Brian E. Tully Named Executive Director of Solar Energy Trade Shows, LLC

WASHINGTON, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Managers of Solar Energy Trade Shows, LLC (SETS) today announced that Brian E. Tully will serve as executive director. SETS is a new joint venture formed by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) last October to produce trade shows that help advance the growing solar energy industry.

Tully brings to SETS nearly three decades of experience in various levels of trade show management at the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). In that role, he oversaw the annual FMI Supermarket Industry Convention, which was consistently ranked in the top 15 U.S. trade shows. At its peak, the event reached 550,000 net square feet while hosting 1,500 exhibitors and 36,000 attendees from 120 countries.

During his time at FMI, Tully also started four vertical trade shows within the retail food industry, including MarkeTechnics, a business technology event that grew to 100,000 net square feet with participation from 350 companies and 7,000 attendees. For a three-year period, Tully managed a staff that produced three annual U.S. events and one international show.

As executive director, he will manage and grow SETS' high-impact solar energy events, which include the Solar Power International and PV America conferences. Proceeds from these events will continue to be invested toward the continued growth of the U.S. solar energy market through SEIA's and SEPA's year-round advocacy, research and education activities.

"I'm very excited to be part of one of the nation's top B2B trade shows and to play a role in these world-class, international events," said Tully. "I'm proud to join SETS because clean solar power is playing an increasingly important role in creating American jobs and securing our energy independence."

"Our effective collaboration has led to Solar Power International being the premier solar event in the country," said Julia Hamm, executive director of SEPA. "Brian's skills will ensure that our conferences and trade shows will continue to bring together utilities and the solar industry to further develop solar in the U.S."

"Solar is one of the fastest growing industries in America and we created Solar Energy Trade Shows, LLC, to support the ongoing expansion of the industry," said Rhone Resch, SEIA president and CEO. "Brian's experience will help to ensure that our trade shows continue to help expand the U.S. solar energy market."

The first announced events to be produced by SETS will be Solar Power International 2010, October 12-14 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and PV America 2011, April 3-5 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Solar Energy Industries Association Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of U.S. solar energy industry. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. www.seia.org

Solar Electric Power Association SEPA is comprised of over 700 utilities and solar industry members. From national events to one-on-one counseling, SEPA is the go-to resource for unbiased and actionable solar intelligence. Breaking down information overload into business reality, SEPA takes the time and risk out of implementing solar business plans and helps turn new technologies into new opportunities. www.solarelectricpower.org

Solar Energy Trade Shows, LLC SETS is a joint venture formed in October, 2009, by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) to produce trade shows that help advance the growing solar energy industry.

SOURCE Solar Energy Trade Shows, LLC