Oct 25, 2012 3 min read

For the past 24 years, Pittsburgh-based Catalyst Connection has helped many of the region’s small- and mid-sized manufacturers solve a variety of challenges, from staffing to process improvement and reducing costs. Next month, Catalyst and the National Energy Technology Laboratory-Regional University Alliance will partner to discuss how area manufacturers can participate in the region’s ongoing energy boom. On Nov. 28 and 29, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe, Catalyst and NETL-RUA will present the second annual Energy & Innovation Conference, aimed at area manufacturers of all sizes. Participants also will hear from representatives from the Federal Reserve Bank, think tank Rand Corp., the state Department of Community and Economic Development and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. “The conference brings together people committed to accelerating the development of technology and the creation of new products in our region,” said Petra Mitchell, president and chief executive officer of Catalyst Connection. Keynote speaker C. Alan Walker, Pennsylvania’s secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, will focus on the findings of Gov. Tom Corbett’s Manufacturing Advisory Council, which noted Pennsylvania’s diversity in its manufacturing base makes it well positioned to support growth in emerging markets such as energy, including renewables and natural gas as well as medical devices and life sciences. In addition to Walker, the two-day event will feature Anthony Cugini, director of NETL; Keith Crane, director of the environment, energy and economic development program at Rand Corp.; Mark Schweitzer, senior vice president and director of research for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland; and Bill Flanagan, executive vice president for corporate relations at Allegheny Conference on Community Development. Mitchell said the event will showcase collaborative research programs and provide “how to” sessions on ways to partner with the NETL-RUA for commercialization and breakout sessions about shale gas, sensors and process control systems, energy and water and materials for and from energy applications. In addition to networking, attendees can access overviews by NETL-RUA researchers, as well as sessions focused on manufacturing needs. According to Mitchell, the conference’s presentation of perspectives from people such as the Fed’s Schweitzer presents a firsthand delivery “that we as business leaders don’t always get the opportunity to hear.” At the core, she added, is a sizing up of the ways the region’s manufacturers can pursue opportunities being created by the presence of the energy industry here. Last year, the inaugural event held in Wexford drew 120 attendees, a response that merited the addition of a second day this year, said Mitchell, who noted 50 to 60 companies have already registered. “What’s new is that this year (NETL) is partnering with us to bring small manufacturers to the table,” she said. The second Annual Energy & Innovation Conference will be held Nov. 28 and 29 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe. For more information, including registration, access http://technologyacceleration.org/eiconference.aspx.