Most visitors come to Savannah to explore the past.
Today, however, close to 300 out-of-towners are at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center to talk about the future.
The Savannah International Clean Energy Conference opens this afternoon with a reception hosted by Gov. Nathan Deal and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. Thought leaders in the clean energy and sustainability fields from across the country and 11 foreign nations will attend the three-day event.
Energy company executives, venture capitalists and energy policy leaders will be among the attendees. The conference will be a “platform where business gets done,” said Shawn Lesser, one of the organizers of the event.
The conference features lectures and roundtable discussions on energy topics, highlighted by a “fireside chat” on the benefits and drawbacks of government subsidies and incentives for renewable energy employment — an issue in the past week’s presidential election.
Many regional energy sector leaders will speak at the conference, including John Somerhalder, CEO of Atlanta Gas Light and AGL Resources; Jill Stuckey, director of the Herty Advanced Materials Development Center; and Joseph Miler and Chris Hobson of Georgia Power and its parent company, Southern Company.
The conference serves as the annual gala of the Global Cleantech Cluster Association, an Atlanta-based consulting group aiming to build global coordination of cleantech companies.
The event will showcase Savannah’s and the region’s potential as a clean energy hub. That was what led local businessman Steve Green and Craig Lesser, the former commissioner of Georgia’s Department of Economic Development, to push for its creation.“It’s an opportunity to look at something very important to people around the world, and that’s energy policy, and to do it right here in Savannah,” Craig Lesser said.
Hosting the Savannah International Clean Energy Conference is a “major opportunity” for Savannah, said the Savannah Economic Development Authority’s Trip Tollison. The clean energy sector is a target of SEDA’s attraction efforts, especially given the recent launch of SEDA Innovations, a venture capital initiative.
The conference’s international presence, meanwhile, could also benefit the World Trade Center Savannah, another SEDA-related organization.
“This conference is a chance for us to show the world Savannah is serious about clean energy and attracting clean energy investment and jobs,” SEDA’s Tollison said. “And I’m looking forward to learning more about the sector.”
The conference could become a regular event on Savannah’s convention calendar. Craig Lesser has had talks about “alternating” between Savannah and an international city. Organizers will wait to hear the feedback from this week’s gathering before making any decisions.
IF YOU GO
Savannah International Clean Energy Conference
Today through Tuesday
Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Tickets: $995
Keynote speakers: Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn, president of American Council on Renewable Energy; John Somerhalder II, CEO of AGL Resources; Greg Wolf, president of Duke Energy Renewables.
About: The conference will explore the significance and global impact energy independence will have on clean energy, clean technologies and economic growth.
For more information, go to savannahcleanenergy.com.