What to expect of the climate control conference
In May 2007, Climate Control Middle East hosted a round table on district cooling. (Many of you probably are aware of the event.) Called DC Dialogue, the round table involved consultants, utility providers and suppliers in a discussion that was raw, slightly unconventional and refreshing.
The information that emerged from the meeting was substantial and vital. The proof for that came even months later when readers from the region and beyond wrote in to ask for follow-up information, which we gladly supplied through the participants.
DC Dialogue was a success because the exchange of information was honest and devoid of a commercial agenda to a reasonable extent. It was a success also because it was an uncluttered setting, which meant it was possible to have a focused discussion.
Today, we are looking to replicate the event of May 2007 but on a larger canvas. The aim today is to host a conference The Climate Control Conference (C3) that is uncluttered, focused and devoid of glitz. We have set ourselves the task of hosting an event that, we believe, is a bouquet of essentials for the HVACR industry in the region. We are executing a plan that, when the time comes, will take the shape of an HVACR fair (see strip-advertisement on cover page). A vital element of that is a 'Talk and Action Track', comprising seminars, panel discussions and a workshop. Another vital element is a 'Networking Track', where we hope to bring clients and suppliers together through pre-arranged, pre-scheduled meetings. Yet another vital element is an 'HR Track'. And a fourth element is an 'Exhibition Track'.
The seminars, panel discussions and workshop are to provide an opportunity to the industry to exchange observations, insights, intents and data. The networking activity is to increase business opportunities, and the exhibition is, of course, to showcase the best of technologies.
On the face of it, there is nothing to suggest a unique event. And that's precisely the point; in hosting the event, we are not clamouring for glitz and glamour - we are more concerned about the substance and about how what is learnt at the event is applied thereon.
The 'uniqueness', if we, indeed, must use the word is in its format. Just like DC Dialogue in May 2007, C3 will have an unconventional approach to it. Take the seminar track, for instance. To be more specific, take the discussion on 'Energy considerations for fresh air treatment'. This is a topic that has perhaps received attention in some previous seminar; perhaps that may not be the case, because again, as far as possible, we have been careful to choose previously unaired topics for discussion. Anyway, for argument's sake, let's just say that it has received prior attention. What would that have been? Well, the seminar would have involved a group of speakers who probably each held court with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation. And that was that. With C3, though, we have a different idea. For one, we are endeavouring to bring the speakers together before the actual event. The aim is for them to get to know one another and understand what each of them would be presenting. The aim also is to understand the topic in a deeper sense and to identify the key issues and questions. In order to identify the very best questions, we are encouraging the delegates, as well, to post their questions through the event's dedicated Web site (www.ccube.org).
So what will this approach accomplish? Well, we are hoping that such a course will give better clarity to the topic and also will help the speakers orchestrate their performance. We are not looking for the speakers to develop a homogeneous thought process we just want a collective presentation that is vibrant, progressive and devoid of repetition.
Take the workshop on Green Buildings, to quote another instance. On March 17, we organised a dry-run where participants in the workshop met and deliberated on what course the discussion would take, what they would need to bring to the table and, generally, what they need to do in the interim period to ensure that the audience takes the maximum benefit out of attending the exercise. Going by the dry-run, we are confident the workshop will be a useful platform for the exchange of ideas, thoughts and expertise.
The workshop as a forum is likely to be a new experience also because it is part of what we are calling a Green Day. Indeed, April 30, which is the last day of C3, will have a green theme to it.
To flag the day off, we have slated a seminar on Green Buildings that will attempt to understand what Dubai expects of contractors, consultants, suppliers and building owners when it says that all new construction should abide by international green building principles, as applicable to the Emirate. Then, of course, we will have the workshop. A concurrent event to the seminar and the workshop is Green Bazaar, where we hope to provide suppliers of Green Building-related products a platform to showcase their wares to a specialised group of visitors.
Now, let's talk about the HR Track. At the time of working on the drawing-board, we envisaged this track to be a meeting-point of potential candidates with HVACR companies to fill vacancies.
Today, we are holding on to that original intent. In addition, we are looking to conduct a panel discussion that will seek to address the issue, 'The challenges in hiring and retaining employees'.
The idea to hold a panel discussion just emerged two weeks ago, and we have been at it, trying to make it a reality. Already, we have identified a moderator and are assembling the panellists.
The point we are trying to make by talking about the panel discussion is to share with you the spirit of the Conference. We are not bound by a straitjacketed approach when it comes to organising C3. On the contrary, we have chosen to be flexible with the format, so that the purpose is met - in as comprehensive a manner as possible. That remains the prime concern.
So one by one, the different topics will get their airing. What, then? Well, once the Conference is over, once the curtain comes down on the three-day event, we will look to perpetuate the messages. We would look to drip-feed the information to you for months at a stretch, if needed, so that there is a follow-up on the issues discussed. The drip-feeding will be through the Web site and through the magazine. As was the case with DC Dialogue, we anticipate the discussion to continue and for comments and requests for further information to flow thick.
The purpose of this communication on these two pages of the magazine is to give you an idea of the framework of the event and what you should expect from it.
A little over a month remains for the event. As the clock ticks, we are doing our utmost to make C3 a reality. We do earnestly believe we can deliver on what we are promising you and, perhaps, even surpass the target. Having said that, as with all endeavours, there is always the element of uncertainty. There is a chance of the unexpected cropping up and of situations that are likely to be beyond our control. We say this not to establish a disclaimer here but to assure you that we will be vigilant and do everything in our power to make this a grand experience for the HVACR fraternity.
By B Surendar
© Climate Control Middle East 2008
