Every year IAEE seeks to produce a conference that informs and motivates its attendees. The 2010 Iowa Energy Summit is an opportunity to bring several areas of energy efficiency into one venue.

Often those that pursue energy efficiency are very focused on the area in which they are heavily involved. This conference allowed those attendees to step outside their area of expertise and expand their knowledge about related topics. It also provided an update on the work of various organizations striving to improve energy efficiency in the State of Iowa.

The speakers and presenters are carefully selected to give each attendee a broader view to spark new ideas participants can take with them and incorporate into their own new and existing projects.

Many of the changes happen behind the scenes, but as a Summit attendee, you may notice some changes. Some of these changes we’re making include:

• Reducing the amount of paper used during the registration process by encouraging online registration.
• Confirming registrations electronically, instead of sending paper through the mail.
• Replacing bottled water with water stations.
• Reusing plastic badge holders and lanyards. 
• Reducing paper handouts by providing many conference materials on the IAEE website.
• Ensuring that IAEE’s remaining paper handouts, pens, and folders use recycled materials.
• Using mugs instead of disposable coffee cups.
• Serving condiments in serving containers, instead of individual packets.
• Donating unused food to local service organizations, where possible.

These are just some of the steps IAEE has taken to reduce waste and pollution, conserve energy and water and promote recycling.  Because we can’t do it alone, we need your help to make the greening of the IAEE Energy Summit a success.  If you have other suggestions about how to green our Energy Summit, please tell the IAEE Board or email jbeneke@iowaenergy.org or lriley@iowaenergy.org.