WHY IS CREF DIFFERENT?

We don't regard ourselves as run-of-the-mill conference organizers, nor CREF just another talk-shop. These are some of the reasons why:

Track-Record - and a Different Mission to Most Conference Organizers
We conceived and began work on CREF in 2008. The price of oil had plummeted and the world economy was in freefall. Renewables in the Caribbean were firmly on the backburner. We ran CREF long before any other privately-held company took an interest because we were engaged and believed, not that the Caribbean needed another conference, but that energy security was a long-term issue that needed to be addressed.

Size and Sphere of Influence
CREF 2009 gathered 260 delegates from 36 countries; CREF 2010 saw 310 delegates attending from 37 countries. 10 Government Ministers attended CREF 2009; 11 joined us in 2010. At both events, several of our delegates described CREF as one of the best conferences they had ever been to. Period.

Backed by Sound Advice
Our efforts are backed by an influential group of advisors who represent every interest active in this arena, from utilities and development banks, to NGOs and academics. As we construct our approach and agenda for the annual conference, we do so safe in the knowledge that we are tackling the issues that matter to all renewables stakeholders in the Caribbean.

Interactive, Solution-Oriented Approach
Unlike many conference organizers, we are not afraid of controversy. In fact we believe that, sometimes, courting controversy is an approach which breeds honest discussion and subsequent results. CREF asks the difficult questions and then gathers market leaders representing every perspective to take part in highly interactive, often fiercely-debated, panel discussions. We believe that running a conference which comprises a succession of presentations is the easy route to take, but not - when it comes to our region and this issue - the best. We take the path of more resistance - but believe the resulting conference is substantially more valuable for all our participants.

Engaged Throughout The Year
CREF is not just about our annual meeting. CREF is about being part of the ongoing process which is defining the new way in which the Caribbean looks at its long-term energy matrix. We encourage CREF delegates to participate in a rapidly growing LinkedIn Group in which we ourselves actively participate with news postings. We post regularly on Twitter on developments in the region. And we are pleased to announce that, from 2011 on, we will be publishing a biannual newsletter on Caribbean renewables, the first edition of which is available for download here.