Pellet Fuels Institute Board Lunch

Sponsored by:

Keeneland

Executive Happy Hour

Sponsored by:

The Sway Bar

Pellet Fuels Institute Board Dinner

Louisville Thoroughbred Society

Pellet Fuels Institute Annual Golf Tournament

Covered Bridge Golf Course
Sellersburg, Indiana

Learn More about Covered Bridge Golf Course

Covered Bridge Golf Course
Sellersburg, Indiana

Annual Conference Opening Reception

Sponsored by:

The Spire

Opening Remarks/State of the Sector

Kenny Lisle, Chairman, Pellet Fuels Institute
Tim Portz, Executive Director, Pellet Fuels Institute

Regency Ballroom South

Washington Watchdog: A Regulatory and Policy Update for Wood Pellet Producers

Anytime there is a leadership change in the executive branch, an honest assessment of the opportunities and risks for the sector is prudent. Will the Biden administration offer new opportunities for wood pellet producers via his administration’s climate ambitions? The Trump administration’s promises of regulatory relief were unevenly felt in the broader wood heat sector, with fuel producers experiencing some of the relief they sought while appliance manufacturers were left wanting. This discussion will weigh the risks and opportunities of a new administration with different ambitions and different ideas about the role of federal regulation. 

Charlie Niebling, Lignetics
William Strauss, MBA, PhD, President and Founder, FutureMetrics, LLC

Joining Virtually:

Ryan Carroll, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
Rachel Feinstein, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association

Regency Ballroom South

Networking Break

Sponsored by:

The Mouths We Feed: Assessing Appliance Manufacturer and Retailer Optimism in a Post-Pandemic, New Tax Credit Era

Populated with representatives from appliance manufacturers operating in both appliance manufacturing and appliance retailing, this discussion is a natural extension of the morning’s first conversation. The industry well understands that last year’s appliance sales generate next year’s new demand and this discussion will build off that foundation. The year was notable for its policy victories and the unique market conditions generated by a pandemic and the discussion will address both of those and more. Expect a deep dive on how manufacturers and retailers alike are preparing for and leveraging the wood and pellet appliance tax credit in their businesses. 

Karen Smeltz, Hearth and Home Technologies
Stan Weideman, Wiedeman Heating & Electric
Ross Shultz, Coastal Farm & Ranch
Dan Henry

Regency Ballroom South

Smoke and Mirrors: Why and How the BBQ Market is Reshaping Domestic Wood Pellet Production

BBQ pellet insiders know the meteoric rise of pellet grilling and smoking is an overnight success thirty years in the making. Decades of effort have culminated in an inflection point whereby BBQ pellet appliances and their use have gone mainstream. The demand and opportunity have created opportunities for not only players already in production, but also new participants inspired to look at new fiber streams through the lens of BBQ pellet production.

Jeff Thiessen, Danson's
Alison Snider, Lignetics
Stephen DeVoe, Sr., Fiber Energy Products AR, LLC

Regency Ballroom South

PFI's Annual Conversation with Members about the State of their Business and the Critical Issues Facing them Today

In what has now become the traditional bookend to the PFI Annual Conference program, this panel will feature manufacturer member representatives reacting to the discussions of the day. After hearing about production and sales, the health of our supply chain appliance and retail partners and which way the wind is blowing in Washington D.C. they will hear from the producers participating in the market on a daily basis.  

Brett Jordan, Lignetics
Billy Hoskins, Easy-Heat
Darren Winchester, Indeck-Ladysmith
Stephen Faehner, American Wood Fibers
Tom Plaugher, Appalachian Wood Pellets 

Regency Ballroom South