The Energy Conversation: Round Four

**Thursday, Nov 5 · 5:30–7:30 PM · Embark Coworking, Bend**

**$35 · food and drinks included**

## Details

Three rooms in, and something is taking shape beyond the gatherings themselves.

EDCO, OSU-Cascades' Energy Innovation Center, Bend Climate Collective, and What the Tech, Bend? are coming together around a shared ambition: less fragmentation, more energy companies growing in Central Oregon, and more desirable jobs that keep talented people building here. It's still forming. Round four is where we start talking about it out loud.

Jim Huston of E8 Angels headlines with a reverse pitch. Instead of founders pitching an investor, the investor pitches the room: what E8 is looking for and where it sees opportunity. Pete Lumley flies in from Houston with Mazama Energy's update on geothermal at Newberry Volcano, and Robert Shear of the Oregon Wildfire Innovation Lab shares how grant funding is being directed toward wildfire innovation.

This is the first Energy Conversation open to anyone.

## What to Expect

- **A reverse pitch**: Jim Huston on what investors want to see from Central Oregon.

- **Four lightning talks**: geothermal, wildfire innovation, capital, and one slot chosen from the community.

- **Curated introductions** before and after the talks, so you walk in knowing exactly who you should meet and why.

- **Food and drinks** while the conversations keep going.

- **A room where serious work happens** in an unserious setting.

## Run of Show

- **5:30 PM**: Doors open, food and drinks, first round of curated introductions

- **6:00 PM**: Lightning talks begin with Jim Huston's reverse pitch

- **7:00 PM**: Curated introductions and networking

- **7:30 PM**: Close

## The Curation is the Differentiator

We use a matching algorithm that reads each attendee's answers on the attendee list to surface the three most valuable connections for each person in the room. Everyone walks in knowing who they should talk to and why. No awkward cold networking. More intentional, productive conversations.

After you buy your ticket, we'll send you a link to the attendee list. Add your row. Specific answers get strong matches. Vague answers or no answers get weak ones.

Your three introductions land in your inbox the day of the event.

### Pitch a Lightning Talk

Three slots are set. One is open to anyone in the room. Submit a topic here: forms.gle/jsyCbeT7x8i5EXcY7

These are insight-sharing, not sales: a recent learning, a shift you're seeing in the industry, a problem you've wrestled with. If you've got something worth five minutes and this room's attention, put it forward.

## The Speakers

**Jim Huston**, Board VP and Co-Chair, E8 Angels

**Pete Lumley**, Communications Director, Mazama Energy

**Robert Shear**, Founder, Oregon Wildfire Innovation Lab (OWIL)

**One more speaker to be announced.** Submit a topic: forms.gle/jsyCbeT7x8i5EXcY7

## This Room Was Shaped By

- **Rita Hansen**, Innovation Director, EDCO

- **Zac Taie**, Executive Director, Energy Innovation Center at OSU-Cascades

- **Annie Nichols**, Founder & President, Bend Climate Collective

- **Robert Cross**, Cross Consulting; Co-Organizer, The Great Transformation

- **Robert Schluter**, Co-Founder, Element 1

- **Skip Newberry**, President & CEO, Technology Association of Oregon

## Why Attend

- Hear directly from an investor what it takes to get funded from Central Oregon

- Get a firsthand update on geothermal activity at Newberry Volcano

- Learn where wildfire innovation funding is headed

- Walk away with three targeted introductions to the people most relevant to what you're working on

- Be part of the collaboration that keeps putting Bend on the energy map

## Who Should Attend

This event is for people doing meaningful work across the energy and climate ecosystem: power generation, transmission, and distribution; geothermal, solar, wind, storage, and hydrogen; microgrids, grid software, and utilities; wildfire and climate resilience; energy policy; cleantech founders and investors; and advisors to all of the above.

Titles matter less than depth of experience, quality of perspective, and willingness to engage honestly.

## Tickets

**$35**, includes food and drinks.

All sales are final. Tickets are transferable anytime.

If we sell out, join the waitlist on Ticket Tailor and we'll email you if a seat opens.

### Need a break on ticket price?

Whether you're between jobs, a student or have your own good reason, we've got you covered. Contact John McMahon at jpmcmahon@gmail.com to learn about our flex ticket program.

## Venue

Embark Coworking

2843 NW Lolo Dr, Bend, OR 97703

Thanks to Embark Coworking, our venue partner.

## Know Before You Go

- **Parking**: Use the lot on the north side of the building. Street parking if it fills.

- **Entrance**: North side of the building.

- **Arrive by 5:45 PM** to catch your first round of introductions before the talks start at 6.

## Partners & Sponsors

Thank you to **EDCO** and **E8 Angels** for sponsoring this room.

**Presented by**… your company?

Our sponsors don't buy ads. They become part of the community. If getting in a room with Central Oregon's senior energy operators, founders, and investors sounds like your kind of thing, let's talk: jpmcmahon@gmail.com.

## About What the Tech, Bend?

What the Tech, Bend? is Central Oregon's premier tech community — 1,000 members strong, with an average of 15+ years of professional experience. We host curated events that bring together the region's most experienced builders, operators, and advisors. Bend is the mountain town where serious work happens in an unserious setting.

## What's Next

Get every WTT event in your inbox: wearewhatthetech.com

**Three introductions, four talks, and a clearer view of where Central Oregon’s energy future is headed.**