June 21, 2016: 6:00-8:30 PM – Saint Paul RiverCentre

The International District Energy Association (IDEA) conference is coming to Saint Paul, Minnesota, June 20-23. This conference provides a unique opportunity to bring civic, business, community, academic, and scientific leaders together to discuss the future of energy systems in our cities, communities, and campuses.

Please join us for a forum on emerging energy trends, showcasing Minnesota and international perspectives. The conference theme, Embracing Change, provides a platform to explore new technologies, policy trends, and how utilities and businesses are changing to meet market and consumer demands.

6:00-7:00 PM – Community Engagement Reception
Join students, teachers, local leaders and experts, and conference attendees for a special engagement event in the conference exhibit hall. We will feature unique art and science engagement activities provided by the Water Bar and Springboard for the Arts Ready Go program, including the Really Big Table (to share your really big ideas). Each installation seeks to promote conversations about our future cities, our energy systems, and our environment. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet local students and over 100 vendors working in the energy field.

Springboard Arts Ready Go

7:00-8:30 PM – Perspectives from MN and around the World
Ever-Green Energy and IDEA will facilitate a dynamic and informative speaker session, sharing a broad range of perspectives on our current and future energy systems. Invited speakers include Commissioner Shawntera Hardy (Minnesota Department of Economic Development), Ken Smith (Ever-Green Energy), Jakob Bjerregaard (Danish Embassy), Werner R. Lutsch (The Energy Efficiency Association for Heating, Cooling, and CHP – Germany), and Dr. Massoud Amin (University of Minnesota).

Attendee Information
Guests must pre-register through our EventBrite registration program, to ensure we have enough room for attendees. Space is limited, so please register early. Registration closes on June 15 or when tickets are sold out. The Tuesday evening program is a ticketed, free event.

Appetizers will be served and a cash bar will be available.

The IDEA annual conference is open to anyone interested in how energy will be planned, produced, and consumed in our communities, our campuses, and our businesses. Please visit the IDEA website for more information about the district energy in cities and microgrid workshops, as well as a robust conference program.

Learn more about student opportunities at the IDEA conference.