World Energy Engineering Congress Conference and Expo Comes to the Fastest Growing Energy Hub in the Southeast

ATLANTA, Sept. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Extreme weather conditions, like those experienced with Hurricane Florence, reinforce the need for clean, stable energy infrastructure and energy resiliency. A recent survey of AEE members reveals that over 66% of respondents believe that there is a current shortage of energy professionals, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported positions within the alternative energy and renewables industries, such as solar and wind, will be among the top 5 fastest growing occupations for the U.S. from 2016-2026. Focusing on the rising demand for energy efficiency, green collar and renewable energy professionals, the World Energy Engineering Congress, WEEC, will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina for the first time this October 17-19, 2018.  North Carolina boasts a diversified energy and energy efficiency industry, with a 9.3% growth since 2010, making it the fastest growing energy cluster in the Southeast. With this booming energy market, the region is a top location to present this year's WEEC event.

Each year thousands of energy managers, VPs of operations and facility team professionals come to the annual WEEC conference and expo to network with their peers, share best practices, and learn about the latest industry developments. Presented by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and hosted by Duke Energy, WEEC is in its 41^st year - making it one of the longest running events for business, industrial and institutional energy users.

"Our members recognize and attend events like WEEC because they bring together the top experts in all areas of energy management, power, buildings and clean technologies," stated Bill Kent, Executive Director of AEE. "These are the individuals that are discussing and defining the paths to improved energy efficiency, facility optimization and sustainability."

The WEEC conference program showcases over 250 educational sessions with topics covering energy management, smart grid, buildings and facilities, energy services, commissioning, and sustainable development, which helps facility managers and building owners identify creative ways to reduce their energy consumption. Featured speakers opening the program this year include:

• Building a Smarter Energy Future, from Duke Energy's Lynn Good, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
• The Economic Opportunities of the Energy Transition, from Felipe Calderon, President of Mexico (2006-2012), Chair of The Global Commission on the Economy & Climate, Statesman of the Year, World Economic Forum
• Confessions of a Corporate Futurist: Coming Trends That Will Revolutionize Your Business from Sheryl Connelly, Manager, Global Consumer Trends and Futuring, Ford Motor Company
• The Sky Is Not the Limit: Lessons from a Year in Space from Captain Scott Kelly, History-Making U.S. Astronaut & Retired U.S. Navy Captain

Special events will include a council on women in energy breakfast with featured speaker Katherine Hammack, Executive Director, Government & Public Sector from Ernst & Young LLP discussing gender diversity in the workplace, an AEE North Carolina and Piedmont Chapter Luncheon with speaker Paul Camuti, Senior VP of Innovation & Chief Technology Officer from Ingersoll Rand discussing a systems approach to energy efficiency, as well as free technical workshops in the expo hall ranging from health care energy savings, demand response best practices to HVAC optimization.

As a complement to the conference program, the WEEC expo will display technologies helping commercial, industrial, and institutional customers save on their energy costs, upgrading their facilities with innovative solutions, and implementing new or retrofit construction projects which will help drive the new clean energy economy.

"The expo allows end users to interact face to face with over 250 vendors, many of them local to the Charlotte and the southeast energy marketplace. They get to explore the latest products, technology and services in a dynamic, interactive environment," said Bill Kent. "These are what make WEEC a shared community for all involved, and Charlotte is at the forefront of sustainable energy developments, so it will be an ideal location for anyone looking to grow, invest and connect."

The WEEC will close with the Keynote Luncheon presentation, Brief History of the Relationship between Natural Gas and Electricity, from speakers Frank Yoho, EVP, President ? Natural Gas, Duke Energy and Rosa Sanz, Chief Operating Officer EMEA Infrastructures, Naturgy.

Register for conference or complimentary expo:  www.energycongress.com

About AEE: www.aeecenter.org

SOURCE Association of Energy Engineers