In spite of a dreary economy and mediocre track record for other conferences in Boston this year, attendance for BE09 was up over last year. More people than ever (40% more, to be exact) attended the Tuesday workshops. The Residential Buidling track, "Homes for the Next Hundred Years," registered some of the highest attended sessions in BE history with over 280 people in the audience for John Straube's Wednesday presentation. NESEA night entertained nearly 200 people and the trade show floor was packed on Thursday.

Overheard on the trade show floor were two attendees agreeing that, "It gets better every year." Dan Morrison's blog, Green Building Advisor, once again praised NESEA's conference as being "the best little conference in the Northeast." There was also great feedback from Christian Koch, editor of Eco-Structure Magazine: "I was so impressed by the quality of people and the level of thinking that I would love to be more involved with NESEA.... The word is out that Building Energy is one of the best conferences available for professionals interested in smart and sustainable buildings."

At the NESEA blog, www.nesea.org, great discussion was sparked by a terrific Public Forum debate about LEED and energy. Other blogs and web based news agencies also provided many angles of coverage:

Martin LaMonica with CNET News posted a review at their site:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10195899-54.html

John Wilson of Newfangler Productions (byline: Clean Technology for a Better World) has posted some video of the conference at the following link:

http://www.newfangler.com/building_energy_2009_vid.htm

Thanks again to all the speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, attendees and volunteers who helped create a great conference this year. Save the date for BE10: we'll be back in Boston at the Seaport for another great show March 9 - 11, 2010.

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Now in its 34th year, NESEA's BuildingEnergy09, brings together the professionals and decision-makers who shape the practice of sustainability. Nearly 200 of the country's best presenters will define the leading edge of smart building, energy efficiency and renewable energy. Successful retrofit and new construction projects demand the best tools and solutions. The whole systems approach to sustainability that BE09 embraces will give you a competitive edge in a growing market. Save the date!

Recommended for architects, engineers, builders, building systems designers and owners, facility managers, developers, investors, real estate professionals, municipal & building code officials, sustainability coordinators, policy makers, planners and students.

Henry Gifford

If you practice sustainability, this is where you belong. Mark your calendar to attend BuildingEnergy09 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston on March 10- 12, 2009. Come be part of the solution!