Launching of Ventus Awards Honoring Offshore Wind Industry Trailblazers

The Business Network for Offshore Wind is launching the Ventus Awards, a first-of-its-kind industry awards program.

The Ventus Awards will be the Network’s highest level of professional recognition, celebrating the trailblazing people, companies, organizations, and work ushering in the global adoption of offshore wind energy. Awards are comprised of ten unique categories designed to honor all contributions and facets of the offshore wind industry. Nominations open Summer 2021 and winners will be announced at the Ventus Awards Gala.

In partnership with Recharge, the Ventus Awards honor those individuals, companies and organizations that embody the powerful force of wind that sets the industry on course for a new and promising future. Be it products, programs, or technology that allow us to harness offshore wind to better the lives of those around us through clean energy, a safer environment, and innovative jobs, the Ventus Awards honor those achievements. Each category (full list below) will be judged by industry luminaries representing the breadth of the offshore wind industry. 

“The Ventus Awards shine a spotlight on those who are making a difference in the world through their talent, drive, and commitment to advancing the offshore wind industry and improving the environment,” said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the Business Network. “Each category highlights an important aspect of industry development that will move the industry forward in exceptional ways.”

The Ventus Awards draws its name from the word essential to the industry: wind. It also refers to the Venti, or Roman Gods for wind – each with their own directional power from north, south, east, and west. The ten categories are: 

• Heronemus Award for Outstanding Achievement in Offshore Wind
• Viterna Award for Engineering Excellence
• Advancement in Project Siting & Development
• Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year
• HSE Program of the Year
• Innovation of the Year
• Next-Gen Leadership
• Offshore Wind Leadership
• Supply Chain Advancement
• Talent Management Leadership

“The Business Network for Offshore Wind’s Ventus Awards – itself a pioneering effort – will provide an important opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of key players and organizations in recent years in advancing the sector this far and the innovation, passion and tenacity shown in doing so,” said Recharge Editor in Chief Darius Snieckus. “Recharge is proud to support this inaugural event with every expectation that it will immediately become a fixture in the industry calendar.”

All Ventus Awards are open to nominations with the exception of the Heronemus Award, which is named after William Heronemus (1920-2002), considered the father of modern wind power. Eligible nominees can apply through an online platform beginning Summer 2021. All completed applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges representing the breadth of the offshore wind industry. Winners will be honored at the Ventus Awards Gala, a black-tie event taking place in Washington D.C. on November 18 at the Schuyler Hotel. Tickets and table reservations will be available in late August. 

“The Business Network’s Ventus Awards Gala celebrates the leaders and innovators that inspire the offshore wind energy industry with ingenuity and identifies the next generation of leaders providing confidence in offshore wind,” added Burdock. “The inaugural event will provide industry peers and colleagues an evening to gather together to share in the growth, achievements, and excellence in our industry.”