National climate resilience expert Beth Gibbons, Director of the Washtenaw County Resiliency Office, will headline the Sustainable Future Forum on Monday, September 29, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Venue by 4M in Ann Arbor.
Part of Ann Arbor SPARK’s a2Tech360 event series, the Sustainable Future Forum convenes entrepreneurs, researchers, and community leaders to explore how technology, business, and policy can drive a greener, more resilient economy.
Gibbons, an Ypsilanti native and a lead author of the 5th National Climate Assessment, will share insights on climate adaptation trends, the role of local policy in shaping resilient communities, and how sustainability planning can create new opportunities for growth.
Program Highlights
- Finding Balance: Economic Development while Building Sustainable Communities — Leaders from DTE Energy, Atwell, LimnoTech, and CEDAM will discuss how job creation, infrastructure, and investment can be aligned with environmental and social goals.
- Closing the Loop: EV Battery Circularity in Practice — Experts from the University of Michigan, the Center for Automotive Research, and Norway-based ECO STOR will examine how repurposing, reusing, and recycling EV batteries reduces environmental impact and creates economic value.
- Green Business Challenge Recognition — Companies including Zingerman’s Roadhouse, Wacker Chemical, and OrbAid will share strategies and successes in reducing carbon footprints and embedding sustainable practices into daily operations.
- Innovation Spotlights — Presentations from Heat2Power, THRIVE Collaborative, APT Solar, and the Sustainability & Innovation Meetup.
“Ann Arbor is a place where business success and sustainability go hand in hand,” said Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. “Our region is home to world-class research, innovative startups, and community leaders who understand that solving environmental challenges is also a driver of economic growth. The Sustainable Future Forum reflects what sets Ann Arbor apart — a commitment to building an economy that thrives today while ensuring a resilient future.”
Event Details
Monday, September 29, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Venue by 4M, 1919 S Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor
Tickets: $50 general admission, $35 students
Register: a2Tech360.com/events/sustainable-future-forum-2025
The Sustainable Future Forum is presented by Ann Arbor SPARK as part of the a2Tech360 series, with support from Destination Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan’s Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, and Wacker, in collaboration with the City of Ann Arbor and the Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA).
