Jun 22 2007
BBI International (BBI), a leading global biofuels and biomass service company, next week will host the 23rd Annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) in St. Louis, which is projected to attract more than 5,000 attendees, making it the largest ethanol conference in the world.
The purpose of FEW, which will be held at the America's Center June 26-29, is to provide a forum for exchange of information to advance ethanol production and operations. Conference highlights include 554 exhibiting companies, more than 100 technical presentations and product seminars, an International Industry Summit and many networking opportunities, including an ethanol powered air show at the St. Louis Downtown Airport.
Like the industry it promotes, FEW has seen rapid growth in recent years with attendance jumping an average of 50 percent annually since 2004. "It started in St. Louis back near the beginning of the industry with 40 people. Now it is a mainstay for current and future ethanol producers to learn about the latest technology, equipment, products and services," said Kathy Bryan, President of BBI and FEW co-founder.
"A record 600 representatives from ethanol producing facilities -- current and future -- have already signed up, representing nearly every ethanol producer in North America and several countries from around the world," said Angela Damman, Vice President of BBI's Conferences & Events. "In addition many more who plan to build an ethanol plant have registered, making the FEW a great opportunity to do business with the ethanol industry." Other attendees of the conference include research institutions, academia, local and federal government agencies, industry trade associations, finance and lending institutions, risk management consultants and others who want to learn more about the ethanol industry.
"With gas prices reaching record highs and global warming at the forefront of political debate, it should come as no surprise that ethanol, which could reduce our dependency on foreign oil and help mitigate global climate change, is a rapidly growing industry," said Damman. The conference begins Tuesday, June 26, 5:30 p.m. with the opening of the Industry Expo at the America's Center. Onsite registration begins June 25 at 8:00 a.m. and will be available throughout the conference. For more information on program activities and registration visit http://www.fuelethanolworkshop.com