August 8, 2017

Dear Colleagues:

On behalf of our sponsors and the conference Planning Committee, welcome to IEPEC, the 22nd International Energy Program Evaluation Conference!  We hope you take to heart this year’s theme, “Making Ambitious Reductions Real: Accurate and Actionable Evaluation,” by taking advantage of the many opportunities this conference offers. That’s not just the paper, panel, and poster sessions—it’s the lively discussions they generate. These will enrich your experience and the value of the conference, and help move our industry forward.

We have an exciting and timely agenda for you. Our keynote speaker, Bob Inglis, a Republican former U.S. Representative for South Carolina, will start us thinking with the story of his journey from climate change skeptic to promoter of free enterprise action on climate change. We’ll wrap up with a closing plenary on how evidence-based policy making can survive in a world of “alternative facts.” The papers, panels, and discussions during the breaks will keep us buzzing in between.

We want to thank the many people who generously volunteer their time and expertise to make this conference meaningful and useful: conference Planning Committee members, Session Coordinators, Moderators and Presenters. And special thanks and kudos to Cara Lee Mahany Braithwait, the Conference Coordinator, who manages to pull off a fabulous conference every two years, regardless of what is tossed her way.

We particularly want to express our gratitude to our sponsors, whose generous contributions make this conference possible. Please thank them when you see them here in Baltimore.

If you have questions about the conference or suggestions for improvements, please share them with us or other Planning Committee members. And of course, complete the conference evaluation form.

Enjoy a stimulating and fun IEPEC!

Sincerely,

Monica Nevius, Conference Chair

Jenna Canseco, Conference Co-Chair