Renowned Technology and Innovation Leader to Keynote Rural Smart Grid Summit

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Robert Atkinson, the founder and president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a Washington, DC-based technology policy think tank whose mission is to formulate and promote public policies to advance technological innovation and productivity, will be the keynote speaker at the Rural Smart Grid Summit (RSGS), beginning April 26th near San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"Dr. Atkinson is a valued advisor to national and state policy lawmakers and the leader of one of the most influential think tanks on technology and innovation policy in Washington," said William Booth, Events Coordinator of the RSGS. "Attendees of the Summit will have a real grasp of where technology innovation and productivity policy—in essence, Smart Grid policy—is directly headed in the near future."

The RSGS is an exclusive, invitation-only, fully paid event for the CEOs of eighty plus U.S. electric coops. The electric coops will interact in small, intimate venues with Smart Grid technology executives.

"I am delighted to be keynoting an event which will bring together technology leaders on the forefront of Smart Grid innovation and senior decision makers from electric utility cooperatives who will make Smart Grid efficiency and productivity possible," said Dr. Atkinson. "The Smart Grid technology revolution in rural areas in America has had and will continue to have a remarkable impact on the future of energy consumption and information technology."

Dr. Atkinson, who received his Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is the author of the book, The Past And Future Of America's Economy: Long Waves Of Innovation That Power Cycles Of Growth and has written numerous research reports on technology and innovation policy, including on issues such as broadband telecommunications, Internet telephony, and growth economics.

Last week, IBM announced it would be a Title Sponsor of the RSGS, which is opened to any Smart Grid vendor interested in sponsoring this event. However, the sponsorships are exclusive and limited to about 40 companies that will discuss and disclose their Smart Grid solutions and products. Senior level discussions will take place at the RSGS that may disclose and help create collaboration on future products.

For more information, visit www.ruralsmartgrid.com. Prospective vendor participants may contact Al Rowley at [email protected].

SOURCE Rural Smart Grid Summit