NHA Gala Celebrates a Decade

By Robert L. Mauro, Executive Vice President, National Hydrogen Association

The 10th anniversary of the U.S. Hydrogen Meeting was celebrated at a gala held by the NHA at its 1999 annual meeting. More than 150 proponents of hydrogen attended the event.

The festivities began with a reception, followed by dinner, during which NHA President Jeff Serfass made a champagne toast to what the NHA has accomplished and still needs to do to reach its full potential. After dessert, Serfass recounted the beginning of the NHA and named individuals who had served as president in the past.

He particularly pointed out the importance of Senator Matsunaga and the passage of his energy act in 1990 as the event that put the need for a hydrogen R&D plan on the U.S. Department of Energy’s “radar screen.” He also praised the creation of HTAP, and how U.S. Congressman Walker took up the hydrogen banner after Senator Matsunaga passed away. Rep. Walker sponsored the Hydrogen Future Act, which brought ever higher levels of federal authorizations.

Addison Bain introduced a short video created by the NHA for the gala. The video shows U.S. Senator Tom Harkin supporting Dr. Bain’s efforts at dispelling safety myths pertaining to hydrogen’s role in the downing of the Hindenburg.

Dr. Addison Bain introduced the NHA video on his research shown at the gala.
William R. Booth of War Paint Brand Directions then addressed the crowd. “How do you get consumers to want hydrogen-powered products?” he asked. “You create demand by marketing it.” He stressed the importance of “branding,” which he called both rational and emotional. “The five dimensions of great brands,” he said, “are understanding, differentiating, involving, delivering, and creating relationships.

“Hydrogen needs to be a brand for success,” Booth concluded.

Jay Laskin, the newly elected Chairman of the NHA Board of Directors, presented awards to individuals and one organization that performed outstanding service to the hydrogen community. The awardees were:

Merit Academy students, who constructed and operated a PEM fuel cell at the meeting, were presented certificates of appreciation.

NHA President Jeff Serfass toasts both the accomplishments of the NHA and its future at its 10th anniversary gala.
Bob Mauro, the NHA’s Executive Vice President, then made brief comments about the future direction of the NHA.

“We know where we are going and are rapidly creating a path to our destination,” said Mauro. He compared NHA members to missionaries, “spreading the word to the energy community, the public, and government.” He concluded that energy security, local air pollution, and climate change are the drivers behind the growing use of hydrogen.

The final speaker of the evening, Chris Flavin, Senior Vice President for Research at the WorldWatch Institute, believes that there is much to be done on climate change. “The U.S. is resistant to the Kyoto Accords,” he stated, “but these Accords are inadequate to meet our needs with respect to climate change.” Hydrogen is a solution that addresses these concerns, he said. “It is important to get the word about hydrogen out to policy makers and the public. We all must redouble our efforts to find acceptable solutions to climate change. Climate change will not be solved quickly.”

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