Seeing as how the lineup has really filled out in recent weeks, it seems like a good time to give you the latest on this spring’s Green Intelligent Buildings Conference.

EXPERTISE FROM ES AND BEYOND
Let’s hit a few presenter/topic highlights:

- Our own columnistRebecca Ellis and previous ES author and commissioning expertRon Wilkinson will bring their insights to the "Designing & Commissioning Intelligent Buildings" session.

- Our friendJack Mc Gowan of Energy Control Inc. returns and is joined by Steve Schaefer of EnergyConnect, Inc. to present and discuss "Powering Intelligent Buildings: Energy And Demand Response."

-Dr. Joe Polastre of Sentilla and Tridium'sEd Merwin join forces to shed light on "Emerging Technologies."

- A co-author of our December cover story,Don MacLauchlan, P.E. of Elara Engineering, will run one of our morning workshops. He’ll also discuss the active façade and advanced building technologies in the article’s subject, the Loyola University’s digital library.

- The always-popularTommy Russo of Akridge Properties in Washington will return to present the workshop on commercial office spaces.

-Mark Jewell , of Real Win-Win and his ES “Energy Incentives” column, will also be lending his expertise in the Green Intelligent Building Lifecycle Track. That track lives up to its billing by addressing each stage from planning and financing on toward designing and commissioning, up through operations and maintenance plus energy and demand response concerns.

- Over in the technology track, the “Enterprise & Middleware” session will have a look at Quality Attributes Software’s Green Touchscreen and will also include a presentation fromJack Grabowski of American Energy Partners LCC.

As usual, there’s much more on the agenda. Editorial advisor and columnistPaul Ehrlich of Building Intelligence Group is at the front of this field, and he will share moderating duties along with his colleague Jeff Seewald and myself. Before we begin the Technology and Lifecycle tracks, the first morning will include the keynote and hands-on workshops to provide tailored ideas for Education and Commercial-minded attendees. As always, attendees can mix and match sessions from different tracks however they wish.

THE BIG PAYBACK

In light of recent economic events and the new administration’s interest in promoting energy efficiency, ideas like these take on renewed importance. In December, I wrote in our blog that an event with this breadth of knowledge and networking offers the chance to incorporate savings that justify the trip. Reviewing the lineup and considering the networking and discussion opportunities built into the schedule, it seems like you’d actually have to work pretty hard not to come away with ideas or contacts that would pay for the trip’s expenses and then some.

This year’s GIB event is headed for the new Westin Arlington Gateway in Arlington, VA, accessible to the area’s airports and very close to the District if you’d like to work in some springtime sightseeing. Per the headline, it’s also not far from some prime Civil War territory if you’re interested in that part of American history.

The early registration discount does end on March 1, so click the conference logo on the homepage to learn more, and register to join us in leading the charge toward tightening both your budget and your building performance.

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