Columbia, S.C. Hosts National Hydrogen Association Conference

Columbia, S.C. will host the 2009 National Hydrogen Association Conference March 30 - April 2. Below is a list of detailed announcement, event and speaker information.

National Hydrogen Association Media Advisory



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA INVITED TO NHA CONFERENCE, EXPO AND PRESS EVENTS NEXT WEEK IN COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA.
Agenda of Major Announcements, Speakers and Events

The nation's largest gathering of hydrogen industry professionals will be at the National Hydrogen Association Conference and Hydrogen Expo, March 30-April 2 in Columbia, S.C. For the full Conference schedule and agenda please visit our website: www.HydrogenConference.org. The Expo and some key activities will be open to the pubic on Hydrogen Public Day, Wednesday, April 1. As in past years, this event will showcase the newest technologies and vehicles and will be the center for new announcements. Complimentary media registration will get you access to all events and is available on-site. We hope you will be able to join the action! (If you are unable to attend or send a correspondent, please see the special webinar note under the VIP keynotes description at the end of this document.)

Selected events most likely to interest members of the press (full descriptions follow short list):

Monday, March 30
1. Aiken Hydrogen Fueling Station Ribbon-Cutting Event
2. Columbia Hydrogen Fueling Station Ribbon-Cutting Event
Tuesday, March 31
1. VIP Keynotes
2. Ride and Drive
3. Formula Zero: Team Element One
4. Joint SC/NHA Media Event at the SC Statehouse
5. Fuel Cell District Tours
Wednesday, April 1
1. VIP Keynotes
2. Hydrogen Public Day
3. Ride and Drive
4. Live Demo Area/Hydrogen Expo
5. Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge 2009 Awards Press Briefing
6. Formula Zero: Team Element One
7. Fuel Cell District Tours
Thursday, April 2
1. VIP Keynotes
2. Town Hall Meeting: The Good and the Bad About Hydrogen
Alphabetical Listing of Events Listed Above:
(For the full program, photos and other details, please visit www.HydrogenConference.org)
Aiken Fueling Station Ribbon-Cutting Event
When: Monday, March 30, 10: 00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Where: 860 Bettis Academy Road, Graniteville, SC29829
Who: John Troutman, Chairman, Economic Development Partnership, The Honorable Ronnie Young, Chairman, Aiken County Council, The Honorable Roland Smith, Chairman, Aiken Delegation, The Honorable Bobby Harrell, Speaker of the SC House of Representatives
What: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for new Aiken Hydrogen Fueling Station and unveiling of the South Carolina Hydrogen Freeway. A hydrogen powered vehicle will be fueled and driven to Columbia arriving at the new Columbia Hydrogen Fueling Station.
Visuals: Hydrogen vehicles, fueling demonstration, VIPs

Columbia Hydrogen Fueling Station Ribbon-Cutting Event
When: Monday, March 30, 1:15 p.m. - 1:45 pm
Where: Hydrogen Fueling Station: 335 Richland Street, Columbia, SC
Who: Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, Speaker of the SC House Bobby Harrell, USC President Dr. Harris Pastides (or USC representative), South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) CEO Bill Mahoney and Larry Wilson or an alternate on his behalf.
What: A brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Columbia Hydrogen Fueling Station to announce that it is now operational. The Columbia ceremony will be coordinated with a ceremony the same morning in Aiken, South Carolina. Speaker Bobby Harrell will arrive in Columbia from Aiken riding in a hydrogen-powered truck at the Station at which time the Columbia ribbon-cutting will commence. The events will highlight the "South Carolina Hydrogen Highway" and the state's ability to fuel hydrogen vehicles.
Visuals: Hydrogen vehicles, Formula Zero style hydrogen race cart, hydrogen forklifts, fueling demonstration, VIPs

Formula Zero: Team Element One
When: Tuesday, Mar. 31, 1-2 pm; Wednesday, April 1, 1-2 pm,
Where: Columbia Convention Center, lower level parking lot, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, South Carolina, USA 29202
Who: 15 university students from Team Element One at Lawrence Technological University
What: Formula Zero is an international championship race series among six university teams from Europe and the United States. Teams compete in the design, building, and racing of karts powered entirely by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells. The objective is to scale up the karts in future years to Formula One sized race cars. Come watch demonstrations by the Element One team, speak with the engineers about their vehicle, and learn about the future of zero-emissions racing. Their 500-lb kart has a top speed of about 60 mph. More info>>
Visuals: Fast hydrogen powered, electric race kart, university students

Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge 2009 Awards Press Briefing
When: Wednesday, April 1, 10:30 am - 10:45 am
Where: Columbia Convention Center, outdoor garden, lower level, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, South Carolina, USA 29202
Who: Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, USC president Dr. Harris Pastides, SCRA CEO Bill Mahoney
What: The USC Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative will hold a brief press conference to announce the Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge 2009 award recipients. The Challenge, organized by the University of South Carolina, the City of Columbia, the South Carolina Research Authority, and EngenuitySC was created in 2006 as an initiative to collaborate with private sector leaders from all areas of the fuel cell market for the unprecedented deployment of fuel cell and alternative energy technologies into multiple city, university and public applications throughout the region.
Visuals: VIPs announcing awards

Hydrogen Public Day
When: Wednesday, April 1: 10am - 5pm
Where: Columbia Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, South Carolina, USA 29202
Who: The public
What: Wednesday only, the Ride and Drive and Hydrogen Expo (including the Live Demo Area) will be open to the public so that anyone who can make it to the Convention Center has an opportunity to experience hydrogen products and technologies. See also "Ride and Drive" and "Live Demo Area." Several bus loads of school groups are already confirmed for attendance. 1,000+ additional people expected
Visuals: Hydrogen cars and a hydrogen bus, Formula Zero race kart, forklifts, robots, video cameras, portable power packs, school groups, teachers, the public and more.

Joint SC/NHA Media Event at the SC Statehouse
When: Tuesday, March 31, 4-4:30pm
Where: South steps, South Carolina Statehouse, 1101 Gervais St., Columbia, SC29201
Who: Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, Tom Mutchler of Air Products and Chemicals, Bill Mahoney of the South Carolina Research Authority and Elbert Malone of the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance.
What: This event will highlight South Carolina's state-wide commitment to a becoming a leading center of excellence in hydrogen & fuel cell technology and will recognize the importance of the 2009 NHA Conference and Hydrogen Expo to the economic development of the region. Hydrogen & fuel cell vehicles will be available for viewing.
Visuals: Hydrogen vehicles, SC Statehouse backdrop, VIPs

Live Demo Area/Hydrogen Expo
When: Wednesday, April 1: 10am - 5pm and other times ad hoc.
Where: Columbia Convention Center, lower level Hydrogen Expo ("booth" #522), 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, South Carolina, USA 29202
Who: Representatives from LiftOne, Bridgestone/Firestone, Formula Zero Team Element One, students, others
What: The Live Demo Area is a section of the Hydrogen Expo where attendees (and the public on Wednesday) will be able to experience other hydrogen technologies besides the cars and trucks available for driving outside. This year, it will feature at least one driveable hydrogen forklift, like those used by Walmart, Bridgestone/Firestone, Ace Hardware and others), robots from the "Green Machine" Student Competition, hydrogen video cameras (used by local PBS station, ETV), portable hydrogen power packs and other items. The rest of the Hydrogen Expo will feature exhibits from dozens of the leading companies in the hydrogen industry. More info>>
Visuals: A wide selection of hydrogen products.

Ride and Drive
When: Tuesday, March 31: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm; Wednesday, April 1: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Where: Columbia Convention Center, Outside Main entrance, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, South Carolina, USA 29202
Who: Charles E. Freese, Executive Director, Fuel Cell Activities, General Motors; Stephen Ellis, Manager, Fuel Cell Marketing, American Honda; Rosario Berretta, Manager, Fuel Cell Operations, Daimler; Kwontae Cho, Engineering Manager, Fuel Cell Division, Hyundai - Kia
What: Each year, the NHA Conference and Hydrogen Expo showcases one of the best displays of hydrogen vehicles anywhere. They will be available to media and conference attendees on Tuesday and anyone (the public) on Wednesday. Some of the vehicles are powered by engines. Others run on electricity from fuel cells. Many are hybrids. All of them run on hydrogen. Chevrolet Silverado hydrogen ICE vehicle, Daimler: A-Class F-Cell (with new longer range), GM: Project Driveway Equinox FCEV, Honda: FCX Clarity, Kia: Borrego FCEV More Info>>
Visuals: Sharp-hydrogen vehicles, business people driving them Tuesday, the public driving them Wednesday.

Town Hall Meeting: The Good and the Bad About Hydrogen
When: Thursday, April 2: 2:30 - 4 pm
Where: Columbia Convention Center, Richland Room, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, South Carolina, USA 29202
Who: State Representative Joan Brady (SC, Dist 78), Chris White of the California Fuel Cell Partnership, Christy Cooper of the U.S. Department of Energy, Rick Smith of the Hydrogen Energy Center, Carla York of Innovation Drive, Rolf Nordstrom of the Upper Midwest Hydrogen Initiative, Joel Rinebold of the Connecticut Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Coalition
What: The public is invited to a forum for hard questions to discover the truth backing up the hype and where some critics are actually right. An expert panel will answer these tough questions.
Visuals: Public forum for hard questions and interaction with hydrogen experts

VIP Keynotes
When: 5 keynote sessions. Tuesday, March 31: 8:00 - 10:30 am and 2 - 3 pm; Wednesday, April 1: 8:30 - 10:30 am and 2:30 - 3:30pm; Thursday, April 2: 8:00 - 10:00 am and 12:30 - 2 pm
Where: Columbia Convention Center, Grand Ballroom, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, South Carolina, USA 29202
Who: (please refer to the online program for exact speaking times)
� Bob Coble, Mayor, Columbia, SC*
� Charles E. Freese, Executive Director, Fuel Cell Activities, General Motors
� Daryl Wilson, CEO, Hydrogenics Corp.
� David Houle, Futurist, Author of The Shift Age
� Dr. Bill Mahoney, CEO, South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA)
� Dr. Chris Przirembel, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Clemson University
� Dr. Harris Pastides - President, University of South Carolina*
� Dr. Paul Lucchese, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Project Manager, French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)
� Dr. R. K. Malhotra, Executive Director, Indian Oil Company
� Dr. Samit Bhattacharyya, Director, Savannah River National Laboratory
� Duncan Macleod, Vice President, Shell Hydrogen
� Jeffrey Serfass, President, National Hydrogen Association*
� JoAnn Milliken, Hydrogen Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy
� Matthew Mench, Ph.D., Vice President, International Association of Hydrogen Energy
� Mike McGowan, NHA Chairman and Head of Hydrogen Solutions North America, Linde Group*
� Patrick Moore, Founder, Greenspirit and former President, Greenpeace Canada*
� Richard Carlin, Ph.D., Department Head, Sea Warfare and Weapons Command, Office of Naval Research;
� Stephen Ellis, Manager, Fuel Cell Marketing, American Honda
� Tom Mutchler, General Manager, Worldwide Equipment, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
� William Ryan, General Manager, LiftOne
What: Executive-level addresses, about 10-30 mins each from the leading thought shapers in the hydrogen industry and South Carolina. Several will make announcements and will give a glimpse at what lies ahead for the hydrogen industry.
Visuals: VIP's in a large audience, ballroom setting.
*Special Note: All keynotes, except those marked with an asterisk, will be available LIVE by webinar for those who are not able to make it to Columbia, but wish to cover the event. Complimentary pre-registration is required. http://www.hydrogenconference.org/webinars.asp

CONTACT:

Patrick Serfass, National Hydrogen Association,
202-904-0220 cell,
pserfass@ttcorp.com

Emily Brady, Chernoff Newman,
803-238-4767 cell,
emily.brady@cnsg.com


About the NHA Conference Hydrogen Expo
The NHA Conference and Hydrogen Expo is the largest hydrogen conference in the US. Now in its 20th year, it is also the longest running annual hydrogen conference in the world, attracting more than 1,000 business professionals and expo visitors every year who gather to learn about the latest advances, network with colleagues and exchange ideas. More information may be obtained by visiting www.HydrogenConference.org

About the National Hydrogen Association
The National Hydrogen Association (NHA) is the Nation's premier hydrogen trade organization led by over 100 companies dedicated to supporting the transition to hydrogen. Efforts are focused on education and outreach, policy, safety and codes and standards. Since 1989, the NHA has served as a catalyst for information exchange and cooperative projects and continues to provide the setting for mutual support among industry, research and government organizations. Find out more at: www.HydrogenAssociation.org





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