Top 5 reasons why you can’t miss AWEA’s industry leader-driven symposium

The third quarter numbers are in, and 2015 is shaping up to be a strong year for wind energy. Installations are up, wind power’s costs have dropped 66% in just six years, and technological advances are creating exciting new opportunities. With the goal of continuing this success into 2016 and beyond, the AWEA Wind Energy Fall Symposium is coming up next week, with a comprehensive senior executive, or C-level, program. Here are a few key highlights:

Keynote speaker Alan Webber, the Fast Company co-founder and 2014 New Mexico Gubernatorial candidate, is set to take the stage during Fall Symposium’s keynote addresss. Alan is expected to zero-in on change and how good leaders both anticipate it and make the most of it. With energy currently being a hot topic in New Mexico, attendees can expect to hear Alan’s native viewpoint to discuss how we all should think about energy, both as a business itself and as an input that affects nearly every aspect of society. He’ll be a part of the Opening Session that also features:
Tom Kiernan, CEO, AWEA
Michael Garland, President & CEO, Pattern Energy Group Inc., Chair, AWEA Board of Directors
• Chris Brown, President, Vestas, Incoming Chair, AWEA Board of Directors
Kevin Gresham, Government Relations & External Affairs, E.ON North America
• Michelle Arenson, Regional Director, Wind Generation, Alliant Energy
Peter Duprey, President & CEO, Broadwind Energy
Ray Wood, Managing Director and Global Head of Power & Renewables, Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Emerging leaders – Launched in 2014, AWEA’s Emerging Leaders Program will begin its second year at the Symposium. Created to support the next generation of industry leaders, this program connects the up-and-comers in wind energy with the seasoned professionals that have championed the industry and helped move it into the successful space it enjoys today. Any long-term strategy is contingent upon the next generation to see it through, so this is an excellent chance to start laying the groundwork for tomorrow’s prosperity.

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Take advantage of valuable networking opportunities.

Networking – Building business is the ultimate goal of most people in the industry and expanding your contact base is a vital component of realizing that success. Beginning next week, there will be many opportunities to connect with fellow members, starting with the Welcome Networking Reception sponsored by Shermco Industries and the WindPAC Reception, and closing with an “idea exchange,” allowing peers to collaboratively discuss provoking topics of interest.

Crowdsourcing session – Leading the session about the role technology plays in the future is Jose Zayas, Director, Wind & Water Power Technologies Office, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy. He’ll be joined by panelists Borja Negro, CEO-North America, Gamesa, John Purcell, Vice President, Energy Division, Leeco Steel, and Daniel Shreve, Partner, MAKE Consulting during “Crowdsourcing the Future of Wind Technology,” where they will show how research and technology gains will enable wind power across all 50 U.S. states and help our industry reach 20% wind energy by 2030. However, they are also looking to attendees to guide this session. During the first day of the symposium, attendees can submit related questions and they will be added to the full discussion during the closing session.

AWEA Community Engagement Seminar – This co-located event is a first for the Symposium and focuses on building and maintaining community acceptance during the planning and development of wind projects. Despite high overall public approval for American wind power, fostering local community support is critical to getting any project off the ground. This seminar hones in on the best practices for engagement and the latest research that guides it. The session will be led by Harley McDonald, Lead/Senior Business Developer, Iberdrola Renewables and John Davies, CEO & Chairman, Davies Public Affairs. Separate registration is required.

The AWEA Wind Energy Fall Symposium, held November 3-5, is coming to the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Registration is still open at www.awea.org/symposium. Separate registration is required for the following co-located events: DOE Executive Summit on Wind Research and Development (Nov. 1-3), Women of Wind Energy Leadership Forum (Nov. 3), and the AWEA Community Engagement Seminar (Nov. 5).

 

 

 

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