no classroom could.

Panelists:

A different kind
of energy gathering. 

Over two immersive days on Lake Austin, the SynMax Energy Symposium brings together a select group of energy leaders for a tightly curated experience that blends high-level insight with meaningful connection.

Mornings and afternoons are anchored by focused panels and discussions, while the space between is just as intentional—shared meals, small-group conversations, and relaxed networking that extends into evening gatherings by the water.

From the first session to the final send-off, the event is designed to create a continuous flow of ideas, access, and relationships that carry well beyond the symposium itself. 

 

Photos: Justin Roth Media

Photos: Justin Roth Media
Photos: Justin Roth Media

 Photos: Justin Roth Media

 Photos: Justin Roth Media 

Photos: Justin Roth Media

Ideas flow better
by the water.

Set on the shores of Lake Austin at Bill Perkins’ home, the SynMax Energy Symposium offers a setting designed for both serious conversation and relaxed connection.

Guests will have access to the property’s outdoor spaces and amenities—including the pool, putting green, boat dock, and water activities—creating plenty of room for networking and fun after the day’s talks conclude.

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Photo: Justin Roth Media

An Invitation-Only Event
Confirm your Seat

If you have received an invitation to this event, please click the 'register now' button below. Your registration will be validated and you will receive a confirmation email.  

▶ Private access to all sessions and panels

 ▶ Meals provided

 ▶ Networking happy hour

 ▶ Roundtrip luxury shuttle from hotel to venue

 ▶ Post-event access to digital content

Important Details

 SUNDAY - April 26, 2026‬

  • 8:30 p.m. Welcome Happy Hour & Registration at Hotel Viata

‭ MONDAY - April 27, 2026

  • 8:00 a.m. Registration at Hotel Viata

  • 8:30 a.m. Shuttle from Hotel Viata to Venue

  • 9:00 a.m. Breakfast

  • 9:45 a.m. Morning Session​ (2 panels)

  • 12:15 p.m. Lunch

  • 1:15 p.m. Afternoon Session​ (2 panels, 2 presentations)

  • 4:30 p.m. Happy Hour and Dinner

  • 6:30 p.m. Evening Activities & Networking

  • 6:30-9:30 p.m. Shuttles back to Hotel Viata

TUESDAY - April 28th, 2026

  • 8:30 a.m. Shuttle ​from Hotel Viata​ to Venue

  • 9:00 a.m. Breakfast

  • 9:45 a.m. Morning Session​ (1 panel, 1 presentation)

  • 12:00 p.m. Lunch

  • 12:30 p.m. Midday Session (1 panel)

  • 2:00 p.m. Shuttle​s to Airport and Hotel

Air Transportation

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is the closest airport to the event. All major airlines including American, Delta, Southwest, and United serve the Austin airport.

Lodging

Hotel Viata is the official hotel for this year’s event. All attendees are encouraged to lodge at this property which is a short distance from the Perkins Estate.

Relax and unwind in Hotel Viata’s thoughtfully designed Austin hotel rooms offering the perfect blend of private estate elegance and Texas Hill Country comfort for a memorable stay.

https://www.hotelviata.com/

SynMax has secured an exclusive rate of $219 per night (including the resort fee, parking, and several bonus amenities).

Book Here

Shuttle

SynMax will provide luxury shuttle service between the hotel and Perkins Estate. Additionally, shuttle service from the estate to the Austin Airport will be provided on Tuesday afternoon.

Guests in the Austin area should plan to park at Hotel Viata and ride the shuttle to and from the Perkins Estate.

General Support

  • Sophia Lachapelle
  • (603) 714-2698
  • sophia@synmax.com

Meals (provided)

  • Monday, April 27
    • Breakfast (Hotel Viata)
    • Lunch
    • Happy Hour
    • Dinner
  • Tuesday, April 28
    • Breakfast (Hotel Viata)
    • Lunch

Special requests or dietary needs?

If you have any food allergies or special requests, please email sophia@synmax.com.



Dress Code

Daytime Attire

Smart Casual / Business Casual

For Evening Activities
Outdoor activewear is recommended for guests planning to participate in activities.

Activity Notes
Boating, Wake Surfing, and Pool: Bathing suit
Laser Tag: Dark, comfortable activewear recommended

Guest Convenience
Guests are welcome to bring a day bag from the hotel on Monday morning with any items they may want for the evening. Secure bag storage will be available on-site until needed.

Activities

After Monday’s programming concludes, guests are invited to enjoy the property and its amenities, with opportunities for boating, wake surfing, swimming, and a casual team-based laser tag experience. The evening is intended to create additional space for relaxed conversation, connection, and camaraderie in a more informal setting.

Guests are welcome to bring a day bag from the hotel on Monday morning; secure on-site storage will be available until the evening activities begin.

General Support