Save the Date: Clean Energy Connections Conference Organized by UMass Amherst is Set for Nov. 10 in Springfield
Oct. 15, 2009
| Contact: | Janet Lathrop 413/545-0444 |
AMHERST, Mass. – Though elements of the economy are stabilizing after the recent downturn, unemployment remains high and many people are looking into second or third careers in the new green energy economy. A practical day-long event, the “Clean Energy Connections Conference and Opportunity Fair,” organized by the University of Massachusetts Amherst and set for Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, will provide green energy career and business development information.
Conference organizer Loren Walker, associate director of research liaison at UMass Amherst, says the Clean Energy Connections is “a career and business
development information and networking event. It’s designed to be immediately useful to a wide variety of people interested in pursuing clean energy opportunities in their career or business.”
Two keynote speakers will open the day with brief discussions of green business and job training programs under way in New England and the region. UMass Amherst economics professor Robert Pollin will discuss “Green Recovery since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).” Andrew Shapiro, founder and president of Green Order, consultants for strategic sustainability in business, will speak on “Sustainability as a critical driver of profitable growth.”
Breakout sessions and panels will be held throughout the day, among them:
• Careers in energy efficiency, plus workforce trends and opportunities
• Energy efficiency as a growth sector and finding business opportunities
• Preparing for a clean energy career, finding training and educational opportunities
• Starting and financing a clean energy business, and accessing resources
• Growing the green economy in your community
“The conference is a terrific opportunity to expand your clean energy network,” Walker said. “Attendees can connect with entrepreneurs, business owners, community leaders and representatives of companies both large and small.”
Sponsors in addition to UMass Amherst include WGBY, GreenSpringfield, MassLive.com, Western Massachusetts Electric, Peoples Bank, MassMutual Financial Group and dozens more. Information is available at www.umass.edu/green/conference
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