Devastation in New Orleans postpones IEEE conference until the spring

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - As the reports of the devastation in New Orleans come in, our first concerns have been for our many friends in the area and, in particular, for the members of the local organizing committee of the IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition. It has now become evident that the recovery process will be prolonged and will require a broad range of resources, including those of our industry.

My colleagues from the IEEE Power Engineering Society Governing Board and I have come to the conclusion that the most reasonable course of action, under these dramatic circumstances, is to postpone the event until next Spring. We feel that this decision is in the best interest of the industry we serve.

The decision has been reached to postpone the event until spring.

If at all possible, we would like to support the great City of New Orleans and its wonderful team of volunteers by holding the event there next spring.

The venue and dates will be announced within the next few weeks. We are well aware of the conflicts with other events will endeavor to minimize any inconveniences to the exhibitors and participants. Please continue to watch this site for details.

The exact details as to the transition to the new dates are still being worked out. In particular:

All contracted exhibiting companies will be contacted shortly by the show management organization to discuss the transition to the new dates.

We will contact those of you who have already registered as an attendee with information as to the transition of your registration.

We will shortly have details regarding your housing arrangements if you had already made reservations.

Please check with your airline for conditions regarding refunds for your New Orleans travel arrangements.

In closing, I would like to ask that you keep our friends in the devastated areas in your thoughts as their energies are focused to restore their living conditions. Your support is vital in these difficult times. We are counting on all of you to attend the event next spring. I am comforted by the strong and broad support we have received from the manufacturers during the decision process; I am confident that we can count on their full support of as exhibitors next spring.

Hans B. (Teddy) Püttgen, President, IEEE Power Engineering Society