Date: September 24
Time: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Venue by 4M
Tickets: Early Bird Pricing: $35 (Ends August 23) | Regular Tickets: $50
Ann Arbor SPARK is excited to announce the inaugural Sustainable Future Forum, a new addition to the a2Tech360 event series. This forum, scheduled for September 24 at Venue by 4M, brings together innovators, industry leaders, and community members to explore sustainable solutions and practical applications in green technology.
In partnership with the City of Ann Arbor’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations, the forum will highlight the latest advancements in sustainability and celebrate the companies excelling in green practices as part of the Green Business Challenge. Attendees will gain valuable insights from experts in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies, and discover how global organizations are integrating sustainability into their operations.
The event will spotlight innovation highlights from local companies leading the way in sustainability. These presentations will offer attendees an inside look at the cutting-edge solutions being developed to tackle environmental challenges.
Jennifer Haverkamp, Graham Family Director of the Graham Sustainability Institute at the University of Michigan, will deliver the keynote address. Her extensive experience in sustainability will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the global landscape and the critical role innovation plays in driving sustainable development.
A key highlight of the forum will be a panel discussion moderated by Charlene Zietsma, Max McGraw Professor of Sustainable Enterprise at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. The panel will feature representatives from Wacker Chemical and Sartorius, two global companies that have recently built state-of-the-art, LEED-certified facilities in Ann Arbor. The discussion will explore their ESG strategies, the challenges and successes they have encountered, and how they are building a culture of sustainability beyond green construction practices.
The forum will also serve as a platform to recognize the achievements of local businesses in the Green Business Challenge. This celebration will honor companies that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to adopting and promoting green practices within their operations.
“Ann Arbor SPARK is proud to partner with the City of Ann Arbor on the Green Business Challenge, highlighting the critical intersection of innovation and sustainability,” said Bill Mayer, senior vice president of entrepreneurial services at Ann Arbor SPARK. “Green tech is a rapidly growing sector, and Ann Arbor is ideally positioned to be a leader in this space, thanks to our thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurs, researchers, and forward-thinking companies.”
The Sustainable Future Forum is presented by Ann Arbor SPARK in partnership with the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA) and sponsored by Wacker Chemical Corporation. We are grateful for the support of our other a2Tech360 Marquee Sponsors: University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, DTE Foundation, Kapnick Insurance, Rehmann, and MI-HQ. Their generosity is vital to the success of this event and the entire a2Tech360 series.
For more information about the Sustainable Future Forum, the speaker lineup, and to register for the event, please visit a2Tech360.com.
