NorTech will host the Advanced Energy B2B Conference and Expo in Columbus next week, Oct. 30 and 31 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The conference focuses on companies, technologies and researchers driving progress in advanced energy in Ohio.

NorTech officials decided to move the conference to Columbus this year to make it a state-wide event. Last year the event was held in Akron. “We moved it to Columbus this year to make the networking as broad as possible,” says NorTech CEO Rebecca Bagley. “The conference will show ideas around new innovations and technologies provide networking and capitalize on future synergies.”

However, the issues covered impact Cleveland’s economic base. Advanced energy means $30 billion in new or expanded businesses -- including 6,800 new jobs over the next seven years in Northeast Ohio alone.

Nineteen Northeast Ohio companies will be participating in four Technology Showcases: energy storage and fuel cells; smart grid technology; waste and biomass to energy; and solar technology. There will also be student showcases included that are looking for collaboration and funding.

NorTech has created a software program using LinkedIn to connect companies with similar interests. “With this system, it’s as conducive as it can be to find businesses and research opportunities,” says Bagley. “Companies obviously get generalized networking out of the event, but we also have this system that connects companies to potential opportunities. This will connect companies so they can preliminarily talk.”

Keynote speakers include Bill Ritter, Jr., Colorado's 41st Governor and director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University and Todd A. Snitchler, chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

Source: Rebecca Bagley
Writer: Karin Connelly