BNP Media and The Driller are proud to announce the launch of the Ground2Grid Thermal Energy Summit, the first national event fully dedicated to the lifecycle of Thermal Energy Networks (TENs). Taking place June 15 - 17, 2027, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, Ground2Grid will convene a diverse community of industry pioneers, policymakers, engineers, financiers, developers, drillers, and community stakeholders to forge partnerships and accelerate the clean energy transition.

Unlike traditional conferences that focus on a single sector, Ground2Grid was created to connect the complete lifecycle of geothermal and carbon-neutral heating and cooling systems - from subsurface exploration to final system integration.

Attendees will find a space where technical innovation meets policy alignment, workforce readiness meets investment opportunity, and ideas become infrastructure.

A Summit Built for Real-World Impact

Ground2Grid will feature multiple collaborative tracks tailored to the professionals designing, building, financing, regulating, and deploying Thermal Energy Resources. Each track will include case studies, practical insights, and peer-to-peer learning designed to break down silos and accelerate project delivery.

The summit is strategically located in Rosemont, Illinois, a nationally recognized destination for conventions and business events. Visitors will be just minutes from O’Hare Airport and steps away from hotel, dining, shopping, and entertainment districts including Parkway Bank Park, The Pearl District, and the Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Discounted hotel rates will be available when the hotel block opens in late 2026 or early 2027.

Why Attend Ground2Grid?

Ground2Grid is where planning, design, construction, finance, operations, and community adoption converge in one collaborative space. Whether attendees are breaking ground on new geothermal projects, shaping policy, investing in clean energy infrastructure, or developing workforce pipelines, this summit brings the right people together to move ideas into action.

The summit’s timing aligns with an inflection point in the TEN industry: 

• Federal and state climate policies, including the Inflation Reduction Act and Section 48L, have unlocked billions in funding and tax incentives.
   
• Private equity is entering the market, offering “Energy as a Service” models to scale networks faster.

• The demand for carbon-neutral heating and cooling in both urban and rural communities is at an all-time high.

• Unlike other energy events that silo disciplines, Ground2Grid bridges the gaps across the entire value chain - from borehole drilling and design to financing, operations, and long-term community integration.

Highlights of the Ground2Grid experience include tours of real-world Thermal Energy Network sites around Chicago, offering a close-up look at operating systems and active construction. Inside the convention center, the Learning Theater and exhibit floor will showcase cutting-edge technology, new construction methods, and AI-powered feasibility tools. 

Attendees can also access pre-event webinars, post-show encore sessions, and on-site tracks covering workforce development, thermal energy sources from boreholes to wastewater, policy and incentives, and full project case studies. 

Organizations interested in shaping the future of Thermal Energy Resources are encouraged to inquire about sponsorship or exhibition opportunities.

Exhibitors at Ground2Grid gain the opportunity to:

• Engage engineers, contractors, and developers actively designing and building system
   
• Connect with financial and operational partners driving large-scale adoption
   
• Reach professionals involved in every phase of deployment
   
• Showcase equipment, tools, and innovations that scale geothermal and thermal energy networks
   
• Build meaningful relationships through interactive sessions and networking
   
• Position their organization at the center of the equitable heating and cooling movement

Audience, Exhibits and Sponsorship

Organizers expect 1,200 total participants, including 700 core attendees from mission-critical sectors. The event will feature 100 exhibitors across 15,000+ square feet of display space, providing suppliers and innovators with unmatched access to buyers and decision-makers.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations looking to position themselves at the forefront of TEN adoption and market leadership.

Ground2Grid brings together the doers and decision-makers transforming how communities heat and cool, making it an essential platform for anyone committed to carbon-neutral infrastructure.

Registration opens February 20, 2026, with early bird rates starting at $795 for industry professionals and just $150 for students and nonprofit/community representatives.

Tiered pricing and one-day passes are also available. To learn more about the Ground2Grid Thermal Energy Summit, visit www.ground2grid.com or contact:

Andrea Hanson
Event Manager, BNP Media
847-405-4060
hansona@bnpmedia.com

Chelsea Yordy
Publisher, The Driller
269-550-0059
yordyc@bnpmedia.com

About BNP Media
BNP Media is a leading B2B media company delivering superior content, events, and business solutions for a range of industries including engineering, architecture, HVAC, construction, and sustainability. Ground2Grid is an extension of our commitment to fostering innovation, education, and equitable infrastructure development.