NEFI EXPO WELL ATTENDED & SUCCESSFUL

The New England Fuel Institute's (NEFI) 34th North American Heating and Energy Expo, held June 7 and 8 in Boston, was a resounding success, with a bustling show floor full of attendees and hundreds of exhibitors.

The trade show floor was full of exhibitors and attendees during the Expo.

"The NEFI Energy Expo exemplifies what our association is about," said NEFI President and CEO Michael Trunzo. "At a time when the energy industry is facing daunting challenges it is important to be able to bring the retail Oilheat dealers together with the industry that supports them--major oil companies, wholesale suppliers and affiliated industry companies that make the equipment, products and administrative programs. It's all an effort to help the retail Oilheat company become more efficient, effective and profitable.

Former NEFI CEO Jack Sullivan gave the legacy address at the Grande Luncheon and talked about the need for friendly competition in the industry.

"Thousands of attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the latest products and services available to them from more than 200 exhibitors, while also engaging in interactive business and technical sessions with leaders in the industry," Trunzo continued.

Featured technical speaker Richard Trethewey, the home heating expert from PBS' "This Old House," was one of many session hosts to lead a lively presentation before a packed room of participants. The Expo Summit business sessions were similarly well attended, with the keynote session led by Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA) President Dan Gilligan on the industry's latest legislative efforts in Washington, D.C.

National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) President John Huber also spoke about the importance of the grassroots effort for NORA to regain Congressional reauthorization and Dr. Thomas Butcher of Brookhaven National Laboratory gave an overview of some of the most promising and efficient technology on the horizon.

The lead sponsor of the NORA Reauthorization bill in the House of Representatives, Congressman Charles Bass of New Hampshire, spoke at the NEFI Annual Meeting on Wednesday and asserted his confidence in the Oilheat industry's viability and strong future, as well as the need for NORA.

Rep. Charles Bass of New Hampshire spoke at the NEFI Annual Meeting about his support for the National Oilheat Research Alliance's (NORA) reauthorization.

The 2011 Energy Expo also brought back the NEFI Grande Convention Luncheon. On Wednesday, the prestigious Charles H. Burkhardt Award was presented to Jim Townsend of Townsend Oil & Propane in Danvers, Mass., for his years of service to a variety of industry associations.

Global Partners LP President Eric Slifka was the featured speaker at the NEFI Grande Luncheon.

Eric Slifka, the president of Global Partners LP, was the featured speaker at the luncheon. Slifka's presentation provided attendees his insights into the future petroleum and home heating business, as well as a series of charts depicting current trends in pricing for all petroleum products and how they compete with each other.

THE JOHN B. HYNES VETERANS MEMORIAL CONVENTION CENTER
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

SPONSORED BY
THE NEW ENGLAND FUEL INSTITUTE