Don’t Miss the Big Clean Energy Conferences

In a typical year, I try to attend most of the major local energy industry conferences, and another three or four scattered around the globe that I deem to be particularly important – especially if I can combine them with other business purposes, or visits to family and friends within a reasonable drive. There are plenty of good, solid reasons to go. We learn from smart people who live and breathe this stuff, we do what we can to scope out the state of the art, and we network. The food’s great, and after hours we have a couple of drinks.

The Renewable Energy Finance Forum is always on my radar screen, as it provides all these benefits in spades. Just a few moments ago, I heard from a fantastic guy, Charlie Duncheon, who sat next to me at lunch at last fall’s REFF at San Francisco’s Ritz Carlton. During the meal, we spoke for a few minutes about the show, and our respective roles in it. We were perhaps a bit disappointed that we found no real business connection, but Charlie happened to mention that he had written a book on coaching kids’ sports. “Really?” I asked. “I want a copy! I have had a few adventures of my own.” It was at that point that we came to realize what we had in common.

The transcript of our email conversation is below. If you’re at all interested, click on the link to my story about coaching a 5th grade basketball team.  I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as Charlie did.

Hi Craig. Hope your green energy consulting is going as well as your book sales. I remember going to your blog and laughing my butt off on your story about the time with the boys.　My blog, www.charlieduncheon.posterous.com has gotten some stories from readers of my Reflections but not as funny as your story. Perhaps we could link to your story from our site?

Charlie: Sure — But, to my shame, I’m having trouble remembering exactly which one that was.　 Can you refresh my memory?

Craig: It was the story about coaching boys basketball and one of them volunteering bridges for you to jump off. Gosh, I hope I have the right Craig.　

Charlie: Ah! Yes, I’m the right Craig. That’s what I thought. Here it is:　http://craigshieldsquestions.com/coaching-another-anecdote/.  I hope your readers like it.