EFG Insights: National Home Performance Conference 2024
By Sammie Trvalik, Earth Forward Group
Published April 16, 2024
Earth Forward Group (EFG) was thrilled to attend the Building Performance Association National Home Performance Conference this spring. As a leading provider of energy solutions, participating in events like this allows us to stay at the forefront of industry trends and innovations. Here’s a recap of key conference highlights and valuable lessons we learned.
Event Overview
The National Home Performance Conference (NHPC), hosted annually by the Building Performance Association since 1986, serves as a pivotal gathering for professionals in weatherization and building performance. This year, the event convened a record breaking 2,400 industry experts nationwide. The conference spotlighted crucial themes including sustainable building practices, renewable energy integration, and fostering equity in energy access.
Showcasing our Work
EFG has been a consistent participant in the NHPC since our founding in 2017 and this year, we elevated our involvement to Associate Sponsor. Sponsorship provides a platform to enhance industry visibility and forge meaningful partnerships with diverse organizations.
On April 9th, EFG Principal Diana McCarthy-Bercury led a vendor showcase on "Empowering our Future Workforce: Tools for Successful Workforce Development," alongside Lead Technical Trainer Sonia Cruz and Senior Program Manager Kiana Soloman. This session provided an in-depth exploration of EFG's systematic approach to workforce development initiatives, spanning engagement with technical and traditional high schools, small contractor development, and mid-career professionals. We were pleased to receive positive feedback from an attentive audience, recognizing EFG's unique position in providing programs that bridge job-seekers with training and employment prospects. The event underscored the pressing, nationwide need for workforce development and fostered collaboration opportunities across the country. We're eager to explore implementing our train-the-trainer program model, building a coalition of weatherization trainers on a national scale.
EFG Principal Diana McCarthy-Bercury and Senior Program Manager Kiana Soloman deliver EFG’s Vendor Showcase presentation, “Empowering our Future Workforce: Tools for Successful Workforce Development.''
On April 10, EFG Lead Technical Trainer Sonia Cruz joined esteemed industry leaders on the Women in Weatherization Panel. This panel featured diverse perspectives from women who have made significant contributions to weatherization initiatives across various sectors. Moderated by Pam Dincher of the PCT Clean Energy Center, the panel featured Jessica Mahon of Community Services Agency, Jennifer Mares of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and Ashley Willis-Elhers of Multnomah County Weatherization. They discussed strategies for increasing gender diversity and fostering inclusive work environments in weatherization. Recognizing the varied career opportunities within weatherization, from technical work to education, the panel highlighted the impactful role women play in shaping energy efficiency and sustainability.
During this session, Sonia's remarkable achievement as the first woman to complete the newly developed Building Performance Institute (BPI) Total Building Performance (TBP) Certificate was met with a standing ovation from the audience. As a woman-owned small business dedicated to workforce development in the energy and building sectors, we proudly champion gender equality in these crucial fields.
I want to see more than 25% of the weatherization workforce be represented by women. Let's get to 50% or more, we can do it!"
Sonia Cruz, Women in Weatherizan Panel for the BPA National Home Performance Conference
EFG Technical Trainer, Sonia Cruz, receives a standing ovation for being the first woman to receive the BPI Total Building Performance (TBP) Certificate.
Building Connections
One of the highlights of the conference was the opportunity to network with industry peers, attend educational sessions, and engage with thought-provoking presentations. We had insightful conversations with fellow professionals, exchanged ideas, and explored potential collaborations. Building these relationships, coupled with attending informative sessions, is crucial for driving innovation and advancing our shared goal of creating a more sustainable future.
We appreciated the chance to host an exhibitor’s table during the trade show, reconnecting with valued industry partners and forging new connections. Our success in raffling off admission to our upcoming live, virtual BPI Building Science Principles (BSP) training this spring was particularly gratifying. If you were unable to visit our table, we are still accepting registration for a BSP course on June 26-27 or July 30-31. These courses are conducted under the expert guidance of our lead technical trainer, Sonia Cruz.
Key Learnings and Insights
The range of expertise showcased at NHPC 2024, uniting a wide spectrum of weatherization professionals, underscores the necessity of varied skills in achieving workforce and sustainability objectives in the energy and building fields. We are proud of our role within these domains and deeply value the diversity of our skilled team. We are committed to continuing our efforts to equip both current and future generations with the skills needed to secure and sustain meaningful employment as our nation embraces a greener future.
Stay tuned for more updates from Earth Forward Group as we continue our mission to empower communities with sustainable energy and workforce development solutions. We will see you next year for NHPC 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana!
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