A get-together for techies

Store Equipment & Design, August, 2000 by Marc Sandofsky

Here's a preview of the FMI Energy and Technical Services Conference slated for September in La Jolla, California.

The Food Marketing Institute's annual Energy and Technical Services Conference has historically been one of the best takes in the industry for supermarket facility and energy managers. This year's conference promises to be no exception. The conference, FMI's 21st, will be held Sept. 1720 in La Jolla, Calif., at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Among the topics to be covered are:

* Fuel cells, micro-turbines and piston-driven generation, and how these technologies can be applied to supermarkets.

* Internet applications for construction and maintenance.

* Maximizing energy savings through proactive maintenance programs

* The costs, benefits and training required to use infrared technology to enhance refrigeration and HVAC performance.

* How to recruit-and keep-quality technicians and maintenance personnel.

* Energy procurement strategies such as RFPs and online auctions.

* Effective power monitoring and strategic data use.