Don Albinger, Vice President Renewable Energy Solutions, Johnson Controls
I’m not sure it’s going to replace miles of trade show aisles and stress balls that look like light bulbs, but last week’s Virtual Energy Forum certainly is a step in the right direction when it comes to communicating targeted information about energy and sustainability. Instead of bearing the financial, environmental and emotional toll of travel, both speakers and attendees could learn, ask questions and discuss issues right from the comfort of their own cubicle.
According to its organizers, including the U.S. Department of Energy, “the Virtual Energy Forum is an online-only event focused on how leading companies can implement better energy management practices to cut cost and adopt clean energy alternatives. Over 5,000 attendees, speakers and exhibitors from around the world come to this online-only event to meet, interact, and learn about alternative energy solutions, clean technologies, sustainability, energy monitoring and green buildings.”
Johnson Controls helped sponsor the two-day event, which provided us an opportunity to make a presentation. I talked about one of my favorite topics: "Achieving the Triple Bottom Line through Smart Environments." It gave me a chance to present the technologies and processes for developing and deploying onsite renewable energy, including wind, solar, landfill gas, biomass, and photovoltaic.
As many people know, Johnson Controls develops customized deal structures and implements these projects – often with energy savings paying for a portion of the project. I tried to communicate a sense of reality about what these technologies can accomplish, along with the fact that they are now becoming economically viable.
Trade show “attendees” could call in and ask questions, which were very wide-ranging. It gave me a chance to talk in detail about large projects – including what Johnson Controls is doing globally with its own carbon footprint – and local projects, such how we’re working with Wynandotte Middle School in Michigan on a small solar project with an educational component for the 8th grade science class. Chicago sportscaster Lou Canellis acted as moderator and did a great job of facilitating the discussion so all listeners could gain knowledge.
Companies that make name-tag holders and booth carpet don’t have to worry: traditional trade shows offer more personal face-to-face exchanges and a chance for longer discussion, so they’ll always be around. But for people who really want to get focused information about a topic or company and don’t have the time or budget for travel, the virtual venue works – and I’m sure we’ll see more of them.
