Get ready for the largest hydrogen conference in the U.S.A
The world's first hydrogen fuel- powered scoreboard is installed and working swimmingly on the shores of the Congaree at the new Carolina Stadium. The scoreboard is one of many exhibitions planned for the National Hydrogen Association Conference and Hydrogen Expo from March 30 to April 3 in Columbia.
It is the largest hydrogen conference in the U.S.A., and it is the longest running hydrogen conference in the world.
Another exhibition showcased in the field here in Columbia is the world's first hydrogen fuel knowledge dashboard, as produced by Columbiabased Collexis Holdings, a developer of semantic search and knowledge discovery software.
According to the
Columbia Regional Business
Report, the dashboard development is the output of a partnership that brings together the proprietary technology of Collexis, Web of Science data from Thomson Reuters, and subject matter expertise at the University of South Carolina.
Columbia, the host city for the N.A.H. conference, is a small city when compared among the other host cities in a string of annual meetings over the past 20 years. South Carolina, the host state, got the nod due to its materials handling, back- up power, telecom, transit, defense, airports and ports - a collection of participants in every major emerging market.
Columbia got the nod because the Columbia leaders grabbed for it, essentially putting an offer on the table the National Hydrogen Association could not refuse.
The conference will attract at least 1,500 delegates, who will hear more than 150 speakers. There should be 100 (minimum) exhibitors.
The public is invited for a day, Wednesday, April 1, from 10 am until 5 pm. Called Public Day, the occasion is to see the full display inside Hydrogen Expo. The Columbia Convention Center front entrance and exhibition hall will be filled with fascinating displays of cutting edge hydrogen power technology. The future will be answering to the interests of public curiosity and intellectual scrutiny.
Concurrent with the conference is the Columbia cultural calendar, and a strong local turnout all week could imprint a positive impression across any visitor's memory. Every occasion could benefit tremendously from a healthy mix of visitors and locals.
Expect to see N.H.A. delegates at the following venues:
Columbia Museum of Art:
Turner to Cezanne
State Museum:
20 Years of Treasures
Trustus Theatre:
Doubt: A Parable
Columbia Marionette
Theatre:
Beauty and the Beast
www.columbiamarionettetheatre.
org
Koger Center:
S.C. Philharmonic www.scphilharmonic.com
Workshop Theatre:
Caroline, or Change
USC School of Music:
Faculty Recital
Call Jessica Smith at
576.5763
St. Joseph's Church:
Concert Choir Call Sara Beardsley at
777.5369
Koger Center:
The Hootie and
the Blowfish Ballet
The organizers plan for a great week. Get ready.
Besides Public Day on Wednesday, April 1, the conference will hold special events, also free and open to the public:
Monday, March 30
9 am -- 1 pm Safety, Codes & Standards Workshop
1 - 1:30 pm
State/Regional Hydrogen and
Fuel Cell Initiatives Workshop
Tuesday, March 31, & Wednesday, April 1
10:30 am - 2 pm Ride and Drive - Ride and drive in hydrogen- powered cars from several major automakers. A new hydrogen hybrid bus will be on display.
Wednesday, April 1
10 am - 5 pm
(Public Day) Experience hydrogen hands- on in the Live Demo area or take a ride in a hydrogen- powered car.
Thursday, April 2
2:30 - 4 pm Town Hall Meeting: The Good and the Bad about Hydrogen - Attend this forum to discover the truth behind the hype and why some critics are actually right. The public is encouraged to attend this free event moderated by S.C. State Representative Joan Brady with industry expert speakers.
