Industries of the Future-West Virginia (IOF-WV) will celebrate 10 years of creating energy-related advances and advantages for West Virginia companies when it holds its annual symposium Nov. 7-10 at the Charleston Town Center Marriott.
IOF -WV, a joint program of West Virginia Universitys National Research Center for Coal and Energy (NRCCE), West Virginia Development Office and U.S. Department of Energy, works with West Virginias traditional industries to increase energy efficiency and reduce waste through partnerships between West Virginia companies, WVU researchers and national laboratories.
It is significant that the program has endured for 10 yearsthrough our strong partnership with the West Virginia Development Office and because dedicated faculty and student research groups work closely with national laboratories and industry on projects to increase energy efficiency, reduce operating costs and help our companies be more competitive,said Carl Irwin, IOF co-director and event organizer.
The four-day conference features a variety of speakers. On Nov. 9, a panel of experts will discussIndustrial Energy Choices: A New Paradigm for West Virginia.Among the speakers will be Brian Kastick, director of the West Virginia Office of Public Policy and Federal Affairs, and Charles Bayless, president of WVU Institute of Technology.
Irwin hopes this session will foster additional choices for West Virginia companies, such as industrial energy recycling, maximizing efficiency and diversifying sources of fuels and power.
Other symposium highlights include a policy and regulatory discussion on Nov. 8 by state Sen. Brooks McCabe and West Virginia Public Service Commission Chair Jon McKinney on approaches to creating energy advantages for West Virginia industry.
A 10 -year celebration dinner and speech on U.S. manufacturing by Richard A. McCormack, editor and publisher of Manufacturing and Technology News are also planned.
In addition, a reception at the Dow South Charleston Technical Center to hear plans for expanded partnerships and development of new technology businesses is slated for Nov. 7. Speakers for that event are Allan Fowler, vice president of Dows West Virginia operations, and John Weete, vice president for research and economic development at WVU .
Symposium participants can also take part in a workshop on how intellectual property and entrepreneurship can empower West Virginias industrial future and hear what U.S. Department of Energy experts expect in energy prices and emerging energy technologies over the next 10 years.
Registration is $125 for the symposium and $75 to exhibit. For more details, contact Kathleen Cullen, 304-293-2867, ext. 5426, or at Kathleen.Cullen@mail.wvu.edu . The full symposium agenda and exhibit registration form can be accessed on the IOF -WV Website athttp://iofwv.nrcce.wvu.edu