Once a year, MEEA invites all energy stakeholders to gather at our annual Midwest Energy Solutions Conference to raise awareness and reinforce the importance of energy efficiency in the Midwest. The annual conference is about celebrating accomplishments and inspirations in energy efficiency but it is also to remind stakeholders that we have a long way to go. Visit www.meeaconference.org to learn more about the Midwest Energy Solutions conference, view presentations and videos from past conferences, and register for next January's conference.
Highlights from the 2012 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference
We had an amazing conference this year, with record attendance and what many of our members, exhibitors, and collegues told us was the best one yet. Here are a few of the highlights from the 2012 conference. We hope you will join us in 2013 for the next one!
CHICAGO – Nearly 500 energy experts gathered in Chicago last week to discuss the new landscape of the efficiency industry at the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s (MEEA) 10th annual Midwest Energy Solutions Conference.
The largest event of its kind in the region, MEEA’s conference brings together a broad range of private- and public-sector thought leaders from across the country. Since its start in 2002, the conference has continued to grow, and this year broke all previous records for attendance as well as number of exhibitors.
“The Midwest Energy Solutions conference continues to expand, as awareness and investment in energy efficiency increase among the region’s consumers, businesses, manufacturers and service providers,” said Jay Wrobel, MEEA executive director. “From industry-leading utility programs to innovative projects that capture international attention, the Midwest is quickly becoming a proving ground for energy efficiency products and services.”
Written by Jessica Collingsworth on 25 January 2012
The Midwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit was held on Wednesday, January 11 th at the Fairmont in Chicago. The event was cosponsored by the World Resources Institute, Midwestern Governors Association, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, and Great Plains Institute. The summit hosted over 130 participants who included utilities, consultants, nonprofits, manufactures, and government officials.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn gave the opening remarks. He spoke on the importance of promoting industrial energy efficiency and producing ideas that the entire Midwest could work together on. Governor Quinn also spoke of his strong support for plans for the high-speed rail line which would connect Chicago with St. Louis and in his words “make Champaign Illinois a suburb of Chicago”.
Our guest blogger, Brian Rogal, wrote about some of the sessions at the 2012 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference that he found particularly engaging. Click the headlines to visit the MEEA Unplugged blog and read the stories.
The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance gives out our Inspiring Efficiency Awards annually. The 8th Annual Inspiring Efficiency Awards were held on January 12, 2012.
MEEA recognizes energy efficiency success in the Midwest with the following awards:
Inspiring Efficiency IMPACT Award:
Recognizing significant contributions to market transformation that have reduced energy consumption and/or increased market penetration of energy efficient products.
Inspiring Efficiency EDUCATION Award:
Recognizing the development and implementation of a local campaign, program, strategy, or idea to increase knowledge and action on energy efficiency.
Inspiring Efficiency LEADERSHIP Award:
Recognizing organizations or individuals who have served as strong leaders in support of energy efficiency.
Inspiring Efficiency INNOVATION Award:
Recognizing the development and implementation of new and innovative programs, ideas or policy in the Midwest.
Inspiring Efficiency MARKETING Award:
Recognizing an organization that has engaged in or supported a marketing campaign, program, strategy, or idea to increase the adoption of energy efficient products and/or best practices in the Midwest region.
