LDC Gas Forum Mid-Continent to convene in Chicago Sept. 14-16

The 38th annual LDC Gas Forum Mid-Continent will bring more than 400 natural gas industry executives to Chicago from Sept. 14-16, 2026. The event will focus on U.S. Mid-Continent market conditions, infrastructure constraints, LNG demand and deal-making across the natural gas value chain.

Why it matters: - The forum is designed to be a working event, not just a conference, with buyers, sellers and transporters meeting to negotiate commercial transactions. - More than 400 energy industry professionals are expected to review market shifts that affect U.S. Mid-Continent natural gas supply, demand and pricing. - The agenda centers on issues with direct commercial impact, including power demand from AI data centers, LNG exports and pipeline constraints.

What happened: - The 38th annual LDC Gas Forum Mid-Continent is set for Sept. 14-16, 2026, in Chicago. - The event will run for 2 1/2 days and feature presentations and moderated panels. - Registration is available at the Mid-Continent forum page.

The details: - Keynote speakers include James Pearson, senior analyst gas fundamentals at ConocoPhillips; David Doyle, head of economics at Macquarie Group; and Wendall Dallas, president and CEO of Nicor Gas. - Five moderated panels will address topics spanning market fundamentals, infrastructure updates, policy, regulation, legal issues and technology. - Mid-Continent-specific discussions will cover gas-fired power demand, gas-electric coordination, midstream buildout, evolving supply flows, export competition from LNG and Mexico, and state and local energy policy. - A special all-women panel, “Beyond the Seat at the Table: Influence, Impact & Opportunity,” will focus on leadership, professional growth, mentorship and sponsorship. - The program includes dedicated networking time with speakers, customers and service providers. - Panel participants represent groups including East Daley Analytics, Bloomberg, NGI, Southern Company Gas, PJM, EQT, Enbridge Gas Ontario, SoCal Gas, Advanced Power, Bunge North America, Oklahoma Natural Gas and Cleveland Advisory.

Between the lines: - The forum is being held against a backdrop of rising natural gas demand, especially from power generation tied to AI data centers and from LNG exports. - The emphasis on permitting reform and infrastructure constraints signals that supply growth is not just a market issue but a bottleneck issue. - The event’s repeated focus on face-to-face deal-making reflects how natural gas commerce still depends heavily on direct relationships and negotiated transactions.

What's next: - Attendees are expected to use the Chicago forum to compare market views, trade commercial ideas and pursue transactions across the natural gas value chain. - Five other LDC Gas Forums will cover other major regions and market segments later in the year. - The LDC Gas Forums series includes Southeast, Northeast, Energy Innovations: Rockies & West, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast Energy Forum and NatGas to Power Forum.

The bottom line: - The Chicago meeting is meant to be a high-traffic marketplace for natural gas executives looking for market intelligence, policy context and business deals in one place.