Bluefield Coal Symposium returning this summer

Apr. 18—By CHARLES OWENS

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BLUEFIELD — The Bluefield Coal Symposium is returning to Mercer County.

The two-day event will be held at the Chuck Mathena Center in Princeton on August 12-14, according to the Chamber of Commerce of the Two Virginias.

It is the first Bluefield Coal Symposium to be held in the region since 2018. The symposium isn't to be confused with the biannual Bluefield Coal Show, which is returning in 2025.

Whereas the coal show is a larger industry event, the symposium is more of an industry conference. It will feature smaller tabletop exhibits, speakers and entertainment, according to Jeff Disibbio, President & CEO of the Chamber.

"We are pleased to announce that Bill Reid, founder, President and Managing Editor of CoalZoom.com is chairing the Symposium and has already begun to assemble an outstanding group of preeminent speakers," Disibbio said. "Our aim is to have the coal industry's prominent decision makers dig into the major issues facing coal today, as well as to explore its challenges and opportunities, giving us a peek into the future of the industry."

Disibbio said the Bluefield Coal Symposium has the theme "Using U.S. Coal for a Better America." This national event is jointly presented by the Chamber of Commerce of the Two Virginias and CoalZoom.com.

Dissibo said there will be plenty of room for participants at this summer's symposium at the Chuck Mathena Center, which has a 930-seat theater with state-of-the-art audio and visual capabilities. The CMC is located at 1298 Stafford Drive, Princeton.

A distinguished list of speakers, comprising leaders in the industry from all parts of the country, is being assembled to present their experiences in achieving greater safety and increased productivity in both underground and surface mining, Dissibio said.

The two-day symposium will include three technical sessions, two dinners, and one luncheon along with top-class entertainment with special live performances during the two evenings.

"There will be plenty of time for making new friends and socializing, all against the most picturesque backdrop in the heart of coal country." Dissibio said.

Dissibio said the biannual Bluefield Coal Show also is set to return to Mercer County next year.

"The coal show is very much an industry show that is like business-to-business dealings," he said. "We bring people in who are buyers and sellers and operators. And they look at new stuff that is being produced. It is an industry show. It is sales and it is explaining all of their new tech versus the symposium, which is kind of like a conference."

For further information about the upcoming Bluefield Coal Symposium, please visit CoalZoom.com or call the Chamber at (304) 327-7184.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com. Follow him @BDTOwens