Staff member reports from Detroit battery conference, highlights New York State pavilion and industry momentum

Joe, a staff member, reported on attending a Detroit battery industry conference and described New York State’s pavilion, participating institutions and the industry’s outlook.

He said the pavilion (which he described as the “pavilion” on-site) cost “a little bit over $400,000” to build and that multiple New York State organizations were present, including RIT, Binghamton University, Empire State Development and NYSERDA; he also named Stanley Whittingham as an in-person draw. He said roughly 35 people from various New York State organizations represented the state and that a list of about 1,300 businesses and entities attended the show.

Joe said local companies from the region also had representation and that he and Jamie Johnson were representing the region at the event. He said attendance was down this year and that organizers attributed the decline primarily to developments at the federal level. He added, “whether you support it or like it or not, batteries are the future and batteries are gonna happen,” and said the region will work from the attendee list to market to companies in key sectors when they return.

His remarks were offered as a verbal report during the meeting; no formal action, funding request or directive related to the conference was recorded in the transcript.