PEOPLE POWER GIVES CALGARY ITS ENERGY EDGE
World-class event attracts thought leaders focused on the future of fuel technologies
A year ago Graeme Edge, cofounder of boutique search firm McLaren Dion Edge, flew to London to attend a conference hosted by famed entrepreneur Richard Branson.
He was pumped up by speakers and surrounded by a host of entrepreneurs who were seeing changes driven by a combination of powerful technology and social, political, regulatory and environmental forces. All of these forces were coming together at the same time with a potential to reshape the global energy system in an unprecedented way.
On the flight home, he began thinking of how Calgary has all of the key ingredients to transform from a traditional energy leader to a leader in future energy.
Edge felt that energy transformation represents an incredible economic opportunity for Canada — but it needed a spark to get things moving.
“In order to shift the needle, we need to bring thought leaders at the forefront of energy disruption to Calgary each year and get our best minds connected with them,” he says.
Edge discussed his ideas with his wife Michelle and founding business partner Rachel Maxwell, and they agreed to create a world-class event to ignite the Energy Disruptors movement.
Maxwell took on the job of chief operations officer for the event and Michelle is chief creative officer, while Edge began to harness his deep network and skills in bringing people together, beginning by picking up the phone and calling Holly Ransom in Australia.
Ransom is CEO of Emergent and one of the world’s most highly regarded thought leaders and in-demand keynote speakers who had been a moderator at the London event. Edge boldly shared his vision and asked her to be the host.
She agreed and the result is Energy Disruptors, a profit-for-purpose organization with a bold ambition to orchestrate a two-day event that will take place in the Big Four Building at Stampede Park on May 15 and 16, 2018.
“It’s essential for everyone to understand we are not anti-hydrocarbons,” Edge says. “In fact, just the opposite. We want to showcase the best of the Canadian oil and gas industry with respect to ingenuity on a global stage.”
ATB Financial has been secured as major sponsor. President and CEO Dave Mowat says, “In this day and age, there are constant changes and disruptions impacting all industries, whether it’s banking or the energy sector. Fortunately, in Alberta we know the energy industry better than anyone and we are innovators, ready to adapt and continue to lead the way. The next big ideas happen at places like Energy Disruptors and we’re excited to help bring those possibilities to Calgary.”
Since its launch, the team has booked an unprecedented lineup of international and local speakers, including Branson.
He will be joined by Susan Cain, TedTalks all-star, bestselling author and business thought leader, and Michael Liebreich, founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
Speakers such as David King, former chief scientific adviser to the U.K. government, and Boris von Bormann, CEO MercedesBenz Energy Americas, will discuss how the world is moving toward new and exciting energy sources driven by changes in electric transportation, better battery technologies and distributed power.
The three organizers have been overwhelmed with response and the event has already created a large local following. Early bird tickets are selling well from across North America and Europe.
It’s a huge commitment, but Edge says, “Ultimately, we believe we need to maximize the potential of Canadian hydrocarbons but also look to capture the top of the economic value chain as the world starts to move to other forms of energy. We don’t have the answers but we know we can get there by working together; connecting our best minds here locally to other brilliant people, global experts in their fields who will help us to achieve great things for Alberta and Canada.”
Energy Disruptors is planning to ignite a future energy movement right here in Calgary. More info at www.energydisruptors.com promo code HERALD10.
Congratulations to Clark Grue, president and CEO Telus Convention Centre, who has been elected as vice-chair of the executive team of Meetings Mean Business Canada, the advocate group that speaks on behalf of the industry in Canada.
We want to showcase the best of the Canadian oil and gas industry with respect to ingenuity on a global stage.