Companies and individuals representing the global utility scale wind energy industry will gather once more next month, as the American Wind Energy Association hosts its annual WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition — this time at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
The event, to be held May 18-21, is the preeminent annual gathering of the utility-scale wind energy industry in North America, and provides stakeholders within the industry opportunities to share and address thoughts, concerns, and challenges surrounding the industry, both in the present and going forward.
As in years past, WINDPOWER 2015 is dually centered around an educational program as well as an industry exhibition. However, attendees can take advantage of additional training, networking, and recreational events, all of which coincide with the conference and exhibition.
WINDPOWER 2015 officially kicks off Monday, May 18 at 4:00 p.m. with the Opening Reception in the Orange County Convention Center’s South exhibit halls.
Conference
Tuesday, May 19 marks the official start to the conference, beginning at 8:30 a.m. with the opening general session, featuring AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan and opening keynote speaker Lisa Davis, member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG, Power and Gas, Wind Power and Renewables, and Power Generation Services.
Davis, a recent appointment to Siemens board, is expected to give a presentation on how the recent dip in the price of oil will affect renewable power generation methods, wind in particular.
A panel of prominent leaders from varied segments of the wind industry will take the general session stage on Wednesday to discuss trends and challenges currently facing the wind industry, as well as strategies for the future.
Also during Wednesday’s general session, best-selling author and marketing professor Jonah Berger will deliver a second keynote address, educating WINDPOWER participants on understanding how and why certain thoughts, products, and gain exponential growth and acceptance, to the point of “going viral.”
Berger is the author of “Contagious: Why Things Catch On”, a best-selling examination of the power of word of mouth advertising. Through sharing insights of his research, the intent of Berger’s presentation is to equip the wind energy community with the skills and thought processes necessary to carry the message of the U.S. wind energy industry to new heights.
The closing general session on Thursday, May 21, will feature a forum with executives from the wind energy industry’s leading large turbine manufacturers.
This year’s WINDPOWER 2015 conference sessions, as has been the case in years past, will feature topics of general interest, as well as sessions that are narrow in focus, and aimed at specific segments within the industry. Attendees are given the options of 20 individual sessions and four Power Sessions from which they can tailor their WINDPOWER conference experience.
Technical training sessions which require separate registration from the general conference are offered throughout the day on Monday.
Exhibition
Serving as an opportunity for business and overall industry development, AWEA has gathered hundreds of companies involved in the wind energy industry to participate in the exhibition portion of WINDPOWER 2015. Exhibitors from around the world will be on hand to showcase their services, products, and projects.
The exhibit hall will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Registration
Those who wish to register to exhibit or attend WINDPOWER 2015, are invited to do so online at www.windpowerexpo.org. Registrants have multiple attendance options, ranging from single-day conference or exhibition passes up to the VIP conference pass. Registration price schedules vary depending on date of registration and AWEA membership status.
Special Events & Networking
In addition to the conference and exhibition, networking opportunities and special events will be held during the week of WINDPOWER 2015.
Wind turbine manufacturer Suzlon is once again sponsoring the WINDPOWER 2015 Golf Open at Walt Disney World on Monday, May 18 starting at 7:00 a.m. Proceeds from the event benefit the Wind Energy Foundation.
On Tuesday, May 19, beginning at 4:30 p.m. participants are invited to join in Exhibition Happy Hour in the exhibit hall. Extended booth receptions follow from 6–8 p.m. on Tuesday only.
On Wednesday, May 20, beginning at 4:30 p.m., educational poster authors will be on hand in the exhibition hall to discuss their scholarship. Those with registered access to the exhibition hall are invited to attend the discussions.
This year’s conference dinner, held on Wednesday, May 20, is another networking opportunity for WINDPOWER attendees. The dinner, with the theme “An Exclusive Night in Old Havana” will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar. The conference dinner attendance is a separately ticketed event, and is not included with show registration.
** The full conference schedule for WINDPOWER 2015 can be found on page 48 of this issue.
For more information about WINDPOWER 2015, including education, registration, exhibitors, travel and housing information, sponsors, and special events, visit www.windpowerexpo.org.
