On January 19th, 2011, grantees from across the Southwest Region including the states of California, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada gathered at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to participate in a DOE sponsored EECBG and SEP networking and peer-exchange event. Eighty-two people attended, including fifty-five grantees from thirty unique city, county and state municipalities making it a successful and productive event. DOE Project Officer and HQ representatives also attended, along with moderators from the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) and the TAP Regional Coordinators from the Southwest.
Attendees participated in two panel discussion sessions: “Leading by Example in Public Buildings” and “Building Efficiency Beyond the Public Sector – Driving Demand for Retrofits.” One grantee commented, “Session content was not only relevant to present programs, but a useful platform for potential future programs. Excellent content and delivery!”
Breakout sessions expanded on:
• Leveraging Funding with Financing Mechanisms
• Workforce Development
• Renewable Energy
• Partnering with Utilities
• Climate Action Planning
• Sustainable Transportation
Peer interaction during these panels and breakouts was strong, with valuable resources being shared between participants. Grantees appreciated the dedicated networking opportunities that were structured into the meeting. These included on-site catered breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks, as well as a “Best Practices Brag Session” focused on extending the message of EECBG/SEP through communications and press. Grantees developed new connections and renewed former relationships with their neighbors and other fellow grant recipients, strengthening the network of energy practitioners across the Southwest Region.
Another participant shared, “As a result of this meeting, I will explore better use of TAP resources. I was not aware of how much was available!”
Meeting presentation and resources are available here: EECBG & SEP Regional Peer Exchange Meetings.
Our grateful thanks to the folks at the City of Los Angeles, CA and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, who generously donated the wonderful space and additional supplies! Special message from grantee: “Thank you for this opportunity and thank you for your time in organizing it! Thanks to LADWP!”
The remaining DOE Peer Exchange Meetings are as follows:
o Southeast -- March 3, Miami, FL (http://doetapsep2p.eventbrite.com/)
o Northwest -- March 7‐8, Portland, OR (http://doetapnwp2p.eventbrite.com/)
o Mid‐Atlantic -- March 10‐11, Washington, DC (http://doetapmap2p.eventbrite.com/)
o South Central -- March 15‐16, San Antonio, TX (http://doetapscp2p.eventbrite.com/)
o Northeast -- March 29‐30, Boston, MA (http://doetapnep2p.eventbrite.com/)
Do you have any suggestions for future peer-exchange meetings? Please post your suggestions below, along with any comments or questions you may have about the SW Regional Meeting.
Content for this blog post courtesy of Caroline Cochran & Aaron Burdick, Regional Coordinators, ICF International.