Battery Council to host virtual event

The Chicago-based Battery Council International (BCI) says it will host its first ever virtual convention on Monday, April 27, in lieu of its annual in-person event, known as the BCI Convention + Power Mart Expo.

BCI, which describes itself as the North American trade association representing lead battery manufacturing, supply, recycling and distribution companies, says the virtual convention will consist of “an engaging and dynamic program” featuring five industry speakers.

The group says the online platform it is using “will offer attendees an opportunity to interact with the content and speakers during a Q&A at the conclusion of each presentation.” BCI says it also will recognize the 2020 Innovation Award winner and entrants during a video presentation that will be part of the virtual convention.

The lineup of speakers includes: 

• Dr. Marc Zoellner, CEO of Germany-based HOPPECKE Batteries;
• Dr. Alistair Davidson, director of the London-based Consortium for Battery Innovation;
• Davis Knauer, of Pennsylvania-based East Penn Manufacturing Co.;
• Ray Kubis, chair of California-based Gridtential; and
• Nicholas Starita, president of the Massachusetts-based Energy and Industrial Systems Division of Hollingsworth & Vose Co.

“On behalf of BCI, I’d like to thank our membership for its continued support of our organization,” says Roger Miksad, BCI’s executive vice president and general counsel. “We look forward to delivering valuable content to members and engaging with our community in a new and innovative forum. In addition to engaging with the members who we will miss seeing at our in-person convention, we hope that others who might not have been able to travel to the convention will join the program.”

BCI says it is once again collaborating with industry publication Batteries International to prepare an annual BCI Yearbook. The Yearbook will be distributed in printed and digital forms following the virtual event. 

Registration for the 2020 Virtual Convention is $159 for BCI members, $259 for non-members and complimentary for attendees who were already registered for the 2020 BCI Convention + Power Mart Expo and who transfer their registration to the 2021 BCI Convention + Power Mart Expo. That event is scheduled for April 25-27 in Naples, Florida.

Information on how to register for the event can be found on this web page.