ONEKAMA -- Daryl Holwerda remembers the Michigan Energy Fair's early days, when folks wandered past his electric company's exhibit booth more curious than committed to reducing energy consumption.
Those days are long gone.
"It went from people saying, 'Yeah, we're interested and intrigued,' to people saying, 'I have a project,'" said Holwerda, sales and marketing manager for Windemuller Electric Co. "When people are saying, 'I have project,' that's what's in it for me. For us, it's dollars and cents."
In just four years, Michigan Energy Fair evolved from an event primarily frequented by environmentalist types to a high-tech, cutting-edge exhibition that attracts a variety of business, consumer and political interests.
State officials these days trumpet alternative and renewable energy as a way to revive Michigan's economy, and the federal government is pumping billions in stimulus funds and tax credits toward such projects. Those factors make such events more mainstream than ever.
"It's beginning to make financial sense to do some of these things," Holwerda said.
Fair co-chairman Allan O'Shea, a Manistee County commissioner, said attendance increased 25 to 30 percent each year, and this year is expected to draw a crowd of nearly 8,000.
"We're really seeing people grow and expand their horizons in these areas," O'Shea said. "The most important thing is to educate the homeowner, who's paying a huge price for their energy costs, about some of the opportunities that are out there."
Exhibitor and sponsor numbers have grown as well, he said. This year's show will feature technology leaders, including the new Ford Fusion gas-electric hybrid car, bio-diesel truck fleets and other concept and plug-in cars.
On hand will be dozens of speakers, workshops and displays on topics that include solar and wind generators for commercial and residential use, green building and landscaping, biomass fuels, water recycling for homes and businesses and organic farming. Accountants will be available to explain state and federal tax credits for renewable projects, as will utility representatives to review energy-saving incentive programs for customers.
The fair is sponsored by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, and runs from Friday through Sunday at the Manistee County Fairgrounds in Onekama.
Keynote speakers include Lt. Gov. John Cherry at 4 p.m. on Friday and Scott Harrison at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Harrison is chief executive officer for Azure Dynamics, a Tier 1 auto supplier in Oak Park that designs and supplies hybrid electric vehicle control and power train systems for light to heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
Power Up
Event schedule for the Michigan Energy Fair
Friday:
-- Noon to 7 p.m. -- Fairgrounds open (exhibits until 6 p.m.)
-- 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. -- Tours of MasTech manufacturing plant in Manistee
-- 1 & 3 p.m. -- Tours of Douglas Valley sustainable winery
-- 1-4 p.m. -- Green Careers forum
-- 3 p.m. -- Kingsley Renewable Energy Home Tour
-- 3-5:50 p.m. -- Workshops
Saturday:
-- 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m. -- Fairgrounds open (exhibits until 5 p.m.)
-- 9:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. -- Kingsley Renewable Energy Home Tour
-- 10 a.m.-4:50 p.m. -- Workshops
-- 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. -- Tours of Douglas Valley sustainable winery
-- 10:30 a.m. -- Tour of MasTech manufacturing plant in Manistee
-- 11 a.m.-2 p.m. -- Kids' Tent
-- 5:30 p.m. -- Barbecue banquet
-- 7:30 p.m. -- Entertainment by New Third Coast
Sunday:
-- 8-10:30 a.m. -- Pancake breakfast in the Pavilion
-- 9 a.m. -- Fairgrounds open (exhibits until 4 p.m.)
-- 11 a.m.-3:50 p.m. -- Workshops
-- 11 a.m. -- Kingsley Renewable Energy Home Tour
-- 11:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. -- Tours of Douglas Valley sustainable winery
Source: Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association. More information is available at www.glrea.org
