Conferences, in the most general sense, are needed for knowledge exchange, networking, professional development, staying updated, testing your research and receiving feedback from peers, as well as inspiration. Of course, all of this is relevant for conferences in the field of energy research as well. In addition, a conference is a platform for dialogue for various participants of the energy markets, and it is extremely important to preserve dialogue when all channels of communication between Russia and the West are being cut off. We usually imagine a conference as a flow of speakers and topics, but behind every conference there is an idea, a history, and people. Today, we will discuss the idea, history, and people behind the “Energetika XXI” conference with its organizer and founder, Dmitry Vasilenko. Dmitry is the Vice-Rector at the Saint Petersburg State University of Economics (UNECON). The interview was held by Irina Mironova.