Labs21: Training and Education - Labs21 2008 Annual Conference

Labs21 2008 Annual Conference Photo Gallery

Peruse these photos to get a glimpse of some of the highlights from the Labs21 2008 Annual Conference.

Photo of the San Jose McEnery Convention Center

On September 16-18, 2008, more than 750 architects, engineers, federal employees, laboratory owners, facility managers, and other laboratory professionals gathered at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California, to discuss the latest in sustainable high-performance facility design and construction at the Labs21 2008 Annual Conference.

Marcia McNutt, President and CEO of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute captivated conference attendees during the Opening Plenary keynote address on Tuesday morning. Dr. McNutt is one of the nation's leading experts on global climate change and its effect on the planet's oceans. She shared her first-hand experiences of the devastating impacts that global climate change can have on the Earth's marine ecosystems, while also acknowledging the dramatic, and positive, changes that can result from increased sustainability and improved environmental practices.

This year's conference offered nearly 100 technical presentations, plus eight Morning Roundtables and two "Roll Up Your Sleeves" Roundtables. Also featured this year were four half-day symposia focusing on specific areas of sustainability, including on-site renewable energy systems; metering and benchmarking; laboratory sustainability issues faced in Europe; and cross-contamination issues in healthcare facilities.

On Wednesday evening, some conference attendees participated in a tour of the Santa Clara County Crime Laboratory, a state-of-the-art, LEED® Gold Certified facility that handles evidence analysis for police and investigative units. The tour highlighted the combination of necessary elements of a crime laboratory with sustainable design features that address water conservation and energy efficiency. Attendees were also able to visit two local data centers: Sun Microsystems and NetApp, as well as two cutting-edge buildings on Stanford University's campus: The Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki Environment and Energy Building (Y2E2) and the innovative Carnegie Institution for Science's Department of Global Ecology (DGE) on Monday evening.

Photo of Canadian MOU Signing

On Wednesday, September 17, 2008 the Public Works and Government Services of Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that solidifies its commitment to laboratory energy efficiency and sustainability. The MOU opens the channels of communication and knowledge sharing to ensure that sustainable solutions are employed wherever possible.

This year's Technology and Services Fair featured 65 organizations that showcased the latest in sustainable laboratory products and services. The fair was sponsored by the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories, in partnership with the Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association. Attendees explored the exhibit hall and spoke with exhibitors throughout the conference, including during breakfasts, breaks, and lunches, as well as the exhibitor showcase reception on Tuesday evening. Some exhibitors also gave presentations highlighting what their company has to offer.

Photo of Tech Fair Booths

Members of the Labs21 Team enjoyed the Evening Reception in the exhibit hall that welcomed attendees to the conference. Pictured from left to right are Paul Mathew and Dale Sartor of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Otto Van Geet of the National Renewable Eneregy Laboratory, Geoffrey Bell, also from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Dan Amon, of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (Not pictured, Nancy Carlisle, National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Will Lintner, U.S. Department of Energy)

Photo of Go Beyond Awards Luncheon

The closing luncheon ceremonies honored the winners of the first Go Beyond Awards, sponsored by the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories. The awards honor individuals and organizations who "go beyond" the status quo in their work to increase efficiency in laboratories and other high-performance facilities. View the complete list of winners.