Ways to Get the Most Out of the 2016 ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit

With more than 2,000 attendees, 270+ cutting-edge technologies exhibiting, and a wide variety of educational sessions available, navigating a large conference can be difficult. Keep reading for tips on how to maximize your time at the 2016 ARPA-E Innovation Summit and get the most out of this event based on your energy interests. 

Panel Sessions: How to Select the Right Ones

This year’s Summit will feature a multitude of breakout sessions with distinguished panelists discussing a wide variety of energy topics. Each panel has a distinct focus, making it easy for you to determine which panels are of interest to you. 

Four panel topics available to attend:

1. Technical: The technical panels will focus on various challenges and the application of energy technologies as solutions.
2. Commercialization: Commercialization panels will address various topics affecting how technologies move from the lab to the marketplace.
3. Policy & Markets: These panels will evaluate the implications of various policies and market realities that affect a technology’s chances for success.
4. Fast Pitches: Fast Pitches feature eight-minute presentations from ARPA-E Program Directors and Fellows about current and future program concepts.

Each breakout time slot will feature panels from each of these topics, allowing you to follow one track or mix and match depending on your interests and what you hope to get out of the Summit. Most sessions will conclude with a question and answer session, providing the opportunity for attendees to contribute to panel discussions and hear feedback from expert panelists. 

Navigating the Tech Showcase

The Summit Technology Showcase is always an attendee favorite. The Tech Showcase will feature more than 270 innovative energy technologies, many of which will be on public display for the first time. The Tech Showcase is the perfect forum to network with other Summit attendees and learn about up-and-coming technologies. The showcase map can be found online here, and you will also find it in the Summit program and on the mobile app. It may be beneficial to you to identify booths of interest to visit before arriving. 

You can also keep an eye out for Tech Showcase tours that will be led by ARPA-E Program Directors and Technology-to-Market Advisors. Tours will focus on a specific technological area (e.g. grid, storage, solar) and feature notable booths within those areas. Visit the ARPA-E booth to learn more about the tours.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran Summit attendee, we hope these tips will help you get the most out of your conference experience. We can’t wait to see you at the 2016 Energy Innovation Summit!