Energy conferences, trade fairs and public talks can be brilliant places to learn, or a blur of slides and sales pitches. A little preparation makes all the difference. KBB2 Wind Notes does not organise or sell tickets for events; this page simply shares practical advice and a guide to the Cape Town venues where large gatherings often take place. For dates and programmes, always check the organiser's own announcements.
Before you go
- Decide what you want to learn. Pick two or three questions, such as how grids cope with variable power or how communities benefit from projects, and choose sessions that address them.
- Read the programme critically. Notice who is speaking and who funds the event. Sponsors are normal, but it helps to know whose perspective you are hearing.
- Brush up on the basics. Our Wind Basics and Solar Power Basics pages cover the vocabulary you are likely to hear.
On the day
- Arrive early for popular sessions and sit where you can see the slides clearly.
- Note claims that include numbers, and where they come from, so you can check them later against official sources.
- Use question time to ask about assumptions: what conditions must hold for a projection to come true?
- On exhibition floors, ask suppliers what their equipment does not do well. The answer is often the most useful part of the conversation.
Afterwards
Write up your notes while they are fresh, follow up on sources, and compare what you heard with independent material. Our Resources page has tips on judging reports and statistics.
Cape Town venues for big events
Cape Town has a strong mix of venues for conferences, concerts and shows:
- Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on the Foreshore, opened in June 2003, hosts conferences, exhibitions and expos, and staged the 2010 FIFA World Cup final draw.
- Cape Town Stadium in Green Point, built for the 2010 World Cup, hosts rugby, football and major concerts.
- GrandWest Grand Arena is an indoor arena holding up to 7,000 people for concerts and shows.
- Artscape Theatre Centre and the Baxter Theatre Centre host theatre, music and dance.
- V&A Waterfront and Zeitz MOCAA make good places to unwind after a long day of sessions.
One local tip: if your event falls between late August and March, be ready for the south-easter, known as the Cape Doctor. Bring a jacket that will not blow away.