OIC Forum on Infrastructure Innovation
2026 OIC Forum on Infrastructure Innovation
At OIC, we're proud of our investments and their role in building sustainable infrastructure. We also value being part of a community of industry leaders focused on advancing technological, environmental and social innovation in infrastructure.
So, for the past three years, we've hosted the OIC ONE Forum on Infrastructure Innovation, a small gathering of partners, friends, entrepreneurs and other sector leaders and experts — people as passionate about their work as we are about ours. Inspired by companies from within our portfolio, we’ve hosted the OIC ONE Forum in Newport, R.I., Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. At this intimate event, everyone is a participant, sharing unique perspectives grounded in real-world experience.
We've found that these conversations help deepen existing relationships and forge new ones while sparking actionable insights and ideas. Judging from the feedback we’ve received, our guests have felt the same way.
This year, we are pleased to invite you to join us for the fourth annual OIC ONE Forum on Infrastructure Innovation, in Santa Monica, CA from September 29 - October 1, 2026. You can RSVP here
Please join us in Santa Monica as we dig in, speak up, and explore common ground and future opportunities for innovation in infrastructure.
We look forward to seeing you in Santa Monica!
Gerrit Nicholas
AGENDA
DAY 1: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Guests arrive at Casa del Mar Hotel Check-In is located in the lobby. Check-in for the event is located in the Colonnade Foyer.
11:00 AM - 12:45 PM Optional Lunch Offered on the Colonnade Terrace.
1:00 PM Official Start to the 2026 OIC ONE Forum Hosted in the Colonnade Ballroom. Refreshments offered.
1:00 - 1:15 PM Welcome Remarks from Gerrit Nicholas
1:15 - 2:30 PM What We Keep Getting Wrong (and Right) about China: Lessons Learned from Five Decades of Engagement A conversation with Stephen Orlins
2:30 - 3:30 PM What is the Iran War Doing for Global Energy? A conversation about chokepoints, adaptability, and the price of energy security. Presented by Jeff McDermott and Ed Miller
3:30 - 4:00 PM Coffee and Conversation
4:00 - 5:00 PM Over-Hyped or Under-Rated? A rapid-fire assessment of which infrastructure and energy trends are legit—and which may soon be gone with the wind—according to your votes. Teams featuring Nicolas Albrecht, Ariel Burt, Glen Davis and Vic Shao. Moderated by Jeremy Glick.
5:00 - 6:30 PM The United States and the Future of the Global Order: A Conversation with Ambassador Nicholas Burns and Gerrit Nicholas
6:30 - 7:30 PM Sunset Cocktails Hosted on the Colonnade Terrace.
7:30 - 9:30 PM Private Dinner at 1Pico Located inside Shutters on the Beach.
DAY 2: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
5:50 - 6:45 AM Beach Yoga
5:50 AM Beach Yoga Participants Congregate Participants to meet instructor in the hotel lobby before heading to the beach. Yoga mats will be provided.
6:00 - 6:45 AM Beach Yoga In Session
6:00 - 7:20 AM Grab & Go Breakfast Hosted in the Crimson Room.
7:20 AM Guests to Board Buses
7:30 - 10:00 AM Travel to Grapevine Renewable Fuels Refinery Snacks and refreshments will be offered. Bathrooms will be available.
10:00 - 10:20 AM Welcome and Introduction to the Grapevine Renewable Fuels Refinery Hosted in the GV Energy Visitor Center. Refreshments will be offered.
10:30 - 11:00 AM Tour of the GV Energy Renewable Fuels Refinery
11:00 - 11:30 AM Catered Lunch Hosted at the Refinery.
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM New Uses for Old Infrastructure How to know when rebuilding makes more sense than starting fresh—and where the opportunities are. A talk by David Marchese
12:15 - 2:45 PM Travel to Sony Pictures Studios Snacks and refreshments will be offered. Bathrooms will be available.
3:00 - 3:10 PM Welcome to Sony Pictures Studios! Hosted in the Scenic Arts Building. Refreshments will be offered.
3:10 - 4:20 PM The Myth of the AI Bubble Is today’s AI boom a rational buildout of a transformative technology or a classic investment bubble? A discussion with Timothée Fraisse and Steve Vavrik
4:20 - 4:45 PM Coffee and Conversation
4:45 - 6:00 PM What is Washington Thinking? With the November elections fast approaching, will the Democrats take control of Congress? What is Donald Trump’s agenda for his final two years as president Washington insiders Brad Gentile and John Katko of HillEast Group share the scoop on what’s about to happen.
6:10 - 6:30 PM Guided Tour of Sony Pictures Studios
6:30 - 8:00 PM Sunset Cocktails Hosted in Capra Park, Sony Pictures Studios.
6:40 - 7:45 PM The AGI Chronicles: The Inside Story of the Race to Create an Artificial Superintelligence Author, Journalist and Podcaster Kevin Roose in conversation with Nazar Massouh
8:00 - 10:00 PM Seated Private Dinner Hosted on First Avenue North, Sony Pictures Studios.
10:00 - 10:15 PM Travel to Casa Del Mar
10:15 - 11:55 PM Optional Nightcap Hosted at the Casa Del Mar Hotel Bar.
DAY 3: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1
7:30 AM Breakfast Opens Hosted in The Conservatory, Casa Del Mar.
8:00 - 9:00 AM The Next Great Infrastructure Opportunity Led by Nazar Massouh and Gerrit Nicholas
9:00 - 9:10 AM Closing Remarks from Nazar Massouh and Gerrit Nicholas
9:15 AM Official End to the 2026 OIC ONE Forum
ONE Forum Over the Years
To foster forward-looking conversation, in 2023 we hosted a small group of partners, friends and other sector experts in Newport, Rhode Island.
Continuing on the success of 2023, in 2024, we invited a similar group to Atlanta, Georgia.
The third annual OIC Forum on Infrastructure Innovation, in Denver, Colorado.
The fourth annual OIC Forum on Infrastructure Innovation, in Santa Monica, California, on September 29 - October 1, 2026.