Conference Session Descriptions

 

Pre-Conference Workshops
I2SL offers a number of pre-conference workshops, which are open to all members of the laboratory and high-tech facility community. These workshops are taught by seasoned professionals and cover topics such as sustainable architecture, operations and maintenance, commissioning, and techniques for laboratory users. Courses range from full-day to half-day, and workshop participants are eligible to receive continuing education credits. Although these workshops are held in conjunction with the Labs21 Annual Conference, there is a separate fee to attend each workshop.

Opening Plenary Session
The Opening Plenary Session formally kicks-off the Labs21 Annual Conference and is open to all conference attendees. The Master of Ceremonies (usually an I2SL Board Member) and a local representative (e.g., Mayor) welcome the audience, followed by brief presentations by the two federal co-sponsors, EPA and DOE. The highlight of the Opening Plenary Session is the keynote address, which generally focuses on sustainability and is delivered by a prominent, forward-thinking professional. This session is usually two hours long.

Technical Sessions
 Technical Session presentations are given by industry professionals who share case studies, lessons learned, overviews of cutting-edge technologies and design strategies, and industry best practices that are aimed at reducing energy and water consumption and improving the environmental sustainability of laboratories and high-tech facilities. Three tracks of technical sessions run concurrently, along with a new track of Sustainable Laboratory Equipment presentations and two tracks of Symposia. Each 90-minute session is comprised of three presentations, each lasting 30 minutes (20 minutes for the presentation and 10 minutes for audience questions).

Sustainable Laboratory Equipment Sessions
Session A4 and Session B4
The Sustainable Laboratory Equipment sessions provide technical information on how laboratory equipment and systems reduce energy and water consumption, improve environmental performance, and enhance overall building management, while also meeting the requirements of the users. The Sustainable Laboratory Equipment sessions will be included as part of the other technical sessions and will feature presentations by Technology and Services Fair vendors.

Technology Demonstrations
New for 2010: Select exhibitors will present Technology Demonstrations―educational presentations that feature an exhibitor's equipment―during this year's Technology and Services Fair. These demonstrations will give attendees the chance to see how various industry tests and procedures are performed. The demonstrations will also give vendors the opportunity to showcase their sustainable technology by featuring their product in action. The Technology Demonstrations will occur mid-day on Tuesday and Wednesday in the exhibit hall.

Symposia
Symposia provide attendees with a more in-depth look at topics pertinent to the Labs21 Community. Each year, I2SL develops a list of potential symposia topics (based on attendee feedback, current industry trends, or interest from a key industry member), then works with a lead organizer to coordinate each session, identify speakers, and develop an agenda. I2SL also welcomes topic submissions from the Labs21 Community via the Call for Presenters.

Two tracks of Symposia run concurrently with the Technical Sessions and can range from 90 minutes to a full day, depending on the topic and the number of presenters. The agenda (including the topic, the number of presenters, and the length of each presentation) is determined by I2SL and the lead organizer. Symposia can also include panel discussions and/or open forums with the audience.

Posters
The Labs21 Poster Session is an opportunity for individuals or organizations to showcase a variety of laboratory projects, equipment, and design strategies that are innovative and embrace the Labs21 Approach to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. The Poster Session is open for the duration of the Labs21 Conference, and the displays are staffed by their presenters during specified time periods (e.g., during open exhibit hall hours).

Technology and Services Fair
Manufacturers and service providers exhibit the products that make them unique to the needs of high-performance facilities.

Working Group Meetings
A number of different Working Group Meetings are coordinated by I2SL and scheduled throughout the Labs21 Annual Conference. These informal side meetings provide an opportunity for I2SL and select members of the Labs21 Community to identify or initiate specific activities associated with promoting the goals of Labs21. Working Group Meetings are generally one hour long and take place during breakfast or lunch.

Morning Roundtable Sessions
Morning Roundtables are hour-long sessions that provide attendees with an intimate and informal forum for discussing new trends, issues, and other emerging topics of interest to the Labs21 Community. Each year, I2SL develops a list of potential topics (based on attendee feedback, current industry trends, or interest from a key industry member), then works with a lead organizer to coordinate each roundtable. During the session, the leader briefly introduces the topic and then facilitates an open discussion with the gathered audience. Leaders and participants are encouraged to continue the dialogue after the session and conference have ended. Because Morning Roundtables are intended to facilitate a discussion, audio-visual equipment is not provided; however, presenters may provide handouts, if necessary.

Cutting-Edge Roundtable Sessions
Cutting-Edge Roundtables take place during the first half of the Tuesday and Wednesday of the conference. These late morning sessions are similar to the Morning Roundtables in that they encourage informal discussions among attendees. However, as the name implies, the Cutting-Edge Roundtables cover the industry's most innovative and ground-breaking topics. During the session, the session leader briefly introduces the topic and then facilitates an open discussion with the audience. Continued dialogue on the topic is encouraged after the session and conference have ended. Because Cutting-Edge Roundtables are intended to facilitate a discussion, audio-visual equipment is not provided. However, presenters may provide handouts, if necessary.

Offsite Tours and Receptions
Offsite tours and receiptions offer site visits to some of the area's unique and sustainable high-tech facilities.

Labs21 Luncheon
 I2SL hosts an hour-and-a-half long luncheon on the final day of the Labs21 Conference as a way to wrap up the event and, more importantly, recognize the accomplishments of the annual Go Beyond Award winners. Go Beyond Awards honor individuals, organizations, projects, and manufacturers that “go beyond” the status quo to minimize the environmental impacts of laboratories and other high-technology facilities. Attendees are served lunch, which is followed by the presentation of the awards and brief remarks from an I2SL Board member.