As announced on Wednesday, April 1, due to circumstances beyond our control, and in the primary interest of the safety of our community, IDEA has decided to postpone IDEA2020 and integrate much of the program into the Campus Energy Conference in San Francisco on February 16-19, 2021.
This is a very difficult decision for IDEA on many levels. The only other time since our founding in 1909 that IDEA did not hold an Annual Conference was 1918 during the Spanish Flu epidemic and World War I. This moment may rival some of the challenges the world faced in 1918, but with history as our guide, IDEA has remained active for over 100 years since.
Many of you may have additional questions about this unfortunate postponement. We encourage you to read the entire statement below for complete details. If you have additional questions, please email us at idea@districtenergy.org as, like many of you, IDEA staff is working remotely and “staying at home” as directed by our state government.
We are working on plans and new initiatives to keep delivering invaluable educational content and opportunities to connect online - stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.
Please stay safe, look after your family and neighbors, and be well. We look forward to seeing you in person on the other side of these unprecedented times.
April 7, 2020
IDEA has been closely monitoring COVID19 pandemic conditions and public health guidance in Washington DC for many weeks. A recent briefing (Friday April 3) by DC Health and Mayor Bowser’s office shows an estimate of known and projected coronavirus cases peaking on July 1 at 93,676. For more information see the full briefing here and please visit DC Health Coronavirus Guidance for updates.
April 1, 2020
Dear IDEA Colleagues and Friends,
I hope this note finds you and your loved ones in good health. As we all adapt to the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID19 pandemic, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our IDEA colleagues and friends around the world.
I am writing to update on planning for the IDEA 2020 annual conference scheduled for June 22-25, 2020 in Washington, DC. Due to circumstances beyond our control, and in the primary interest of the safety of our community, IDEA has determined to postpone IDEA2020 and integrate much of the program into the Campus Energy Conference in San Francisco on February 16-19, 2021.
While there is no certainty that COVID19 will have fully abated and not rebounded by then, with an abundance of caution, we have determined that this approach is in the best interests of the majority of IDEA members and participants.
Why We Are Postponing IDEA2020
First, it reduces somewhat the risks that COVID19 public health restrictions may extend through 2Q, 3Q or even 4Q 2020. Second, it honors and transfers our commitments to exhibitors, sponsors and others to a known advanced date on the calendar rather than trying to fit a new event into Sept/Oct/Nov 2020. Third, it avoids and diminishes cash flow expenses in 3Q/4Q for our business partner exhibitors typically reserving space in 3Q/4Q for Campus Energy the following year.
Make no mistake, this is a very difficult decision for IDEA on many levels. The only other time since our founding in 1909 that IDEA did not hold an Annual Conference was 1918 during the Spanish Flu epidemic and World War I. This moment may rival some of the challenges the world faced in 1918, but with history as our guide, IDEA has remained active for over 100 years since.
What's Next?
Over the last few weeks, we evaluated numerous options with our host hotel and other parties, and are still working to re-book the IDEA Annual Conference into our next available opening in June, 2023. We still feel that Washington DC is a terrific venue for IDEA and will share more details as soon as possible. Again, I appreciate your patience as we contend with many uncertainties and rapidly-changing conditions.
Presenters and Panelists – For those whose abstracts were accepted and programmed for the Annual Conference, the technical program committee will be reaching out over the coming weeks to discuss your participation in Campus Energy 2021. We will be re-calibrating and revising the traditional campus program to accommodate additional content and participants. We appreciate your patience and continued interest. Kristen Hawkins (kristen.idea@districtenergy.org) will be your primary resource.
Exhibitors – We are working to confirm the exhibit space footprint and logistics to transfer your exhibit space reservation over to Campus Energy 2021. Our intent is to enable as seamless as possible a transition to minimize inconvenience, facilitate your involvement and provide additional value. Recognizing that the Annual is full size exhibits and Campus is table top, and the fee structures vary, we are assembling a package to re-balance but still deliver the valuable market outreach and unique collegial experience you have come to expect from IDEA. Tanya Kozel ( tanya.idea@districtenergy.org ) will be in contact with additional details shortly.
Virtual IDEA – Over the next few quarters, IDEA is enhancing our virtual platforms like IDEAConnect , webinars and website resources for members and the broader district energy community. One example is our COVID19 Working Group . Peer exchange and community connectivity are vital to everyone’s continued success, especially now with challenges like employee health and safety, essential and remote workforce, cybersecurity and load curtailment in suddenly vacated customer buildings. If you have ideas or any questions, please reach out to Jason Beal at Jason.idea@districtenergy.org .
Like many of you, IDEA staff is working remotely and “staying at home” as directed by our state government. We don’t know the full duration of this, but remain committed to the health and safety of our team, our members and our communities. Our work continues unabated, our IT systems are functioning as planned, and for now, the best way to reach us is via email at idea@districtenergy.org .
If, as a listed member of IDEA, you are interested in more details on how your association is managing on this particular matter, please send an email request to idea@districtenergy.org with subject line – IDEA COVID19 Background – and we will forward a background memo.
To all of you who have reached out recently with thoughts of goodwill, I greatly appreciate your continued support and urge you to please stay safe, look after your family and neighbors, and I look forward to seeing you again at IDEA in the very near future.
Robert P. Thornton
President & CEO, IDEA
rob.idea@districtenergy.org
March 27, 2020
IDEA is actively evaluating multiple options for how best to proceed with planning for our 111th Annual Conference & Trade Show scheduled to take place in Washington DC June 22-25, 2020. At this time, IDEA has suspended hotel reservations for IDEA 2020 pending further guidance and clarity on group assembly and travel accessibility from the CDC and DC Public Health Department. We do this with an abundance of caution out of concern for the safety and well-being of IDEA members and colleagues. Please check back for updates as we work through planning issues for IDEA 2020.
March 17, 2020
Until further notice, IDEA has suspended taking registrations for IDEA 2020 pending further guidance on group assembly and travel accessibility from the CDC and DC Public Health Department. We do this with an abundance of caution out of concern for the safety and well-being of IDEA members and colleagues. Please check back for updates as we work through planning issues for IDEA 2020.
March 16, 2020
RE: Update on planning for IDEA 2020, 111th Annual Conference & Trade Show, June 22-25, 2020
IDEA is actively evaluating how best to proceed with planning for our 111th Annual Conference & Trade Show scheduled to take place in Washington DC June 22-25, 2020. We are evaluating multiple options including holding the conference under new conditions or potentially postponing or cancelling, pursuant to ongoing discussion and negotiations with multiple parties. We are also working on virtual platforms to enable ongoing interaction and exchange among members.
In the past week, much has changed and quite rapidly. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic and the Mayor of Washington DC issued a public health emergency and recommendation to limit mass gatherings. On Friday, March 13, the President declared a national emergency, followed by a range of travel restrictions in the US and other countries. On Sunday, March 15 the Center for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) released a recommendation to postpone or cancel gatherings of 50 or more for the next 8 weeks.
Our priority remains the health and safety of IDEA members, staff and colleagues from around the world. This is clearly a time of unprecedented uncertainty that will demand our best efforts to adapt and persevere, requiring a spirit of cooperation, not unlike the days following 9-11.
Please check back here for updates or call our office at +1 508-366-9339. As this is a very fluid situation, and we do not control all outcomes, we appreciate patience as we evaluate and work through options. Please be aware that the IDEA office is located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts which is undergoing significant increase in presumptive infections. Our responsiveness may be impacted by limitations imposed by public health guidance.
For additional information, please refer to the following:
March 10, 2020
IDEA 2020 Annual Conference & Trade Show proceeding as planned.
As you know, COVID-19 has been causing significant disruptions across the globe. IDEA has been actively monitoring and will continue to monitor conditions related to COVID-19, especially as it relates to the safety and well-being of our members, staff and colleagues. IDEA extends our sincere condolences to those with family or friends impacted.
At this time, to our knowledge, no federal government restrictions are in place to prevent meetings and travel within the United States, including in Washington, DC.
Accordingly,
IDEA 2020 “New Vision for District Energy” will take place as planned on June 22-25, 2020 at The Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.
We take seriously the health and well-being of our members and guests as we plan for our 111th Annual Conference and Trade Show. We are taking and will be taking all appropriate precautions to ensure the health and safety of conference participants and are consulting regularly the latest guidance from the following:
•
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention•
World Health Organization•
District of Columbia public health authoritiesAs the situation evolves, we also encourage IDEA 2020 participants to consult these sources as they prepare for the conference. We will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available.
Since 1909, IDEA has held an annual conference and trade show, as we believe strongly that in-person meetings, peer-to-peer exchange and interaction with business partners are vital to the advancing the collective interests and best practices of the global district energy industry.
Please visit
https://www.districtenergy.org/idea2020 for updates on programming and announcements as the event dates get closer.
Thank you and we look forward hosting IDEA members and guests in Washington, DC in June.
IDEA 2020, the 111th Annual Conference & Trade Show
“New Vision for District Energy” - June 22-25, 2020
The Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC 20008