/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory - QUEST 2013 Conference & Tradeshow - Nov. 12 - 14/

Putting Cities and Communities at the Centre of the Energy Debate

MARKHAM, ON, Nov. 11, 2013 /CNW/ - QUEST, a national non-profit that focuses on advancing smart energy communities in Canada, will be hosting its 7^th annual Conference at the Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham in Markham, Ontario.

The QUEST 2013 Conference & Tradeshow is a venue for exploring the program, policy, and technology innovations that are putting cities and communities at the centre of the energy debate in Canada.

The national conference comes hot on the heels of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario's latest Annual Energy Conservation Progress Report in September, which recommended that the Province strengthen the role of municipalities in managing energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Commissioner Gord Miller will speak at the Conference on Wednesday Nov. 13 at 10:45am, and will be available for comment.

Many municipalities, gas and electric utilities, developers, and other community stakeholders across Canada are taking the helm when it comes to managing energy.

Karen Farbridge, Mayor of the City of Guelph, will also be speaking at the QUEST Conference on Wednesday Nov. 13, 11:00am. In Guelph, the municipality has collaborated with local energy utilities to prepare one of Canada's leading community energy plans.

Horizon Utilities, the local distribution company serving Hamilton and St. Catharines, is using the QUEST Conference to officially announce its new customer connection policy that incentivizes infill development, recognizing that compact development is more sustainable and more energy efficient. Neil Freeman, VP of Business Development, makes the announcement on Wednesday Nov. 13 at 9:00am and will be available for comment.

Other key speakers at the QUEST 2013 Conference & Tradeshow, include:

• Hon. Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Transportation, on how the Province's Growth Plan will align with energy - Tuesday Nov. 12, 12:40pm, available for comment
  
  
• Mayor Virginia Hackson, Town of East Gwillimbury, on opportunities and challenges for smart energy in "Canada's Fastest Growing Community" - Wednesday Nov. 13, 2:00pm, available for comment
  
  
• Michael Harcourt, QUEST Chairman and Former Premier of British Columbia and Mayor of Vancouver - Thursday Nov. 14, 10:15am, available for comment
  
  
• Ellen Dunham-Jones, Professor at Georgia Tech and author of "Retrofitting Suburbia", Wednesday Nov. 13, 8:30am, available for comment
  
  
• Colin Andersen, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Power Authority, on why communities matter to the OPA, Wednesday Nov. 13, 12:40pm, available for comment
  
  

Complimentary media passes available at the door.

Where: Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham, 8500 Warden Avenue, Markham, Ontario When: Nov. 12 (8am-5pm), Nov. 13 (8am-9:30pm), Nov. 14 (8am-11am)

QUEST - Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow - is a national non-profit organization supported by a collaborative network of partners that undertakes research, policy analysis, outreach, and capacity building to advance smart energy communities in Canada.

SOURCE: QUEST - Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow

Tonja Leach - Director, Communications & Engagement
Tel: [phone] ext. 323 Email: [email protected]