Recharge your biobased diesel batteries

Time is running out to register for the 2021 Virtual National Biodiesel Conference & Expo Jan. 18-21. Given the ease with which people can register and attend from the comfort of their homes or offices, I would anticipate a big turnout.

Just think. No getting up at 3 a.m. to drive to the airport. No luggage ending up in Milan when you are waiting in Miami. No sinking feeling when you realize you forgot to pack your business cards and, instead, left them on the kitchen table when you were rearranging your baggage. No car accidents on the ride from the airport to the hotel when your cab driver (yes, I still take cabs) rear-ends the Uber driver in front of him—this actually happened to me in San Diego two years ago.

To convey my feelings about this event, which I have attended every year for the past 16 years, I’ll put them in the parlance of our “electrified” times.

The National Biodiesel Conference & Expo is an annual opportunity for me to recharge my biobased diesel batteries. I go in with hope—and often times a little bit of anxiety—and I leave feeling pumped up and electrified. This may sound hyperbolic, but it’s not. It’s truly how I feel.

There may be some out there who think the sessions are only useful to those who are relatively new to the industry. Let me tell you, I don’t believe that to be true.

After more than a decade and a-half in this space, I still find most of the sessions and speakers to be highly informative, useful, and they often provide me with a new or alternative way to look at an issue.

Some of my most memorable biodiesel events over the years include:

• 2007 in San Antonio—Merle Haggard, who began using biodiesel in his tour buses, held a great concert and pre-concert press conference, during which I had the honor of asking him a question and getting his autograph. To quote Stan Lee, “Nuff said.” RIP, Merle.

• 2009 in San Francisco—Daryl Hannah. Those who were there, or who heard about her speech, know what I’m talking about. It was definitely memorable.

• 2013 in Las Vegas—the one and only time the event was held in Vegas. Many of us want to see it return there.

• 2019 in San Diego—I was honored to accept the NBB’s Eye on Biodiesel Influence Award for my years of biodiesel industry coverage.

• 2021—Biobased Diesel Daily is proud to be a media partner with the Virtual National Biodiesel Conference & Expo. After launching my new magazine website this fall (biobased-diesel.com) to provide news, information and perspective on biodiesel, renewable diesel and SAF, I could not be more excited to officially support the event this way.

So, please join me in attending this year’s conference. Please visit my virtual booth, and all exhibitors’ booths. Enjoy the sessions. Get ideas. Make conversation. And do it all from the comfort of your own space.

Registration is fast and simple. You can do it in minutes at https://www.biodieselconference.org.

Enjoy the rest of your week and I look forward to your virtual attendance next week.