By Gabriela Ornelas, Energized by Edison Writer

After nearly two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, walking among more than a thousand exhibits at the World Ag Expo was a long-awaited return to community interaction for Joel and Ethan Munoz.

This year, theannual three-day event at Tulare’s International Agri-Center returned达到面对面的格式。该行业最大的贸易展览会平均汇集了全球100,000个农业业务和爱好者，以首先了解最新的技术，设备和技术。

“Every year, I take the day, and I take my son, and we play hooky to attend the Expo,” said Joel Munoz, director of operations at Pixley Union Elementary School District. “I like looking at all the new equipment that’s coming out, the new tech, anything that’s facilities related that can help the [school district] be a little more energy efficient.”

Southern California Edison has been a sponsor and exhibitorfor more than 30 years. Visitors to the expo engaged in activities that focused on SCE’s public safety measures, vegetation management, business and residential customer programs and services, and the move toward electrification through itsCharge Ready programs and Pathway 2045 goals.

“The World Ag Expo is a key event in the community, and it allows us to engage with our business customers and those we haven’t connected with before,” said Mike Marelli, vice president of SCE’s Business Customer Division. “Raising awareness about the services and programs we offer to the farming community not only supports their business projects but helps advance our clean energy goals in the Central Valley and beyond.”

为了帮助访客以新的方式与清洁能源互动，SCE首次亮相“Clean Energy Smart Home,” a virtual reality journey brought to lifewith an Oculus headset and hand-held controllers. During the 20-minute activity, visitors are guided through a virtual home and tasked with making it more energy efficient, including sealing air leaks, switching to electric vehicles and induction cooking. The goal of the experience is to empower community members with the knowledge and tools to reduce their carbon footprint and increase their energy savings.

The virtual reality exhibit will soon be available online and on a mobile app. But for some, the appeal of in-person, interactive activities and speaking one-on-one with representatives is what makes the expo irreplaceable.

“The public works department relies on SCE for almost all of its energy needs, so I always make a point to visit the SCE booth,” said Tim Doyle, assistant director of Tulare’s Public Works Department. “It was nice talking to those at SCE that I have gotten to know over the years and having them reach out for an appointment to review accounts, talk about potential saving opportunities and rebates, which I look forward to.”

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