Attendee FAQ


IDEA2026 is 4 days of education, exhibits and exchange of ideas for everyone in the district energy industry. We can't wait to see you in Ottawa!
We are honored to be hosting IDEA2026 in Ottawa this year, hosting more than 800 attendees, speakers, and exhibitors. 
 
Below are some key details, helpful hints and general knowledge that will help get you through the conference. 

Should you need assistance or have questions about the conference, please contact us via email at conference.idea@districtenergy.org. 


Navigating IDEA2026

The activities of the IDEA2026 conference are split between two connected venues. Registration, preconference workshops, educational sessions, breakfasts, and the exhibit hall, will take place at Rogers Centre Ottawa.


Plenary panels, award sessions and lunches during the Main Program (Wednesday and Thursday) will be held at the adjacent Westin Ottawa, connected directly to the convention center by a connector bridge on level 2 of both the Westin and Rogers Centre.


If you’re staying at the Westin Ottawa, you can take the connector bridge from the hotel and it will drop you near registration. If you’re staying at the Fairmont, you can walk past the Westin on Colonial By Drive, enter the Rogers Centre from the street level entrance, and take the elevators to IDEA Registration on level 2. Or, if you prefer, you can enter the Westin, take the escalators or elevators to the 2nd floor, and take the connector bridge to the Rogers Centre. 

If you’re driving to the event, we do not have parking reserved nor do we validate at the Center or any hotels. There are 2 indoor parking garages beneath the Rogers Centre and the attached CF Rideau Mall; standard public parking rates apply.

Attendee Discounts Through Flash Your Badge

There's a lot to do after hours in Ottawa and many establishments are offering discounts to IDEA2026 attendees. Click the link below for details on the "Flash Your Badge Discount Program.'

Flash Your Badge Discount Program

Program Highlights

Just a quick summary of what to expect each day but make sure to consult the schedule and/or conference app (coming soon) for granular details.

Tuesday, June 23
• Preconference Workshops: District Energy & Data Centers and Thermal Energy Networks Market Development
• Young Professionals District Energy 101 Program and YPG Forum
• IDEA Forums
• Exhibit Hall Opening Reception

Wednesday, June 24
• Two Opening Plenary Sessions featuring North American and Global Industry Leaders
• Five concurrent technical tracks throughout the day, with refreshment breaks in the exhibit hall in between
• Poster presentations throughout the day, outside of the exhibit hall
• IDEA Awards Luncheon and Global MOU Signing
• Exhibit Hall Cocktail Reception
 
Thursday, June 25
• Morning General Session or Awards Session and Plenary Panel: District Energy as an Electricity System Resource
• Five concurrent technical tracks throughout most of the day, with refreshment breaks in the exhibit hall in between
• Annual Business Meeting & Recognition Luncheon 
• Poster presentations continue
• Raffle to close the exhibit hall

Friday, June 26
• System tours (must be pre-signed up to attend)

Networking Opportunties

Some of the most valuable conversations at IDEA conferences happen between sessions and after hours.
 
Throughout the week you'll have opportunities to connect during:
• Exhibit Hall Opening Reception (Tuesday)
• Exhibit Hall Cocktail Reception (Wednesday)
• Breakfasts, at lunch before presentations start, refreshment and dessert breaks in the exhibit hall (Wednesday and Thursday, throughout the day)
• IDEA Forums (Tuesday)
• Young Professionals Group Happy Hour and District Energy Women’s Initiative Meetup (Wednesday in the hall, evening and afternoon respectively)
We encourage you to introduce yourself to someone new, reconnect with colleagues, and take advantage of the unique opportunity to learn from professionals working on some of the industry's most innovative projects. 

You can also interact with attendees through the Conference App as well.  

Tell The World You're at IDEA2026!

IDEA has created a customizable graphic for attendees and exhibitors to promote their attendance on social media. Create yours and post on your social media channels today – complete instructions are located on our website.

If you're a speaker at the conference, please refer to the presenter promotion page. 

General Questions

Q: What is the address for the Rogers Centre?
A: IDEA2026 will be held at the Rogers Centre Ottawa, 55 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 9J2

Q: Where do I check in and pick up my attendee badge?
A: IDEA Registration is located in the Rideau Canal Atrium on the second level of the Rogers Centre.  We encourage attendees to pick up badges as soon as they arrive (provided registration is open) to avoid lines at the desk each morning. We’ve got a busy schedule, and we don’t want you to miss a thing!
Registration Hours:
 Monday, June 22 - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
 Tuesday, June 23 - 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
 Wednesday, June 24 - 7:00 am - 6:30 pm
 Thursday, June 25 - 7:00 am - 5:30 pm


You will have received an email with a QR code that you will scan to print your badge. Please have it ready to scan at check-in—it’s much faster than manual entry.

Q: What is the Wi-Fi Information?
A: Network:  IDEA2026  Password: ottawa26 (case sensitive)

IDEA2026 Mobile App

Q:    How do I download the App?
A:    Search for the “Eventscribe” app in the app store or google play store. Once downloaded, search for for the “IDEA2026” event. If you're an attendee, instructions have been sent to you already. 

Q:    How do I login to the App?
A:    Once you have the event added to the app, you can log into the event using:

Username: your email address (the one you registered for the conference with)
Password: Access Key printed on your badge and included in your Registration Confirmation Email 

Q:    How do I build "My Schedule"?
A:    Tap the star next to a presentation to “favorite” that presentation. The star will then turn yellow and will be added to the “My Schedule” tile.

Q:    How do I take notes or draw on presentation slides?
A:    To take notes or draw on presentation slides, you must first download the slides. Use “Schedule” to navigate to a presentation. Select “View Slides,” then “Notes.” Use the “Notes” mode to type notes adjacent to the slide. To return to the full slide view, select “Nav.” Notes are automatically saved. Use the “Pen” to draw directly on the slide and the “Marker” to highlight areas of the slide.

Q:    How do I take notes when there are no slides?
A:    Use “Schedule” to navigate to a presentation. Select “Take Notes,” then select the “Notes” mode to type notes adjacent to the blank slide. To return to the full view, select “Nav.” Notes are automatically saved.

Q:    How do I send/retrieve messages to/from other app users within the app?
A:    To send a message to an app user select "Browse App Users" under the "People" tile on the app’s home screen.

Next, select the name of the user to which you would like to send a message and then select the "Send Message" button on the navigation bar located at the bottom of the screen. Type your message and send.

Received messages can be found by selecting the "Messages" button located in the navigation bar at the bottom of the app’s main screen.

Educational Program

Q:    How many sessions are there at IDEA2026?


A:    Between our preconference workshops, plenary panels, podium sessions and poster presentations we have well over 100 sessions taking place at IDEA2026. Most sessions are self-contained on Level 2 near registration, with one tech session, the “E” track, on Level 4. 

Poster sessions are a great opportunity to take a deeper look into a project while interacting one-on-one with poster presenters. They are viewable throughout the conference in the Parliament Foyer outside of the Exhibit Hall.

With so much content available, you'll inevitably face some difficult choices. Fortunately, recordings of most sessions will be made available after the conference through the IDEA Learning Center, allowing you to catch up on sessions you couldn't attend in person.


With up to five concurrent sessions taking place at once, a quick review of the conference schedule before each session block can help you find your room quickly and ensure you arrive on time.

Q:    What Is the Format of the Main Program Sessions?

A:   Sessions are grouped by topic into Session Tracks. Each session lasts 25 minutes: 18–20 minutes of presentation followed by 5–7 minutes of Q&A.

These sessions are podium presentations, with speaker(s) sharing slides on screen, with a mic for audience questions. Key things to consider: 

• Blocks of five concurrent sessions run throughout the day, with refreshment breaks in the exhibit hall throughout the day.
• Five-minute breaks are scheduled between presentations

Q:    How do I find a session room?

A:  Each session room has a sign outside displaying a letter. This letter corresponds to the session track held in that room. Each session title begins with a code made up of a number, a letter, and another number—such as "1A2 – District Energy and You."

 
  • The letter (e.g., A) indicates the room.
  • The first number (e.g., 1) identifies the session block (Block 1 of the conference).
  • The second number (e.g., 2) represents the order of the session within that block.
 
So, if you're looking for session 1A2, head to Room A and enjoy!

Q:    When are Posters presented?

A:    Posters are up throughout the conference in the Parliament Foyer, right outside the IDEA Exhibit Hall (Canada Hall 1&2).

Poster presenters will be available during scheduled breaks in the Exhibit Hall to answer questions and interact directly with attendees. Visit the conference schedule for the full list of posters and poster times.

On-Demand Content Access in the IDEA Learning Center

Q:    You mention there are recordings of the IDEA2026 sessions. How do I access them?
A:    With five concurrent sessions, it’s impossible to make it to every amazing presentation. Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered so you won’t miss a thing.

Presenters have been asked to record their sessions for those who might have missed their live presentation. These recordings will be available a few weeks after the event on the IDEA Learning Center, where you can also earn CE credits that you can print out for your records.

IDEA will reach out to you with details as soon as the recordings are ready. 

Q:    What will be available on-demand after the conference?
A:    Most program sessions, workshop sessions, and plenary panel will be available on-demand, for those who registered as paid attendees for the conference and/or workshops.

Q:    Can I receive certificates of attendance for content I watch on-demand after the conference?
A:    Yes, you will receive a certificate of attendance for each viewed session after completing a survey in the Learning Center. 

Q:    How long will on-demand content be available?
A:    On demand content will be available indefinitely for registered attendees.

Q:    I cannot attend in-person; is there an option for on-demand viewing?
A:    You must purchase a conference registration to access on-demand content. Session content will be available on the IDEA Learning Center for all registered conference attendees following the conclusion of the conference. Instructions on how to access the Learning Center will be sent via email, post-conference. 

Exhibit Questions

Q: Where is the exhibit hall?

A:  The IDEA2026 exhibit hall is located in Canada Hall 1&2 on Level 3 of the Ottawa Convention Center. Poster presentations are located at the entrance of the hall.

Poster Sessions are located right outside the exhibit hall, in the Parliament Foyer.

The IDEA Exhibit Hall will host all evening receptions and refreshment breaks throughout the conference. Check the app for dates/times for each. Don't forget to join us for the Exhibit Hall Raffle on Thursday afternoon - great prizes await those who play the scavenger hunt game in the app!

What Are Other Ways I Can Connect with Colleagues?

Q: Can you explain how I can connect with colleagues in the IDEA Forums, IDEA Young Professionals Group, and District Energy Women's Initiative? 
A. One of the strengths of the IDEA community is the opportunity to connect with peers who share common interests and experiences. Throughout IDEA2026, several dedicated networking events will bring together attendees from specific groups and communities within the industry, creating space for meaningful conversations, new connections, and valuable knowledge sharing.
IDEA Forums
Join us Tuesday afternoon from 3:05–4:10 PM in the Rogers Centre for IDEA Forums, one of the best opportunities to meet peers facing similar challenges and opportunities.

Forums include:
• District Cooling – Salon 201
• District Energy Women's Initiative (DEWI) – Salon 210
• Future Energy – Salon 202
• Industry Leaders – Salon 209
• Safety & Operations – Salon 212

IDEA Young Professionals Program
If you're newer to industry, simply looking for a refresher on district energy fundamentals—we encourage you to participate in District Energy 101 on Tuesday beginning at 12:00 PM (lunch is not provided for this event).

The program includes sessions on:
• Introduction to District Energy and IDEA
• Heating and Cooling Fundamentals
• Turning Ideas into District Energy Projects
• Power Generation Concepts
The program is followed by a Young Professionals Forum and networking activities throughout the conference.
The IDEA Young Professionals Group will also host a Happy Hour on Wednesday evening in the exhibit hall and a Night on the Town on Thursday. If you'd like to be added to the YPG text thread to keep up with their busy schedule, email jason.idea@districtenergy.org.


District Energy Women's Initiative 

At IDEA2026, DEWI will once again provide dedicated opportunities for women in the industry to connect, share experiences, and strengthen professional relationships. Join us for two special onsite events:

  • The District Energy Women’s Forum on Tuesday at 3:05 in Salon 210
  • DEWI Meetup in the Exhibit Hall, Wednesday afternoon from 2:00-2:40pm,

Each is designed to foster meaningful conversations, celebrate accomplishments, and have a little fun! 

How Do I Obtain CEUs?

Q:    How can I obtain CEUs?
A:    Attendees can download CEU certificates for each session attended onsite by completing the survey in the app or from the IDEA2026 website.

Additional CE credits can be obtained through the IDEA Learning Center after completing all required tasks to earn credit. Detailed instructions for accessing the Learning Center will be provided after the conference.



After Hours in Ottawa

Q: What can I do after hours in Ottawa?
A: When the sessions conclude each day, Ottawa offers plenty to explore.

The city will be buzzing with activity, including:
• The Ottawa Jazz Festival
• World Cup watch parties
• Outdoor patios and restaurants
• Historic sites and attractions within walking distance of the conference

Ottawa is the perfect setting to continue conversations with colleagues and enjoy one of North America's most scenic capital cities. Check out this Ottawa city map and visit the Ottawa Tourism site (especially the Ottawa Neighborhoods page) for details on local attractions and dining options.

And enjoy special discounts across the city with our Flash Your Badge program!

Onsite Registration

Q:  This program looks great! I have a colleague who wants to register - can they do so onsite?

Yes! Anyone can register in-person at the Rogers Centre or you can register online prior to the event to have a badge ready for you.


Q:    Is there a virtual registration?
A:    No, there is no virtual registration/participation for this conference.

Q:    How do I receive member pricing?
A:    You must be a member in good standing to receive member pricing. Please contact the Scott Szycher at scott.idea@districtenergy.org if you have any questions about your membership.

Q:    I am a member of IDEA, but I am not getting the member pricing?
A:    You must renew your IDEA membership for 2026 to receive the member pricing. Please contact the Scott Szycher at  scott.idea@districtenergy.org if you have any questions about your membership.