Mary Beth Brenner of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Will Present Closing Keynote at CLEANTECH NJ 2011 Conference

HACKENSACK, N.J., Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mary Beth Brenner, assistant director of the Division of Economic Development and Energy Policy for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), will discuss the revision of the state's Energy Master Plan as the closing keynote speaker at "CLEANTECH NJ 2011: The Business of Clean Technology," New Jersey's first business- and investor-focused clean technology conference.

The conference will convene prominent clean technology and energy stakeholders on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the Woodbridge Hilton in Iselin, N.J.  Caren S. Franzini, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, will deliver the other keynote address. The event is being hosted by Antenna Group Inc., a subsidiary of Hackensack, N.J.-based Beckerman. Antenna is a nationally recognized strategic communications firm with a specialty in clean and renewable energy technologies.   

GeoGenix, one of the state's oldest and largest solar integrators, joins as a sponsor of the event. Phil Stone, sales director of GeoGenix, will participate on a panel, "New Jersey's Dynamic Energy Future," which will examine how the renewable energy sector, and particularly solar, is likely to be affected by changes in market conditions, state and federal policy initiatives and financial incentives.  A second panel, "The National Renewable Roadmap:  Planning, Funding, Developing Technologies," will explore the current state of various cleantech sectors, the promise of each and what investors find attractive in companies in the space.

CLEANTECH NJ 2011 will bring together senior executives of New Jersey-based clean technology and energy companies, government policymakers and regulators, institutional and "angel" investors, professional services firms, thought leaders and environmental activists to leverage the region's competitive and economic strengths in the cleantech sector.  

"New Jersey is at the leading edge of a cleantech revolution that will forever change the way we live," said Keith Zakheim, Antenna Group CEO. "Antenna is proud to be convening the region's cleantech leaders to explore ways to maintain that momentum so that New Jersey can continue to lead the way to a new energy future that will create jobs, promote a cleaner environment and renew regional prosperity."

A topic of special interest to attendees will be the state's Energy Master Plan, which is currently undergoing revision. Brenner, who is managing the revision of the plan, will present the conference closing keynote and discuss the master plan revision process, as well as the next steps for finalizing the plan and the recommendations of the plan's work groups, particularly with regard to investment.

Prior to joining the BPU, Brenner spent more than 20 years at the state Department of Environmental Protection, working in the office of the commissioner as head of constituent services, as well as in various divisions and programs.

"The response to the Energy Master Plan draft through verbal and written testimony has been tremendous, indicating the strong public interest in the state's renewable energy future," Brenner said. "The BPU is extraordinarily proud of New Jersey's role as a national renewable energy leader and we look forward to establishing a strategic vision through the Energy Master Plan to build upon that achievement."  

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the conference.  GeoGenix joins such sponsors as Matrix Development Group, a privately held, full-service real estate investment and development company that has developed real estate valued in excess of $1 billion since its founding in 1979; Solis Partners, a leading developer and integrator of solar power systems for commercial, industrial and utility clients; and SORINROYERCOOPER, a new law firm focused on meeting the needs of emerging growth and middle-market sectors including technology, alternative energy and cleantech. The media sponsor is NJBIZ, the state's premier business journal.

In addition to compelling panel discussions with prominent clean energy business and thought leaders, conference attendees will have the opportunity to attend a networking-focused cocktail hour.

To register for the conference or for information on sponsorship, please visit www.cleantechnj.com.

About Antenna Group

Antenna Group is the nation's largest clean technology public relations firm and its parent company, Beckerman, ranks among the top 10 fastest-growing public relations agencies according to O'Dwyer's  (http://www.odwyerpr.com/pr_firm_rankings/leading_gainers.html). Antenna Group is a dedicated advocate for innovative technology businesses whose products or services contribute to a cleaner, more energy-efficient world. Antenna's cleantech client-partners are multinational companies for which Antenna serves as the agency of record, leading strategy and managing outreach via partners worldwide. Antenna's experience includes renewable energy of all kinds; energy efficiency; energy storage; finance, from utility-scale to residential; waste management; water; and food purification. Cleantech embraces modern energy, green tech and technologies for sustainable living. To learn more, please visit: http://www.antennagroup.com.

About Beckerman

Founded in 1989, Beckerman ranks among the top 10 fastest-growing and top 50 largest independent public relations firms in the industry. Along with Antenna Group Inc., the nation's largest clean technology public relations practice and a Beckerman subsidiary, the firm represents a distinguished roster of more than 100 clients from diverse industry sectors with clean technology, real estate, professional services, public affairs and consumer products comprising its primary practice areas. Beckerman has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Hackensack, N.J.; and San Francisco. To learn more, please call 201-465-8000 or visit www.beckermanpr.com or http://facebook.com/Beckermanpr.

    CONTACT:
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SOURCE Antenna Group