After the conference on Natural Refrigerants drew to a close, we have analysed feedback received from participants. Main findings include: more networking opportunities, a stronger focus on “how” to bring natural refrigerants faster to market, and more time dedicated to each natural working fluid.

During Atmosphere 2009 and after the conference ended on 20 October, we received excellent feedback from participants through personal conversations, emails and the evaluation forms handed in to the organizing team. A thorough analysis of the conference evaluation forms brought new input on how to help not only improve future Atmosphere events but to also help meet the joint target of bringing natural refrigerants “faster to market”.

“Atmosphere 2009 has been well received by a clear majority of participants. What we have seen is that there is a clear need for industry and policy to meet and discuss about how concretely natural refrigerants can be supported. Several participants have now asked us to organise Atmosphere in locations other than Brussels. We are actively looking into this opportunity to bring CO₂, ammonia, and hydrocarbons to other world regions, and spark discussions in developed and developing countries,” says Marc Chasserot, Chairman of Atmosphere 2009.

However, there is room for improvement and following the oral and written feedback received, the following main points mentioned can be extracted:

• Two days format: If we were to organise more Atmosphere events, we will most likely move towards a full two day event without parallel breakout sessions. This will allow all participants to follow all presentations while also providing more time for informal discussions.
• One-to-one meetings: Providing networking rooms for targeted face-to-face meetings between prospective and current partners was mentioned in the evaluation forms and we will surely take that into account for future events.
• Industry-policy workshops: Bringing together industry and legislators in dedicated sessions to concretely discuss the “how” in terms of policy frameworks, finance schemes and technology development is a key to come closer to the overall target of bringing natural refrigerants faster to markets in different applications and world regions.
• Selection processes: A tougher selection process for speakers and a possible selection process for participants – whereby these would have to justify their presence in order to ensure more interactive discussions – are looked into.
• End-users: More involvement from end-users would be needed to evenly represent the whole value chain from research, manufacturing, contracting, consulting, and using.
• Web streaming: To open up Atmosphere to participants not being able to follow discussions live on site, we are considering a live web stream to make discussions more interactive and multiply the effect of concrete outcomes from the event(s).

For any additional feedback, please feel free to contact:

Marc Chasserot
Chairman Atmosphere 2009
marc.chasserot@shecco.com
+32 475 97 2006