Join thought-leaders from government, industry, and academics at “GW Moving the Planet Forward” on April 17 from 1-6, a symposium to highlight solutions to the challenges of a changing planet. The half-day conference will also highlight “Innovation Challenges” offered by participants to demonstrate their commitment to moving the planet forward.

Come learn about the latest research in climate, energy and sustainability, and gain fresh insight into how companies and individuals are finding solutions that turn "innovation into action." Plus, you will be able to network with thought leaders in the field.

The event is a co-production of the GW Office of Sustainability and GW’s Planet Forward project, both of which are components of a campus-wide sustainability initiative.

Register now!

Speakers

Frank Sesno, Host


Frank Sesno is the host and founder of Planet Forward.

Tommy Battle


Mayor, Huntsville, AL

Aneesh Chopra


Former Chief Technology Officer of the United States

Vincent Gray


Mayor, Washington DC

Doug Guthrie


Dean, School of Business, The George Washington University

Robert Hefner


Founder and owner of The GHK Companies, an Oklahoma-based natural gas and oil firm and author of The Grand Energy Transition.

Megan Hughes


Reporter, Bloomberg Television.

Reed Hundt


CEO of the Coalition for Green Capital

Melissa Keeley


Assistant Professor, Geography and Public Policy and Public Administration and Interim Director, Environmental Studies Program, at the George Washington University

Steven Knapp


President, The George Washington University

Alex Laskey


President and Founder, Opower

Mark Mallory


Mayor, Cincinnati, OH

Retired Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn


President of the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE)

Andrew Revkin


Senior Fellow, Pace University, New York Times blogger (Photo credit: World Science Festival)

Debra Rowe


Professor, Oakland Community College

Mayo Shattuck


Executive Chairman, Exelon Corporation

Mark L. Vachon


Vice President, GE Ecomagination

Deborah Wince Smith


President & CEO of the Council on Competitiveness

Agenda

Print a PDF

1 - 1:20 pm
 Welcome and Kick-off Conversation

Welcome from Steven Knapp, President, The George Washington University
Kick-off conversation between Aneesh Chopra, Former U.S. Chief Technology Officer and Frank Sesno, Founder and Host, Planet Forward

1:20 - 2 pm
There’s an App for that: Can IT Save the Planet?

Data has transformed every aspect of our lives, but is only starting to impact the sustainability landscape. What are the challenges? What are the opportunities? Where do people fit in this data-driven future? If you’re thinking this is just about Smart meters, that’s just the beginning...

Moderator: Megan Hughes, Reporter, Bloomberg TV
Guests: Aneesh Chopra, Former U.S. Chief Technology Officer
Mayo Shattuck, Executive Chairman, Exelon
Alex Laskey, Co-Founder, Opower

2:10 - 2:30 pm
 Innovating the Sustainable Economy: How Business Can Lead the way

Governments can be slow and often unresponsive. Politics are polarizing and often counter-productive. But innovation is taking place, often at breathtaking speed. How is business leading the way? And is it sustainable -- or just the latest fad?

A conversation between Mark Vachon, Vice President, GE Ecomagination and Frank Sesno, Founder and Host, Planet Forward

2:30 - 2:50 pm
 Where are the Jobs?

Top experts tell us how the US can stay competitive, how policy can help match job-seekers to jobs and what skills are most needed in the clean tech economy.

Moderator: Doug Guthrie, Dean, GW School of Business
Guests:Deborah Wince Smith, President, Council on Competitiveness
Debra Rowe, President, U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development

3:20 - 4:20 pm
 Shining Cities: Sustainability
Starts at Home

As international treaties and federal policy-making stall, cities are taking the initiative, fostering innovation and fueling competition, all in the interest of adapting to climate change. The impacts of a changing planet aren’t theoretical for these leaders. For them, it’s adapt, innovate or watch their city’s future die.

Moderator: Frank Sesno, Founder and Host, Planet Forward
Vincent Gray, Mayor, Washington, D.C.
Mark Mallory, Mayor, Cincinnati, OH
Tommy Battle, Mayor, Huntsville, AL
Steven Knapp, President, The George Washington University
Melissa Keeley, Assistant Professor of Geography, The George Washington University

4:30 - 5:15 pm
 Renewables: Boom
or Bust?

Solar panels and windmills have always been the visual symbols of a more sustainable future, but are they still the tools we’ll use to get there? What’s the future of the industry in the wake of Solyndra, plummeting natural gas prices and ever-climbing demand for grid-connected power? Is the new frontier based in finance more than the laboratory? Renewables: Boom or Bust?

Moderator: Andrew Revkin, Blogger, The New York Times
Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn (Ret.), President, American Council on Renewable Energy
Reed Hundt, Chief Executive Officer, Coalition for Green Capital
Robert Hefner, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The GHK Companies

5:15 - 6 pm
 Moving the Planet Forward: The Next Generation

Closing.
Join us for refreshments and delectibles.

Innovation Challenges

What's your #InnovationChallenge? We challenge you to make a difference in your daily life. Is this the year you install a rain barrel and use less water? Are you going to save your company energy and money by linking your building to its neighbors or do an energy makeover on your house? Planet Forward members have done it...can you?

At the conference, Planet Forward will highlight participants who demonstrate a clear commitment to sustainability and turning innovation into action. These participants will challenge themselves to meet a tangible goal in the next year that the Planet Forward community will follow online and on TV.

A local NGO may announce a new program to promote energy efficiency; a company could unveil a new green initiative with goals for measurable impact, GW could set an enrollment goal for their sustainability program. Register and find out!

You can participate now by submitting your #InnovationChallenge. Just tweet using the hashtag, #InnovationChallenge and your challenge could be featured at our conference!

Innovation Dialogues

In conjunction with this flagship event, a series of Innovation Dialogues will be held across the university. More Innovation Dialogues will be added soon. Stay tuned for updates.

March
20

Symposium: The Clean Water Act at 40 Learn more

March
22

Film: Biophilic Design: The Architecture of Life Learn more

March
26

Seminar: An Appetite for Baby Food Learn more

March
26

Seminar: Exploring the locus of Greentech Innovation - Professor Michael Lenox Learn more

March
27

Conference: Environmental Protection and Human Rights Learn more

April
19

Seminar: An Appetite for Green Beans Learn more

April
30

Seminar: An Appetite for Couscous Learn more

Sponsorship Information

Platinum Sponsor

  • Top sponsorship of GW Moving the Planet Forward  conference and all salons
  • 15 VIP tickets to keynote event
  • VIP sponsor ribbons for your attendees
  • 2 parking passes for conference
  • Logo displayed at all Planet Forward events
  • Logo in all Planet Forward press and publicity materials, including program booklet for conference where you will be listed as a “platinum” sponsor
  • Logo featured on home page of Planet Forward and event website for one year
  • Video streaming of conference available for sponsor distribution

Gold Sponsor

  • Sponsorship of GW Moving the Planet Forward conference keynote event
  • 10 VIP tickets to keynote event
  • VIP sponsor ribbons for your attendees
  • 2 parking passes for conference
  • Logo in all Planet Forward press and publicity materials, including program booklet for conference where you will be listed as a “gold” sponsor
  • Non-exclusive sponsorship of a Planet Forward salon
  • Invitations to all Planet Forward salons
  • Logo featured on home page of Planet Forward and event website for one year

Silver Sponsor

  • Sponsorship of one GW Moving the Planet Forward conference panel discussion
  • 5 VIP tickets to keynote event
  • 1 parking pass for conference
  • Logo on signage and materials as a funding supporter at all Planet Forward events, including program booklet for conference where you will be listed as a “silver” sponsor
  • Non-exclusive sponsorship of a Planet Forward salon
  • Invitations to all Planet Forward salons
  • Logo featured on home page of Planet Forward and event website for six months

Bronze Sponsor

  • Sponsorship of Planet Forward coffee break
  • 5 VIP tickets to keynote event
  • 1 parking pass for conference
  • Logo on signage and materials as a funding supporter at all Planet Forward events, including program booklet for conference where you will be listed as a “bronze” sponsor
  • Invitations to Planet Forward salons
  • Logo featured on home page of Planet Forward and event website for six months

Supporting Sponsor

  • Sponsorship of one Innovation Dialogue during the GW Moving the Planet Forward event series
  • Logo on signage and materials as a funding supporter at all Planet Forward events, including program booklet for conference where you will be listed as a general sponsor
  • Logo featured on home page of Planet Forward and event  website for three months

Contact

  • Laura Frugé – Director of Development, School of Media and Public Affairs
  • lauraf@gwu.edu | 202-994-9169
  • Donna Williams – Assistant Director, Corporate Relations Division of Development and Alumni Relations
  • dmw@email.gwu.edu | 202-994-8226
Donate

Location Details

Getting around DC

We encourage you to travel to the event via low-carbon options. The George Washington University is located close to the Foggy Bottom and Farragut North Metros as well as numerous bus lines. There is also a bike share station across the street, as well as convenient access to bike trails that can bring you from all over the city. Parking is limited, if you do need to drive.

Jack Morton Auditorium
School of Media and Public Affairs
The George Washington University

Join the Conversation

Use the hashtag: #gwmoving

The conference will be livestreamed at gwmoving.planetforward.org/livestream. Register now to get a reminder!

Blog

Former White House CTO Aneesh Chopra to Join Top Public and Private Leaders in Sustainability Innovation at GW

March 27, 2012

Join thought-leaders from government, industry, and academics at “GW Moving the Planet Forward,” a symposium to highlight solutions to the challenges of a changing planet. The half-day conference will also highlight “Innovation Challenges” offered by participants to demonstrate their commitment to moving the planet forward. Learn More