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2008 Piedmont Alternative Energy Expo "Best in the Mid-Atlantic"

Exhibitors and visitors alike reported high energy levels at this year's Piedmont Alternative Energy Expo, held May 17 at the Fauquier County Fairgrounds. This was the "best energy expo in the Mid-Atlantic," says exhibitor Michael Rainger, of Intragroups (www.intragroups.com). Others among the 44 exhibitors reported getting a lot more real interest and solid sales leads from visitors at this event than at huge trade shows in which they've participated.

Many of the nearly 600 visitors also commented on the quality of this year's Expo, which had 50 percent more exhibitors than last year's. Visitors reported finding a good range of clean-energy and sustainable-living options.

"We came to look at alternative energy options for that house we will build someday," says Cole Johnson, who visited the Expo with husband, Tom. "We got a lot of great ideas and good information. The Expo gets better every year!"

From alternative fuels to solar-generated power, to green building products, and more, the exhibits offered visitors ways to conserve energy and generate clean power. Outside, electric vehicles—from the experimental Aztec two-seater to electric-powered trucks—drew a steady crowd. On their way in, visitors also got to see Green Man Forest Management's team of horses who provide low-impact, sustainable logging under the reins of Justin LaMountain, as well as vendors displaying energy-efficient windows and other energy-conservation products.

Inside, kids engaged in interactive activities to learn more about saving energy. Hardly any went by the Energy Cycle without getting on and showing how much energy they could generate by peddling. And the kids weren’t the only ones… a lot of adults checked out their energy-generating abilities on the cycle, too. Everywhere, visitors and exhibitors engaged in excited conversation about the steps they've taken to live more sustainably and the newest energy-saving products and processes.

The Expo Committee, led by RLEP board member Kathy Poush and volunteer Kaye Kohler, worked long hours on the Expo and were pleased with the results. "Expo’s hundreds of visitors from 22 Virginia counties and beyond displayed an enthusiastic interest in learning about and implementing green technologies and energy conservation," says Kathy. "The quality of the exhibitors was outstanding, with many experts in a wide range of energy solutions in attendance. RLEP is very pleased to host the Expo and for the opportunity to advance the use of alternative energy in the Piedmont community and beyond."

The Expo has become a key part of RLEP’s Alternative Energy Project, which added the ME$A (Money and Energy $aving Alternatives) group this year. ME$A promotes energy efficiency within Rappahannock County by offering residents and businesses assessments of their energy footprints and suggestions for monetary savings through use of renewable and alternative energy.

	Bryan Walsh (right) of Solar Connexion with two Expo visitors.
	Exhibitor Appleton-Campbell's booth.

"RLEP has a long history of responding to challenges to the health and beauty of the county's rural, agricultural environment," said Monica Worth, the group's president.  "The Expo and ME$A, along with the Biodiversity Task Force and new outreach efforts in the schools, show that we want to be proactive as well, helping people get the tools they need to reap the benefits of sustainable choices where they live, work and play."

The committee is still reviewing visitor and exhibitor surveys and will have a more complete analysis of the Expo down the road. For more information on the 2008 exhibitors, click here.

RLEP would like to thank all the volunteers who helped with the Expo this year, along with the event's sponsors:

• Riptide Fund (of the Boston Foundation)
• Central Coffee Roasters
• Kreyling Construction, LLC
• Nighthawk Communications
• Rappahannock Title, LLC
• Real Estate III
• Paul R. Farmer
• Alexia Morrison

Questions? Please contact us!

Email: altenergyexpo@rlep.org
Address:
Piedmont Alternative Energy Expo
c/o Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection
P.O. Box 94
Washington, VA 22747
Phone: 540-319-1449