ComEd Energy Efficiency Expo connects with customers

KEMA Connects - May 2011

ComEd Energy Efficiency ExpoIn May 2010, ComEd hosted its first Energy Efficiency Expo (E3), co-sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The day-long event and trade show featured 63 Trade Ally exhibitors and was attended by 863 of ComEd’s commercial customers, almost half of who were facility managers or plant engineers. Reflecting the success of the 2010 event, the Energy Efficiency Expo will return on September 7, 2011.

2010 Expo objectives
ComEd established several objectives for the 2010 expo, including:

  • Increase awareness of ComEd’s commercial energy efficiency rebate program—Smart Ideas for Your Business (SIFYB)—and DCEO programs
  • Promote SIFYB Program Year Three and pave the way for new projects from commercial and industrial customers
  • Build relationships between customers and Trade Allies, while reinforcing ComEd’s leading role in the program
  • Educate customers on energy efficiency technologies, cost-saving opportunities, and available incentives and resources

Session topics
The event featured 20 educational sessions with 31 speakers organized in five tracks: Commercial, Industrial, Finance/Funding Sources, Technologies/Systems, and Going Green. Sessions included:

  • Your Whole Building: Getting a Grip on Building Performance
  • HVAC: Technology Advancements and Design Solutions
  • Where Do I Start?  Identifying Opportunities in Your Plant
  • A Goldmine for Energy Savings: It’s Not a Bunch of Hot Air…It’s Compressed Air
  • Financing Models and Sources: Leasing, Performance Contracting, Cash-flow Lending
  • Learn to Speak Finance: How to Make the Financial Case for Efficiency Projects
  • Beyond Simple Payback: The Cost of NOT Doing an Energy Efficiency Project
  • Funding Sources: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Energy Policy Act, and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Programs
  • Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning
  • Daylighting and Lighting Controls
  • Lean and Green: A Look at Efficient Manufacturing
  • Smart Ideas for Your Business: An Overview of Incentives and Technical Assistance Available from ComEd

Survey results
The post-event survey, emailed to exhibitors and customers, revealed that 97% of respondents were satisfied with the overall event. Customers most liked the Expo’s structure and organization, learning experience, and presence of exhibitors. In addition, customer feedback indicated:

  • 98% were satisfied with the presenters’ knowledge; 92% were satisfied with the information presented
  • 88% learned something new and 78% picked up ideas to implement for their businesses
  • 76% had projects that could be implemented within one year
  • 100% were satisfied with the length of presentations
  • More than 94% were satisfied with the location, parking, food service, registration, and cost to attend

Exhibitors were highly satisfied with the quality of attendees at the Expo. Exhibitor responses found:

  • 100% considered the Expo to be a valuable experience
  • 96% made promising customer contacts
  • 93% would consider sponsoring a future Expo
  • 39% would like to have more time available to talk to customers on the trade show floor
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