2012 LIFE Statewide Conference

2012 STATEWIDE CONFERENCE, May 22-23, 2012

The LIFE Steering Committee is proud to announce that the 2012 LIFE Statewide Conference will be held on May 22-23, 2012 at the Albany Marriott in Albany, NY. Along with meeting many professionals in the energy field, expect to learn about low-income energy policy, education and advocacy, best practices, and new information on emerging energy issues in interactive and innovative sessions. In addition to hosting over 30 workshops and the presentation of the 2012 LIFE Achievement Awards, the conference will offer attendees the opportunity to participate in a poverty simulation.

Topics

The 2012 LIFE Statewide Conference will feature workshops on the following topics:

• Consumer Education/Protections
• Financial Literacy
• Supplemental Programs
• Energy Assistance Programs
• An Update on Weatherization
• Green Jobs—Green New York
• On-Bill Recovery
• Best Practices
• Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Demonstrations
• Workforce Development
• Opportunity for BPI Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for select workshops

Agenda

• Download a copy of the preliminary agenda 
  Subject to change

Registration

The registration fee to attend the conference is $125 for not-for-profit and community-based organizations and $145 for all other registrants. The registration fee includes continental breakfast and lunch on both days, refreshments, and conference materials.

Early Bird Registration
Register before April 20, 2012 and receive a $25 discount. The early bird registration fee $100 for not-for-profit and community-based organizations and $120 for all other registrants.

Group Rate
A special “group rate” is available for organizations registering four or more individuals. Groups that pay for three registrations to the conference will receive one complimentary registration. To register at the “group rate” please contact the LIFE Conference Registrar, Susie Levitt at Gove Group: 412-431-5087 or slevitt@gove.org.

Payment
No registrations will be processed without payment. We will accept purchase orders with the understanding that purchase orders are recognized as a promise to pay.

Cancellations
Cancellations requesting a refund must be submitted in writing by May 1, 2012 and will be assessed a $30 administration fee. Cancellations received after May 11, 2012 and no0shows will not be refunded.

Registration Assistance
For registrants who require paper-based registration, a printable registration form is available [PDF]. Mail the completed registration form to: 2012 LIFE Conference, Gove Group, 226 Paul Street, Pittsburgh PA 15211.
For registration assistance, please contact the LIFE Conference Registrar, Susie Levitt at Gove Group: 412-431-5087 or slevitt@gove.org.

Register for the 2012 LIFE Statewide Conference now.

Scholarship Opportunities

To further promote attendance and participation in the LIFE dialogue, the Low-Income Forum on Energy has established a scholarship fund to assist individuals from not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, tribes, and educational institutions who are unable to afford the cost of conference registration. Priority will be given to those applicants who are involved in the development and production of the conference, who are first time attendees, who have an important link to low-income energy issues or whose attendance would likely result in furthering the mission of LIFE.

Scholarships will be limited to one per agency and will be awarded on a first come first served basis. Applications will be accepted starting on February 20, 2012, and must be received no later than April 9, 2012.

To apply for a scholarship, please complete the Scholarship Application Form [PDF].

2012 Life Achievement Awards

While LIFE serves as a forum to discuss issues and exchange information relevant to low-income energy consumers, it is the individuals at the state, county, and local levels that perform the instrumental role by bringing information to the communities and individuals in need.

As part of the 2012 LIFE Statewide Conference, we will honor those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in addressing the issue of energy affordability for low-income New Yorkers. These “unsung heroes” play an essential role through education and outreach efforts aimed at helping low-income consumers address their energy challenges.

Anyone who has worked to address the utility related issues that low-income New Yorkers face is eligible to be nominated for the LIFE Achievement Award. In addition to the Award, recipients will receive complimentary registration for the conference.

Nominations will be accepted starting on February 27, 2012 and must be received no later than April 9, 2012.

Click here for a list of previous LIFE Achievement Award winners [PDF].

Click here to download a nomination form for the 2012 LIFE Achievement Award [PDF].

Accommodations

A special conference rate of $127 has been secured for LIFE Conference attendees at the Albany Marriott. To book accommodations, please call the Albany Marriott at 1-800-443-8952 and mention the “2012 LIFE Conference.”

Reserve your hotel accomodations online.

Exhibitors

The 2012 LIFE Statewide Conference will also feature an exhibit area. If you are interested in exhibiting at the conference, please download an Exhibitor Packet [PDF].

Updates

Please continue to check back here for additional details on the conference, including updates to the agenda.

We look forward to seeing you in May!