6 Better Building Conferences We’re Attending
If you’re in the better building sector, attending building and home performance conferences should be considered an essential networking and educational tool. They only require a few days off a year, and not only will you gain expertise and information that can be put into practice right away, but they can also be very useful in making connections that can lead to new business down the road.
In this blog, we’ll run through some of the reasons why attending a few conferences a year is in your best interest, and highlight some of our personal favorites where you’ll be sure to find us in the next 12 months.
Who Can You Network With at Building Conferences?
No matter where the conference is you’re attending, the odds are good that people from a wide variety of industries who fall under the “better building” umbrella will be in attendance. At building conferences and tradeshows, you can expect to network with:
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Manufacturers/Distributors
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Contractors
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Educational Institutions
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Utility Companies
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Nonprofits
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Energy Consultants
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Trade Associations
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Government Agencies
What Can You Learn at Building Conferences?
Building conferences are a great way to stay up to date on cutting-edge building science, and many of them help contractors earn Building Performance Institute Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by attending workshops and presentations from industry experts. For business owners, those events are often centered around strategies for running your business more efficiently as well. Conferences are also one of the first places where you can hear about updates on industry-related policies, financing options, and new technologies—all things that could have a significant effect on the ongoing health of your business.
So, we’ve laid out some compelling reasons why building conferences are worth your time. Now, let’s go through a few of the conferences we look forward to the most throughout the year, with a bit of information on each and how you can find details for the next one scheduled.
RaterFest! (EnergyLogic Academy)
Who’s It For: Energy industry professionals
The closest upcoming conference might actually be the most unconventional. RaterFest!, a self-described “unconference” held in the Rocky Mountains, is presented by EnergyLogic Academy, a professional training organization for the energy industry, and offers a more intimate setting for networking and learning, with an atmosphere (and schedule) that’s more relaxed than your typical conference and trade show.
RaterFest! 2019 is scheduled for September 20–22 in Rocky Mountain Village, Colorado.
Pennsylvania Home Performance Conference & Trade Show (BPA)
Who’s It For: Home performance contractors in the Northeast US
In addition to their larger national conference—which is further down our list—the Building Performance Association also puts on a number of more-regional-focused conferences and trade shows. If the idea of attending a national conference is overwhelming, or you’re worried that much of the workshops and information being discussed might not be relevant to your business, regional conferences are a great choice.
The 2019 Pennsylvania Home Performance Conference & Trade Show will take place September 30-October 1 in State College, PA.
Better Buildings by Design Conference (Efficiency Vermont)
Who’s It For: Home performance contractors
The annual Better Buildings by Design (BBD) Conference is sponsored by Efficiency Vermont, and is a non-profit conference that focuses on “building durability, efficiency, and value for both residential and commercial projects.”
The theme for the upcoming 2020 Better Buildings by Design Conference is affordable energy, and the conference will be held February 5 & 6 in South Burlington, VT.
Solar & Energy Storage Northeast (Solar Power Events)
Who’s It For: Solar and energy storage professionals
Solar Power Events are organized by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), and are held throughout the year in different North American cities. These conferences educate attendees on sustainable energy trends and legislation impacting solar and storage demand, grid resilience, and electric reliability. Solar & Energy Storage Northeast is the largest forum in the region for the solar and energy storage industries.
The 2020 Solar Energy Storage Northeast Conference is scheduled for February 19 & 20 in Boston. Last year’s conference drew over 80 exhibitors and 1,700 attendees.
BuildingEnergy Boston (NESEA)
Who’s It For: Home performance and renewable energy professionals
BuildingEnergy conferences are organized every year in Boston and New York City by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA). These conferences are “designed by and for practitioners in the fields of high-performance building and design, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.”
The 2020 BuildingEnergy Boston Conference + Trade Show is scheduled for March 23 & 24 in Boston. Last year’s conference drew over 1,200 attendees.
National Home Performance Conference (BPA)
Who’s It For: Home performance contractors
Finally, the National Home Performance Conference is one of the largest and longest-running (nearly 35 years) national conferences for home performance and weatherization professionals. Put on by the Building Performance Association (formerly the Home Performance Coalition), the 2019 event in Chicago drew nearly 2,000 attendees from all 50 states, as well as 60 exhibitors.
The BPA’s 2020 National Home Performance Conference will take place April 27-30 in New Orleans.
Pick a Building Conference That Works for You
These are just a sample of all the building conferences held every year in the United States. Depending on your location and area of expertise, there are different options for professionals in the better building sector across the country. At Energy Circle, we’ve personally found conferences and trade shows essential to staying at the forefront of the industries for the clients we serve. It’s through the knowledge and networking we gain from attending that we’re able to best serve our client’s needs and advocate not only for the best digital marketing strategies for their specific industries today, but make educated recommendations for the future as well.