AWEA - American Wind Energy Association

About the Summit

Join top wind industry professionals and academic leaders in shaping the future of wind energy industry education.

Strengthening and expanding programs that prepare students for a future in the wind energy workforce is a constant priority. Continued and improved communication between academia and wind industry professionals is vital to continue cultivating this critical educational infrastructure. The AWEA University Summit brings the most significant industry and academic players to the table to solidify relationships, share an understanding of the industry's vision, and help communicate how academia can help to further the wind industry's mission.

Be Part of the Conversation

With dynamic sessions and facilitated break-out groups, the summit's diverse programming offers many quality opportunities for group collaboration.  The AWEA University Summit will bridge the gap in understanding between the needs of wind companies and academic institutions by building relationships and examining successful implemented modules in the field.  Don't miss the chance to learn what is currently happening in the university space and explore ways to be more effective in your undertaking.

Agenda

Wednesday, June 29, 2011
7:30am - 8:30am	Breakfast Location: 2nd Floor, South Entrance Lobby, Seaman’s Center
8:30am - 8:45am	Opening & Welcome
8:45am - 9:45am	Available Funding Opportunities Finding funding for you academic program isn't always easy – where are the best places to look? This session will answer questions in how to successfully go about acquiring financial resources for your inspiring ideas. Moderator: Michele Mihelic, AWEA Panelists: Keith Meyers, Kansas Dept. of Commerce Q&A to follow
9:45am - 10:00am	Break Location: Outside of Auditorium 1505
10:00am - 12:30pm	Industry & University Open Forum Build on what’s been discussed on the first day of the program and work to define the established needs for industry and universities.  Revisit the survey responses from WINDPOWER.  This is the first step before content can be developed for curriculum.
12:30pm - 1:30pm	Lunch Location: University Capitol Center, Room 2520D
1:30pm - 2:30pm	Career Pathways Career pathways affect everyone whether it is the educator teaching the student or the industry company hiring the student.  How can we most effectively advance our future workforce from school into stable jobs?  This career pathways panel examines ways it can be done by identifying successful modules in place.   Moderator: Ian Baring-Gould, NREL Successful 2+2 Model: Daniel Lutat, Iowa Lakes Community College Dr. P. Barry Butler, University of Iowa Student Trajectory: Katherine Dykes, MIT Industry Perspective: Anna Grady, NRG Systems Q&A to follow
2:30pm - 3:00pm	Career Pathways Discussion
2:30pm - 3:00pm	Career Pathways Break-Out Groups
3:00pm - 3:30pm	Key-Point Sharing and Wrap-Up University Summit
3:30pm - 5:00pm	(Optional) Tour of University of Iowa Renewable Energy Educational Facilities To wrap up the University Summit, The University of Iowa will graciously offer an optional tour of their renewable energy educational facilities available on campus.  The tour includes a look at the campus 2.4 kW wind turbine, the new Energy Control Center, and the Solar Electric Charging Station.  (Transportation will be provided)

Registration

Online registration is now closed.  You may still register on-site at the University starting at 8:30 am on Tuesday, June 28th. 

*THIS EVENT IS RESTRICTED TO AWEA MEMBERS ONLY**

This event is invitation only for AWEA Community College and Technical School members.  If you wish to attend, email education@awea.org.

Registration Prices

**If you are unsure of your AWEA membership status, contact membership@awea.org or (202) 383-2556. For all other registration questions or inquiries, please contact conference@awea.org or (202) 383-2512.

Registration Policies

Event registration includes: a networking reception, continental breakfast, lunch, access to the speaker presentations, and critical networking opportunities.

Confirmation & Changes: Registration confirmations are emailed automatically upon registering on-line or upon manual entry of registrations sent via mail or fax. If you have changes to your registration including contact information, purchasing additional items to your registration such as a pre-conference seminar that is available to specific events, or if you need to provide a substitution for your registration, email conference@awea.org no later than Friday, June 24, 2011. After this date, any changes or substitutions will need to be made on-site at the event.

Cancellation Policy: All cancellations and requests for refunds must be submitted to AWEA in writing via email to conference@awea.org or fax to (202) 293-2567. Refunds may not be processed until after the completion of the workshop. All refund requests received by June 21, 2011 will be processed less a $25 administrative fee. There will be no refunds made for cancellations after June 21 or for no-shows and registration fees may not be transferred to a different AWEA event. However substitutions are permitted for no charge. Email information on substitutions to conference@awea.org. Any refunds to credit card payments may only be credited back to the original credit card and cannot be refunded to a different card.

Other: AWEA reserves the right to eject any registrant from the event without any prior notice or refund if while at the event your behavior is deemed disruptive, offensive, dangerous, and illegal or if you are found to be distributing unauthorized material.

This event is proceeding as planned unless the event organizer, the venue, and/or local or national authorities deem it to be unsafe to do so at which time we will update this website with more information.

Event Location

Housing Information

Hotel Accomodations

Come and experience our $11 million transformation of the Sheraton Iowa City Hotel.  Redesigned guest rooms that feature The Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed with crisp white bedding, 37-inch HD flat screen televisions, Shine for Sheraton bath amenities, and Starbucks One Cup coffee are simply the beginning.  The renewal continues in our freshly styled lobby, as well as Share, our contemporary and refined new wine lounge and small-plate bistro.  Tune into wellness in the brand-new fitness center and renovated pool area.  Our 234 guest rooms, all 100% smoke-free, are the perfect choice for business and leisure travelers. Click here for more information about the Sheraton Iowa City Hotel.

Travel Information

The information and pricing listed below is provided as a service by AWEA but is subject to change.

Closest Airport to Hotels and University Center:

For more information on the Eastern Iowa Airport - Cedar Rapids (CID), click here
For more information on the Des Moines International Airport, click here

From CID Airport

Shuttle Information:
Follow signs to "Ground Transportation"

    Super Shuttle: 800-258-3826
    Taxi: Marco's Taxi Service is recommended: 319-337-8294

 
Driving Directions from Airport to Sheraton Iowa City:

Please visit the hotel's driving direction page to enter your address for directions.

Internet Options

High Speed Internet Access, as well as Wireless Internet Access in public areas and the business center (Ethernet card required) is complimentary for guests. If you wish to purchase additional Wireless Internet Access Packages they include:

    $4.99 (plus tax) for 2 hours

    $9.99 (plus tax) for 24 hours

    $25.99 (plus tax) for 3 days