Registration, Breakfast and Networking
Sponsored by: Greektown Casino-Hotel
Detroit Experience Hall
Refreshment Break
Complimentary copies of “Streetfight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution” by Janette Sadik-Khan are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sponsored by: ITC
Detroit Experience Hall
Concurrent Sessions
Detroit’s Resurgence: Philanthropy’s Leading Role
The philanthropic community played a significant role in Detroit’s resurgence from bankruptcy. Through contributions to projects, initiatives and programs, the philanthropic community stimulated both business and community development throughout the city. This session examines if this is a sustainable model and how the business community can take a broader role in implementation.
Panelists:
David Egner, President and CEO, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
Katy Locker, Detroit Program Director, Knight Foundation
Faye Nelson, Vice President, DTE Energy; Board Chair and President, DTE Energy Foundation
Chris Uhl, Vice President, Community Investments, Rock Ventures
Moderator: Nolan Finley, Editorial Page Editor, The Detroit News
Sponsored by: DTE Energy Foundation
Location: Room 1
Skills Wanted: Building Detroit’s Talent
A skilled workforce is vital for strong, sustainable and balanced growth. With companies moving to the region and a multitude of new projects underway the Detroit area is experiencing healthy job growth. This session highlights initiatives and organizations providing Detroiters with the skills to fill the high-demand jobs.
Panelists:
Marcus Jones, President, Detroit Training Center
Dannis Mitchell, Diversity Manager, Barton Malow Co.
Damien Rocchi, Founder and CEO, Grand Circus
Moderator: Dave Meador, Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer, DTE Energy
Sponsored by: DTE Energy Foundation
Location: Room 2
Urban Mobility Solutions: Innovating Transportation
Reliable transit is essential to remaining competitive as a region. However, recent setbacks have not stopped the city’s growth on the mobility front. This session will outline how innovative transportation methods are creating opportunities for Detroiters and takes a closer look at the practicality of urban mobility solutions.
Panelists:
Elliot Darvick, General Manager, Lyft Detroit
Mark de la Vergne, Chief of Mobility Innovation, City of Detroit
Lisa Nuszkowski, Founder and Executive Director, Detroit Bike Share
Moderator: Chad Livengood, Senior Reporter, Crain’s Detroit Business
Sound Board
Lunch
Pick up a boxed lunch in the Detroit Experience hall and return to the Sound Board to find a seat for the lunch session.
General Session
Strengthening Detroit: Partners in Economic Development
Growing Detroit from the inside out, the Detroit city government and leading business organizations are partners in executing an impactful economic development strategy. This session will discuss initiatives underway, challenges and opportunities on the horizon to increase business investment and create opportunities for all Detroiters. From downtown to the neighborhoods, city government and business leaders are spearheading strategies to ensure sustainable economic growth.
Panelists:
Maurice Cox, Planning Director, City of Detroit
Brenda Jones, President, Detroit City Council
Justin Robinson, Vice President, Business Attraction, Detroit Regional Chamber
Moddie Turay, Executive Vice President, Real Estate and Financial Services, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
Moderator: Stephen Henderson, Editorial Page Editor, Detroit Free Press
Sound Board
Refreshment Break
Sponsored by: ITC
Detroit Experience Hall
Concurrent Sessions
Farm to Table: Detroit’s Food Economy
Facing a changing urban landscape and lack of fresh food access, Detroiters found a solution in creating a local food economy. Urban farms and neighborhood gardens are providing locally sourced fresh ingredients to residents and restaurants in the city, turning Detroit into a culinary hotspot for foodies. This session will explore Detroit’s food landscape and the opportunities spurring from the growing access to fresh food.
Panelists:
Devita Davison, Director, FoodLab Detroit
Marc Djozlija, Proprietor and Executive Chef, Wright and Co.
Tyson Gersh, President and Founder, Michigan Urban Farming Initiative
Moderator: Dan Carmody, President, Eastern Market Corporation
Location: Room 2
Social Entrepreneurship: Purpose-Driven Business
Drawing on its roots, Detroit has once again become a hub of entrepreneurial activity – a rising form of this being the idea that innovation goes beyond generating revenue. This session will explore social entrepreneurship and how triple bottom line entrepreneurs are doing good for both business and the community.
Panelists:
Jason Hall, Co-founder, Slow Roll Detroit
Amy Peterson, Co-founder and CEO, Rebel Nell
Marlowe Stoudamire, Owner, Butterfly Effect Detroit; Founder, Mash Detroit
Moderator: Vickie Thomas, Reporter, WWJ Newsradio 950
Room 1
Refreshment Break
Sponsored by: ITC
Detroit Experience Hall
The District Detroit: Connecting Neighborhoods and Businesses
The District Detroit is a dynamic entertainment district comprised of six world-class theatres, five neighborhoods and three professional sports venues. The project is expected to deliver $2.1 billion in economic impact for the city, region and state. This session will include key partners who play an integral role in the project, who will discuss the overall impact and how it has led to new opportunities for businesses and the surrounding community.
Panelists:
Christopher Ilitch, President and CEO, Ilitch Holdings Inc.
Douglass Diggs, President and CEO, The Diggs Group LLC
Elmer Dixon, President and CEO, Dixon Inc.
Thomas McGrail, Executive Vice President, Motor City Electric Co.
Moderator: Rhonda Walker, Anchor, WDIV TV 4, NBC
Sponsored by: MotorCity Casino Hotel
Sound Board
Panel Discussion
Inclusive Development: Impacts of a Prosperous Downtown
Detroit is undergoing a record amount of new development as evident by the countless projects announced and underway. At the heart of Detroit’s revitalization are questions about inclusion and shared opportunity beyond downtown. Leading private sector developers in this session will explore the economic impact of new development projects and the value these projects can bring to all of Detroit’s residents.
Panelists:
Roger Basmajian, Founder and President, Basco of Michigan Inc.
Peter Cummings, Founder, Ram; Co-founder, The Platform
Sonya Mays, President and CEO, Develop Detroit
Moderator: Dennis Archer Jr., President, Archer Corporate Services; CEO, Ignition Media Group
Sound Board
Networking Reception
Sponsored by: Wayne County Community College District
Detroit Experience Hall
Departure
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