Why Join IDEA?

Questions? Just Ask!

No matter what role you play in the district energy ecosystem, you’ll enjoy a wealth of personal and professional benefits when you join IDEA. It is our mission to provide you with educational content and opportunities to connect that you can’t get anywhere else. Become a member today and engage with like-minded district energy champions like you who are eager to learn from industry experts, discover emerging technologies, and collaborate with colleagues all over the world.

In a little more than a decade, membership with IDEA has tripled as emerging voices from the energy industry join the conversation. Like them, you can enjoy the following membership benefits.

Our Latest Educational Innovation: The IDEA Learning Center

From online webinars to in-person conferences, IDEA offers hundreds of presentations and sessions annually to our community, each delivering a wealth of knowledge and insight to our community. With so much valuable content, we needed a central place to bring it all together for everyone in easy access.

That place is the IDEA Learning Center.

The IDEA Learning Center is our new online educational content hub, housing a wealth of cutting-edge educational offerings over the years from IDEA, including recordings and slide decks from our in-person conferences and webinars into one easy to navigate platform. There, you’ll find best practice insights, discover emerging technological trends, and get real-world solutions from experts with been-there/done that experience.  And, if you need CEs, you can get them here, many free of charge.

The IDEA Learning Center is searchable on many levels, including subject matter and keyword, making it easy to find content relevant to you. Set up a profile with your interests highlighted, and the Learning Center will recommend content for you.

While some content in the IDEA Learning Center is free and open to all visitors, most materials are reserved for conference attendees or available for purchase for a small fee. As an added benefit, listed IDEA members receive complimentary access to up to five sessions each year - delivering even more value from your IDEA membership.

Whether you are brand new to district energy or a seasoned veteran, the IDEA Learning Center is more than just a library - it’s a launchpad for lifelong learning, helping you deepen your expertise, broaden your perspective, and keep you ahead of the curve. We encourage you to visit the IDEA Learning Center at learn.districtenergy.org to see what awaits.

Conferences, Workshops and Webinars
Since 1909, IDEA has presented annual conferences that feature peer-reviewed technical presentations and interactive sessions that serve as a roadmap for the future of district energy. Each year, we shatter attendance records as industry leaders comes to the table to join the discussion. As a member, you will receive substantial discounts to attend.

District Energy Magazine
Members receive printed and digital subscriptions of District Energy magazine. Published four times a year, District Energy is one of the industry’s leading publications for news, technical information and insight into the latest topics and issues affecting the district energy and combined heat and power industry.

Content @ www.districtenergy.org
IDEA offers an unprecedented amount of content on its website including links to industry and member news, conference proceedings, publications, case studies, and industry reports. In addition, you can find or post RFP/RFQ in our Business Opportunities section and find or post your next job in the Employment Opportunities section. IDEA delivers a weekly newsletter highlighting important news you need to know, curated from our web site.

Products and Services Directory
We like to think of this as our virtual, open year-round exhibit hall. The IDEA Products and Services Directory is an innovative, online searchable database that connects you with manufacturers, suppliers and service providers who can partner with you on your next project. Consistently one of the most visited pages on our website, only member companies are eligible to be listed in the directory. So, if you’re a manufacturer/supplier/service provider looking to find your next customer, you need to be here.

IDEA Exhibit Hall
An integral part of our Annual and CampusEnergy conferences, the always sold-out IDEA Exhibit Hall features all the top manufacturers and suppliers in the industry. If your system is looking for a new partner – or if you’re a manufacturer/supplier looking to offer your services – this is the place to be.

IDEA Membership Directory
IDEA keeps members connected through this unique online communication portal. The IDEA Membership Directory allows you to search for members by multiple criteria including keyword, company name, location and more. Found who you’re looking for? Send them a message directly through the portal and start a dialogue between fellow IDEA members.

IDEA Connect
IDEA’s online chat room, IDEA Connect, gives members the opportunity to post a conversation topic or question for other IDEA members to comment on. Whether you’re crowd-sourcing solutions, gathering opinions, or just looking to discuss a hot topic, IDEA Connect gets you in touch with the right audience to help. If you don’t have a question, hop in and see if you can lend your expertise to an existing conversation.

Network at Conferences
One thing you’ll notice at IDEA conferences is the unparalleled camaraderie in this unique community. Through social events, networking lunches, forums, our conference app and more, IDEA conferences give you the opportunity to meet face-to-face with colleagues from all facets of the industry.

Since 1909, IDEA has been a go-to resource for the district energy community. As the industry continues to evolve, we hope you will be part of the conversation about its future by joining today. Contact Scott Szycher, Membership Manager at 508-366-9339 or scott.idea@districtenergy.org and let's find out how we can work together.