Iceland president to speak at AREDay Summit

Iceland President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson is the featured speaker at the upcoming American Renewable Energy Day Summit, set June 19-24 in Snowmass Village.

AREDay organizer American Renewable Energy Institute also announced that Huang Ming, chairman of Himin Solar Company Ltd, China’s largest solar thermal product manufacturer, will return as a speaker at the summit, which traditionally had been held in August.

Other highlighted speakers include oceanographer, Mission Blue Founder and National Geographic explorer-in-residence Sylvia Earle, Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Louis Psihoyos, United Nations Foundation Vice Chair Timothy E. Wirth, Rocky Mountain Institute Chief Scientist Amory Lovins, and Gen. Wesley Clar, among others.

Grímsson is credited for having a major influence on Iceland’s switch to renewable energy. He is an outspoken leader in climate action, encouraging global discussion that positions the economy at the center.

“People come back to AREDay each year because it’s a place for those working for climate change solutions to connect, update one another on new projects, and create alliances,” said AREDay organizer Chip Comins.

The Summit will conclude with a return performance of blues icon Taj Mahal on June 23. The concert takes place on Fanny Hill in Snowmass. AREDay is collaborating with the Snowmass Free Music Series to bring Mahal to Snowmass for the free concert.

A limited number of $250 locals’ passes go on sale at the Wheeler Box Office beginning May 21. Early bird passes cost $795 and must be purchased by June 1. Regularly-priced passes are $1,295. For more information, call 970-930-8002 or visit AREDAY.net.