Archive for April 14th, 2010

We are really taking advantage of all the social networking to cover the T&D Expo. I have been talking with my buddy Vito about the blog. He was a little unsettled with my ramblings on green chili and Cajun dishes. Tabasco is the spice of choice he tells me and since Nawlins is his home town I’ll have to try that. I’ll will still be keeping an eye open for green chili - heck I found green chili cheese burgers in Glacier National Park and that is on the Canadian border, so you never know unless you look.

Uncle Vito is going to be tweeting (is it tweeting or twittering ??) from the floor too. Open your twitter and check him out @uncle_Vito. I am sure between the two of us we will find something to spark your interest.

I have been teaching short courses around the country on the Smart Grid and its technologies for a couple of years now. I usually ask the students (attendees) for their definition of the Smart Grid at the beginning. And guess what - there is no one answer. In most cases, there is no consensus either. Most identify with the area they work in and that is all. You might say what is within their reach or touch is all that exists and there is so much more. It reminds me of that reality TV show “Dating In The Dark.” The contestants moved very cautiously, slowly feeling their way, but not sure of what is taking place and trying not to get into trouble with their fumbling about and feeling around.

Well folks, one of the goals of the Expo is to turn on the light and let everyone see what we have. Wednesday is designated “Smart Grid Day at T&D.” There will be a Smart Grid Super Session devoted to giving everyone the answers and the exhibitors are going to show off their best smart grid stuff (that’s a technical term for products). I was told PES is so excited about this session they have moved it from a session room to the Auditorium - that is what I call good planning. That will greatly increase the seating area. Even so, you better get there early (it starts at 8:30am). I know from past experience these sessions fill up fast and late comers miss out.

The excitement is building. I was talking with my friend Bill Rose from ABB about the displays and exhibits. ABB is very proud they won an award for the best large booth at the 2008 T&D Expo. Bill told me they have their sites set on winning the 2010 award too. ABB is bringing all the heavy equipment, latest technologies, and experts.

Sounds like a challenge to me! I’ll see if I can find out what other exhibitors are doing. The local committee actually gives out three awards for booths. In addition to ABB, ACA Conductor Accessories and General Cable won awards in Chicago. Exhibitors, send me your comments on your booth designs. I’ll be sure to visit at the show. My legends of blog followers will too.

The 2008 T&D Expo was big. Actually it was huge and I walked my feet flat during the conference. It seemed every appointment I had was at opposite ends of the hall and just a few minutes to make it between locations. That is why I am dressed business casual, but wearing running shoes. If I think of it, I’ll set my iPod to pedometer mode. I’d like to track the miles. Chicago was over 183,000 square feet and had somewhere around 600 exhibitors.

Tommy Mayne told me New Orleans is bigger. Lots bigger… They started out with the same exhibit space, but had to add more space to keep up with the demand. At the last count, the floor space was something over 210,000 square feet with over 700 exhibitors. Maybe I better take two pairs of running shoes - in case I get a flat from tread wear. Attendance is up too! Tommy said the 2010 registration is ahead of the 2008 figures for the same time frame. I think Tommy hit it on the head. He said, “If you only go to one conference a year, this is the one to attend.”