The HYDROVISION International 2022 event is a long-awaited return to in-person collaboration and communication across the global hydropower industry. The 30-year-strong event – managed by Clarion Energy’s Hydro Group – builds on a solid history of educating and informing hydroelectric power and dam professionals worldwide. This interview with the group’s leadership team provides insight into the return to in-person events and the momentum behind HYDROVISION for 2022.
Desiree Hanson is executive vice president, energy, and Leah Steinhardt is director show and media for HYDROVISION International and the Hydro Review website. The two have decades of experience in managing events and websites and are the leadership team for Clarion Energy’s Hydro Group.
In this interview, they discuss the strength of the world’s largest hydro industry event — HYDROVISION International – how the industry is responding to being back in person, and ways to take the best advantage of everything the event has to offer. HYDROVISION International will be held July 12-14, 2022, in Denver, Colo., U.S.
Q: After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, HYDROVISION International is being held in person next month in Denver. How do you feel about finally being able to have this event live once again?
Steinhardt: We feel excited! This is a very tight-knit community that has relied on HYDROVISION International to bring the industry together. Not being able to be face-to-face has been challenging, but we have kept the industry connected through our media content on Hydro Review as well as our digital offerings on our +Series.
Q: This isn’t the first energy industry event Clarion has held in 2022. The DISTRIBUTECH and POWERGEN events in May brought those energy industry professionals together. What successes did you see there that will be implemented at HYDROVISION?
Hanson: After a couple of postponements, DISTRIBUTECH and POWERGEN ran co-located in Dallas in May and had incredible results, bringing over 17,000 energy professionals together to do business. This proved the decision to postpone was the right one, as the industry was flying high as they came back together face-to-face to network, discover, build their knowledge and share with peers.
Over the past two years, the Clarion Energy team stayed close to its customers, keeping their fingers on the pulse of what their needs are and where the market is heading. Both shows delivered on their promises and added new, relevant content to the conference programming and the show floor. HYDROVISION is having a similar experience. The team has been entrenched in the hydro power industry, getting feedback and insights that have helped guide our decisions on postponement as well as shaping the amazing program that’s in place for July. The HYDROVISION 2022 program has been carefully curated to include topical features such as the Utility Executive Roundtable and the Women with Hydro Vision luncheon and education. Attendance numbers are soaring, and the entire hydro power industry is vocally sharing its excitement to reunite in Denver because they know they are going to get business done.
Q: The folks who produce the power are the heart of the industry and the primary audience for Clarion Energy’s educational content. What are you seeing and hearing from them about HYDROVISION International?
Steinhardt: We are thrilled that power producers are registering at a higher percentage of our attendees than in years past. This undoubtedly demonstrates the importance of attending HYDROVISION International and the need for them to connect with the industry on the show floor and through our programming. One of the key foundations of HYDROVSION is our educational content. Whether you are just starting out in the industry and are taking our Waterpower Hydro Basics course or you are a veteran and interested in participating in our 40 total conference sessions across eight topical tracks to earn professional development hours, HYDROVISION has something to meet you where you are in the industry and in your career.
Q: Speaking of power producers, this year’s HYDROVISION International features support from host utilities Denver Water and Xcel Energy, as well as high-level presentations from the Bureau of Reclamation, EDF Hydro, Ontario Power Generation and Dichotomy Power. Can you give me some highlights around these important speakers?
Steinhardt: We are always fortunate to have local support from Host Utilities based in the city we are visiting, and we are thrilled that Denver Water and Xcel Energy have partnered up with us this year. Our Utility Executive Roundtable, which is a thought-provoking discussion based on the challenges and opportunities the industry is currently facing, is comprised of Nicole Butcher, chief operations officer of Ontario Power Generation, Brian D. Good, chief administrative officer of Denver Water and Ian Clark, founder and chief executive officer of Dichotomy Power.
Q: Collaborating to support the industry globally is important to Clarion Energy and HYDROVISION International. Can you tell me more about your partnership with the International Hydropower Association for content across the program?
Steinhardt: Last year we partnered with the IHA to bring our HYDROVISION Virtual Ticket and its World Congress content to our shared audience. Because we are a vertical industry, we both feel strongly it is important to partner to elevate and highlight our missions to the hydropower community together. This year we are thrilled to be working together on our 2nd Global Symposium for Large Hydropower Plant Operators taking place on Monday, July 11. We have compiled some of the biggest names in hydropower for thought leadership sessions throughout the day.
Q: You referenced this year’s 2nd Global Symposium for Large Hydropower Plant Operators, which provides an opportunity for owners of some of the largest hydroelectric facilities in the world to share their unique challenges. How is that program coming together?
Steinhardt: The program is coming together great and will feature opening remarks from both the Bureau of Reclamation and IHA, which will focus on its sustainability initiatives. Then we will host content sessions for the operators throughout the day, prioritized around their unique challenges in owning and operating gigawatt-scale hydropower plants. The programing is being developed in partnership with IHA and Reclamation. Some of the participants include Reclamation, China Three Gorges, China Yangtze Power, Copel, Itaipu Binacional and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Q: On the topic of people who are new to the industry, learning about hydropower-specific topics can be challenging. How does your Waterpower Hydro Basics course help fill that gap?
Steinhardt: Our Waterpower Hydro Basics Course is everything you need to know to get started in hydropower and a perfect refresher course for veterans. This intensive, highly practical training is designed to help persons who are new to hydropower be more productive more quickly and to help persons with limited hydro experience expand their knowledge. The course takes place on Monday, July 11 from 8am to 5 pm and then continues on Tuesday, July 12 from 8 am to noon. There are seven sessions the first day and three sessions the second. It covers topics from turbine basics to communicating the value of hydropower. It is a hallmark of HYDROPOWER International and, based on current registrations, has been missed by the industry while we have not been able to host a show.
Q: With more than 210 companies exhibiting at HYDROVISION International, it’s a great opportunity to find products and services that can solve attendees’ problems. How can attendees best take advantage of their time with these companies?
Hanson: My best advice for attendees is to pre-plan! Make sure you are downloading the mobile app before you arrive, to get a feel for the show floor layout as well as the education and networking line up. With over 210 companies to discover and learn about, it’s always good to go into the event with a plan. The website and mobile app make it very easy for attendees to find solution providers to fit their needs, which will help make for efficiencies while at the show.
Also, take advantage of the MATCH! Program, where technology plays a role in finding the right solution providers for your business needs, and then our team takes it from there to schedule the appointments. And if you’ve ever dreamed of owning a Harley Davidson motorcycle, your dreams could come true this July. Attendees can visit with our 15 passport sponsors and be entered to win a brand new bike! There are so many opportunities at HYDROVISION to network with peers and solution providers over the three days that you won’t want to miss, so definitely make sure you use the pre-planning tools available.
Note: HYDROVISION International is owned and managed by Clarion Energy, an events company based in Shelton, Ct., U.S. Clarion Energy’s parent company, Clarion Events, is headquartered in London.
