As ICUEE 2009 nears its October 6 opening, the utility and construction exposition continues to add features to increase the value for show participants:

• New safety demos will complement the classroom education sessions: Live Line Demo, Pole Top/Fall Protection Demo, and Confined Space Demo.
• The U.S. Department of Energy's Smart Grid Task Force Director will be the lead speaker during a special session on emerging smart-grid technology.
• Also, a record number of exhibitors have signed on to the show's New Product & Technology program, which highlights exhibitors' new-to-market innovations.

ICUEE, the International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition, will be held October 6-8, 2009 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

ICUEE 2009 will feature exhibits of the latest innovations and technology in equipment, products and services; hands-on working-equipment demonstrations; and in-depth industry education programs. The show focuses on the electric, phone and cable, sewer and water, gas, general construction, landscaping and public works sectors.

Go online - www.icuee.com - for the latest show news and to register. Save time and money by registering in advance for the show and its education programs. Advance deadline is September 11, 2009, and registration is also available onsite.

SAFETY DEMOS
ICUEE 2009 attendees will have access to three outdoor demos related to training courses of the co-located iP Safety Conference and Expo (Safety Zone). The demos will run throughout the show in outdoor lot K.

The Live Line Demo safety program will help attendees become more aware of electrical hazards in their work, and protective steps to take when working around electricity. The Pole Top/Fall Protection demo demonstrates fall prevention and rescue measures applicable to utility workers. And, the Confined Space Demo (with simulator) also focuses on prevention/rescue procedures and will be of interest to industry professionals working in restricted underground spaces.

SMART-GRID EDUCATION
The show's "Getting Smart about the Smart Grid" presentation now includes Eric Lightner, Director of the Smart Grid Task Force in the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Electricity. Modernizing America's electricity grid is a goal of the federal government, which has allocated a substantial amount of economic stimulus funding to the task.

Lightner has been a program manager at DOE for the last 19 years, specializing in advanced technology development. Task force activities include smart-grid research and development, development of smart grid standards and protocols; and the relationship of smart grid technologies to electric utility regulation, infrastructure development, system reliability, and security.

This ICUEE special presentation is set for the afternoon of October 6 (3:30 PM - 5:00 PM) and will be an interactive discussion on the latest smart-grid developments with representatives from leading companies and industry groups.

Also signing on to participate is Mark Hura, Smart Grid Commercial Leader for GE Energy; Hura and Lightner will be joined by representatives from Cisco Systems, Duke Energy, GridWise Alliance and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). For more details see http://www.icuee.com/Media/Releases/Release.asp?a=79.

NEW PRODUCT & TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
ICUEE's New Product & Technology program now has more than 100 participants who have signed up to spotlight their new products at the show - new as of January 1, 2009 and deliverable by December 31, 2009.

The majority of ICUEE attendees say they come to see new products, and this program helps them find those products faster, both pre-show and onsite. The participants are highlighted online in the Exhibitor Directory section of the show website, and visitors can use the online MyShow planner to assemble a personalized onsite agenda of exhibits, education and meetings. The onsite show directory and special booth signage will also direct attendees to New Product and Technology Program participants.

ICUEE RETURN ON INVESTMENT - More Industry Events and Education in One Place
Industry co-locations new for 2009 are also increasing the return on investment for ICUEE participants, bringing additional exhibits, education and networking opportunities.

ICUEE registration gives attendees access to the new H2O-XPO exposition, from the National Rural Water Association (water and wastewater), the iP Safety Conference and Expo (safety and training), and the IUV Technology Conference (design and engineering).

ICUEE 2009 will offer a record number (more than 100) education sessions geared to utility and construction topics. Exhibits will cover the outdoor lots of the Kentucky Exposition Center and "class A" exhibit space in the center's new North Hall in addition to the South Hall. Working-equipment demonstrations of underground, at ground and aerial equipment include a "ride and drive" demonstration track for on-road commercial trucks.

For more information, visit www.icuee.com.