Charting the future at AWEAs Offshore WINDPOWER Virtual Summit

The U.S. offshore wind industry is set to deliver significant economic benefits over the next decade and stands ready to play a leading role in the nations economic recovery. U.S. offshore wind development will deliver billions in new economy activity, support tens of thousands of jobs, create new American supply chains and revitalize port communities. Nearly 1,100 attendees joined us online last week for the AWEA Offshore WINDPOWER 2020 Virtual Summit to discuss how we can build this industry inclusively and responsibly and cultivate the next generation of clean energy leaders. This years conference theme, Offshore Wind: Building the Future, focused on the economic impact and opportunities that offshore wind brings to the U.S.

After a sold out 2019 event, we were looking forward to continuing the momentum. Though we had hoped to come together in person, adaptability is key in 2020 as we navigate the countrys rapidly changing environment. The switch to a virtual event allowed us to remove space limitations and provide companies with the opportunity to send unlimited participants while remaining thoughtful about fluctuating budgets.

Special thanks to our program chairs, Damian Bednarz, External Affairs Director at EnBW North America and Alana Duerr, Director Offshore Wind North America at DNV-GL, in addition to the full program committee for volunteering their time and knowledge. I was amazed by the amount of education and top-notch speakers packed into two days: 20 live streamed sessions, 13 on-demand presentations and 20 posters!

I couldnt catch every session but look forward to watching the recordings of what I missed. Here are a few highlights of what I was able to watch live:

Its no surprise the hardest part to recreate in a virtual event is the business development and networking. However, we need that human interaction now more than ever! The Offshore event offered a few different unique ways to connect:

The wind industry is eager to cultivate the next generation of clean energy workers and leaders, and for the first time, we offered free access to educational content throughout the event for full-time high school, college and Merchant Marine Academy students. Over 100 students took advantage of the complimentary registration to learn more about the emerging offshore wind industry and the various and abundant job opportunities that will come with its growth. With more than 70 different types of occupations needed to plan, develop, operate, and maintain offshore wind farms, the summit featured self-recorded videos of professionals in the industry, with opportunities to connect. In addition, many sessions were dedicated to workforce and opportunities in the industry, including:

While we werent able to meet in person for the event, that didnt stop the industry from coming together for an important cause. AWEA selected to support the Boys & Girls Club (BGC) for our community service project this fall. We specifically supported the STEM/STEAM program and BGCs equity and inclusion efforts. Theyve made it their mission to change the opportunity equation for millions of kids who may not receive the same chance as their peers, sometimes because of their economic status, color of their skin, or other factors that contribute to the cycles of inequity we see in America today.

There is still time to donate and any amount makes a big difference. Click here to make a donation today.

Thank you again to our sponsors, speakers, partners, and attendees for helping make the event a success. We look forward to seeing you all again for the AWEA Offshore WINDPOWER 2021 Conference & Exhibition in Boston, October 13 15! In the meantime, check out AWEAs upcoming event schedule.

If youre looking for additional resources on Offshore Wind, explore supportoffshorewind.org and download the U.S. Offshore Wind Power Economic Impact Assessment. And be sure to visit Clean Power for America to support policies that harness the full potential of renewable energy in the U.S.

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Charting the future at AWEA's Offshore WINDPOWER Virtual Summit - Into the Wind - The AWEA Blog