_x000D_ Every year, the Zigbee Alliance holds a member meeting in Europe that includes a week-long collaboration on standards development, strategy discussions, marketing planning, and an all-around good time. These tri-annual meetings are an integral benefit to membership at the Zigbee Alliance, especially since the launch of the Market and Development Track that is open to all levels of membership._x000D_ _x000D_ 
This intense standard development work doesn’t only happen during the three member meetings a year, though. Every day, hundreds of dedicated member company employees spend hours and hours working toward the creation of complete, interoperable standards for the IoT._x000D_ _x000D_ This year, the member meeting was held in Cologne, Germany at TÜV Rheinland’s expansive and welcoming facilities. The members worked intensely for four days, but also took time to enjoy two networking socials and spent several evenings drinking German beer and exploring the famous Cologne Cathedral. Especially exciting, the Alliance presented two prestigious awards during the opening plenary._x000D_ _x000D_ 
Bozena Erdmann, Senior Scientist at Philips, and Ian Winterburn, Solution Architect at Landis and Gyr, were honored with the “Outstanding Contributor Award,†an award reserved for individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty within the Alliance working groups by making many contributions throughout the year as well as effectively moving the consensus process forward._x000D_ _x000D_ “Green Power is a fascinating technical challenge; to have a Zigbee device that operates on an energy budget of a hundred micro Jules, and still have the flexibility to cover the multitude of the possible use cases,†Bozena said when asked about her award. “With the dedicated, enthusiastic group of experts from various companies, whom I’d like to thank for all their contributions and support though all those years, we have solved the puzzle. I hope the market will show that we’ve solved it successfully, and to the success of Zigbee.â€_x000D_ _x000D_ The award states: In recognition of her many years of leadership, editing, and subject matter expertise in Green Power, the Zigbee stack and Zigbee Interop. Contributions in many domains and efforts, all contributing to the forthcoming success of Zigbee 3.0. _x000D_ _x000D_ 
Ian said this about his award, “It was an unexpected but very pleasant surprise. It is always nice when your efforts are recognised and appreciated.â€_x000D_ _x000D_ The award states: In recognition of his leadership and role as Vice Chair and Technical Editor of the PRO-Energy Working Group, and for his tireless efforts and extraordinary commitment to Smart Energy 1.2a and 1.2b work products._x000D_ _x000D_ Congratulations to Bozena and Ian, the Alliance applauds their excellent work on improving Zigbee standards!_x000D_ _x000D_ If you are a Zigbee Alliance member and you missed the member meeting in Europe, it’s not too late! We have opened registration for the member meeting in October. Read more here._x000D_ _x000D_ 