Extreme weather events have caused nearly 1,000 major power outages between 2014 and 2023, double the number of outages in the early 2000s. These disruptions leave millions without power each year, and their frequency is expected to continue to grow. Taking lessons learned from these events, utilities are upgrading infrastructure, adopting smart technologies, implementing load management strategies, and launching customer incentive programs. Emergency response initiatives have shown that customers can quickly provide substantial load flexibility through Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and Demand Response (DR). What would it take to replicate these successful outcomes nationally? This panel brings together utilities from across the country to discuss what they’ve done to improve readiness for emergency events and explore load flexibility as a grid resiliency tool. Panelists will share the operational requirements and challenges of the initiatives they manage, highlighting the innovations that have delivered the greatest value towards grid resilience.