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FEW panels chosen

Posted: March 8, 2010 at 02:42 PM CST

Last week we compiled the work of nearly 40 industry professionals who helped review the 250-some abstracts submitted for presentations at the 2010 Fuel Ethanol Workshop, organizing them into potential panels. Creating 30 panels with four speakers each that address the most important industry topics is no small task. The help we received from our industry reviewers is invaluable. While not every abstract is as well written as some, and our reviews come from a variety of backgrounds, we quickly learn which subjects/people/companies are worth hearing from. Fortunately, a number of people submit multiple abstracts, so we don’t actually have to reject half the speakers. It’s also amazing that with that many abstracts, there are a few strong panel ideas that emerge that require recruiting more speakers.

Within the week, we expect to post the preliminary agenda and continue work on finalizing the panels and arranging for general session speakers. Putting together a program and expo for an event like FEW, scheduled June 14-17 in St. Louis this year, is a big job—not only to cover all the necessary details, but to also provide an event worthy of your time and resources to attend. Watch for more information as we firm up the details.

-Susanne Retka Schill