Message from Monica Frassoni:

My fellow EE Global attendees, welcome! I trust that your first day here in Brussels was as enjoyable as my own. From the pre-conference workshops to the evening reception, our first day was a success. Why? Because it put us on the fast track to amplifying the call for energy efficiency in legislation, business and culture - both in Europe, and beyond.

As I walk through the Solutions Showcase, with the most current technology innovations in the industry, I can't help but think that we are on the brink of an energy efficiency revolution.
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Solutions Showcase Entertains, Educates

The Solutions Showcase opened today with 40 companies, government and nonprofit organizations presenting their finest energy efficiency technologies and programs. Whirlpool, Siemens, Schneider Electric and Philips anchored the floor, and an interactive gaming exhibit by Microsoft and Sony drew crowds – though who wouldn't want to see a virtual boxing match between high-level executives and Parliament officials?
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Opening Plenary: EE is "The Most Valuable Resource"

Fresh from a standing-room-only media event at the nearby EU Sustainable Energy Week, Keynote Speaker Günther Oettinger shared the European Union's goals of reducing energy usage 20% by 2020. Commissioner Oettinger was the keynote speaker to an opening plenary session packed with energy efficiency visionaries at the 4th annual EE Global Forum in Brussels, Belgium.
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Word from Our Sponsor: Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric provides technology and integrated solutions to optimise energy usage in markets such as energy & infrastructure, industry, data centres, buildings and residential. With a unique portfolio in electrical distribution, industrial automation, critical power & cooling, building management and security, Schneider Electric is the only global specialist in energy management and a world leader in energy efficiency.
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Overheard at the Opening Plenary Reception

After the opening plenary session, "Energy Efficiency: Tapping the World's Most Abundant Resource," EE Global attendees made their way to the Solutions Showcase to digest the two hours of insightful dialogue, and to ingest some food and beverages while taking a load off.

Between bites of veal and risotto, and drinks of champagne and beer, our attendees shared with us their thoughts on the first day of EE Global. Here's what they had to say:

Tamara Babayan, Director, Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund (R2E2 Fund)
"I expected a level of professionalism and the opening plenary session exceeded my expectations. The speakers provided concrete examples and there was a great dichotomy of the private sector, government and industry representatives."

Marie Vincente Paseloup of the United Nations Foundation
"There was a great roster of speakers. It really set the scene for the international make-up of the conference."

Tom Catania, Vice President of Government Relations, Whirlpool Corporation
"It took four years to get it exactly right, but I think we did it this time. The space is ideal for what we're doing here - using the pieces as a jumping-off point for meaningful networking."

More than 30 vendor booths, including EE Global 2011 founding-level sponsors Schneider Electric, Siemens and Whirlpool, featured efficient technologies and gave visitors the opportunity to ask questions directly from company representatives.

Tomorrow At EE Global

Opening day was nothing short of a rousing call to international action on energy efficiency, setting the stage for Wednesday’s full schedule of big-name speakers, Executive Dialogue sessions, and ancillary events. Leading off the Morning Plenary will be President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek, who will be joined byAmbassador Bruce Oreck and Guardian correspondent Fiona Harvey, among others. Lunch will be served in the Solutions Showcase, alongside the latest and greatest innovations in the industry.