http://aceee.org/conf/mt08/ 

ACEEE and CEE are pleased to announce the 12th annual National Symposium on Market Transformation. For over a decade, the Symposium has brought together policy makers, program planners, implementers and evaluators, as well as manufacturers and trade allies to discuss the latest progress in the field of market transformation. Since the inaugural workshop in 1997, the symposium has responded to shifts in the economic, political, and regulatory climate for energy efficiency programs and services.

Today, our field is faced with a new challenge: increasing interest in reducing energy use and addressing climate change, which affects both the demand for our services and the savings targets policy-makers are asking us to meet.  In an era of emerging climate- and energy-consciousness, new opportunities and challenges are emerging with a greater number of players, from local leaders to multi-national corporations and the proliferation of “green” products and services. The politics and economics of energy-efficiency are changing, introducing new challenges in meeting demand, evaluating program effectiveness, competing for funding, and coordinating activities.

The 2008 National Symposium on Market Transformation will focus on renewing our understanding of market transformation and the role it has to play in addressing climate change. It will explore the long-term opportunities and challenges for MT through a stimulating program covering the latest in program strategies, big, bold initiatives for expediting energy efficiency, industry partnerships, and new approaches to program evaluation. Sessions include:

• An opening plenary will cover policy drivers to support more aggressive market transformation approaches directed toward climate change mitigation.  The session will feature prominent speakers who will discuss U.S. and international policy addressing climate change and the role for market transformation in meeting national and global needs.

• Large breakout sessions covering the broad scope of new market transformation activity including local action, big, bold initiatives, the business case for energy efficiency, new regional activities, and new directions in emerging technologies and gas programs.

• Smaller working sessions allowing participants to discuss a number of important and timely topics. Topics covered will include residential and commercial buildings and equipment, industrial sector strategies, policy and program tools, evaluation and market research issues, and new directions.
  

Check back periodically for updated schedule and program information.

An Opening Reception will be held on Sunday, March 30.
Please stop in to greet your friends and colleagues before the Symposium gets started.
The informal reception will run from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

A Cocktail Reception sponsored by ICF Consulting
will be held at the end of the first day of the Symposium program.
Please join us at 6:00 pm on Monday, March 31 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.