North America’s Leading SAF & Aviation Decarbonization Event Kicks Off in Houston Tomorrow
The much-anticipated Sustainable Aviation Futures North America event will open tomorrow in Houston, Texas, running from October 2 to 4 at the Marriott Marquis. Bringing together more than 700 senior leaders and industry experts, the event is set to feature a robust lineup of 170+ expert speakers from across the aviation and energy sectors. With 40+ hours of content, including panel discussions, keynotes, and interactive workshops, the congress will focus on crucial topics such as SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), regulatory frameworks, and the latest developments in decarbonization technologies for aviation.
A Crucial Moment for SAF Projects
As the U.S. continues to lead in SAF project announcements and a growing number of SAF offtake agreements are being secured, the congress arrives at a pivotal moment for the industry. The event will explore how SAF production can be scaled to meet the ambitious targets of the SAF Grand Challenge, aiming to cover 100% of U.S. jet fuel demand by 2050. Discussions will focus on reducing carbon emissions in aviation, regulatory compliance, and the role of sustainable finance in growing the SAF market.
“This congress brings together key players from across the aviation and energy sectors to drive real change in the scaling of SAF and the future of aviation decarbonization.”
— Simon Newitt, President, Heart Aerospace
Key Topics to Be Covered
- Regulatory frameworks across North America, focusing on the Book and Claim standardization for SAF.
- The financial challenges of scaling SAF production and the pivotal role of sustainable finance.
- Updates to the GREET model for SAF feedstock approval, with insights into life cycle analysis and carbon intensity (CI) considerations.
- Advances in hydrogen, hybrid, and electric aircraft technologies, and their impact on aviation decarbonization efforts.
A Stellar Lineup of Speakers
This year’s event will feature influential leaders from across the aviation and energy sectors, including:
- Simon Newitt, President of Heart Aerospace, overseeing the commercialization of sustainable aircraft.
- Christine Bassitt, General Manager for Shell Aviation Americas, managing Shell’s aviation decarbonization strategy.
- Erin Cooke, Sustainability Director at San Francisco Airport (SFO), leading SAF and zero-waste initiatives.
- Elvis Ebikade, Ph.D., Senior Sustainable Fuels Consultant at Southwest Airlines, focusing on SAF opportunities and aviation policy.
- Kirk A. Phillips, Director at the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance, showcasing the U.S. military’s integration of SAF.
- Courtney Unruh, SAF & Sustainability Engagement Director at Alaska Air, driving SAF engagement and collaboration.
- Valerie Reed, Director at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, leading bioenergy research and SAF initiatives.
- Kevin Welsh, Vice President of Environment and Chief Sustainability Officer at Airlines for America, contributing to aviation sustainability strategies.
Houston: The Heart of SAF Discussions
As the energy capital of the U.S., Houston provides the perfect setting for this event. Held at the Marriott Marquis, the event offers attendees the chance to engage in high-level networking, gain insights from industry-leading speakers, and explore the latest advancements in SAF and decarbonization. The SAF Intelligence Day will offer deeper analysis into SAF supply chains, regulatory policies, and the future of aviation sustainability.
What to Expect at SAF North America
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions on:
- Scaling the SAF industry to meet increasing demand.
- Developing regulatory frameworks to support SAF market growth.
- Collaboration across the aviation value chain, from fuel producers to airlines.
- The role of hydrogen and electric aircraft in future aviation strategies.
The congress serves as a crucial milestone for aviation and energy stakeholders working together to accelerate SAF adoption and aviation decarbonization.
Source: SAF Congress