BOSTON, Mass. — The Virtual Energy Forum will be taking place entirely online, preventing attendees from the expenses and emissions related to driving or flying to a convention center and staying in hotels.

The online-only event, June 10-11, boasts a series of speakers from the political and business world. Attendees will be able to visit a virtual exhibit floor and view virtual booths from more than 30 providers of technology and services.

The Forum will include live chat among attendees and exhibitors. Presentations will also be made live, allowing attendees to ask questions and interact with speakers.

The U.S. EPA has called tradeshows and conventions one of the most wasteful industries, second only to construction. The Forum's organizers estimate that if the event were held in the real world, it would cause the emission of more than 10 million pounds of carbon dioxide from air travel, auto travel and hotel stays.

"There are an estimated 15,000 'green events' currently going on, or upcoming in the near future," said Robert Rosenbloom, CEO of PlatformQ, producer of the Virtual Energy Forum. "Rather than conduct yet another energy-hungry physical event that purports to be 'green', the Virtual Energy Forum will be the first truly energy-efficient, mass gathering on the subject of energy."

Keynote speakers include John Kerry, Newt Gingrich and energy advisors to Barack Obama and John McCain. Businesses that will be represented include HP, Microsoft, Dell, Macy's, Whirlpool and Volvo.

Speakers will share best practices on a range of topics, including corporate sustainability, investing in green energy, energy management best practices, green IT, putting renewable energies to work.