2014 Agenda

Candy Chang, TED Senior Fellow; Urban Space Artist and Designer

M. Roy Wilson, President, Wayne State University

John Gallagher, Business Writer, Detroit Free Press

Detroiters with unique perspectives will inform and motivate attendees to take action in Detroit’s revitalization by sharing their stories.

The City Speaks: Revitalizing Detroit’s Neighborhoods
An economically thriving Detroit requires more than a prosperous downtown financial sector; it calls for connected and vibrant neighborhoods. The panel will explore the opportunities and challenges within Detroit neighborhoods and discuss strategies for creating synergy between downtown and neighborhoods.

Panel:
James Craig, Chief of Police, Detroit Police Department
Maggie DeSantis, President, Warren/Conner Development Coalition
Benjamin Kennedy, Deputy Director, Community Development and Detroit Program, The Kresge Foundation
Bill Pulte, Founder and Chairman, Detroit Blight Authority

Moderator: Stephen Henderson, Editorial Page Editor, Detroit Free Press

Breaking the Mold: The Entrepreneur’s Business Plan
Innovation is a means of survival for any entrepreneur or startup. The panel will elaborate on the value of non-traditional methods for the continued growth of small business, and the importance of utilizing innovative resources to combat barriers and overcome obstacles to success.

Panel:
Dave Anderson, Co-Founder, Bamboo Detroit
Jeff Aronoff, Executive Director, D:hive
Phil Cooley, Co-Owner, Slows Bar BQ
Maria LaLonde, Recruiting and Development Leader, Bizdom

Moderator: Spencer Olinek, Business Development Manager, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation

The Detroit Investment: The Smart Bet
With unrivaled assets throughout the region, Detroit is a smart bet for investors with countless development opportunities. Building on regional assets, the city is poised to capitalize from the transformative power of strategic urban development. This panel explores the investment opportunities in a city experiencing a dramatic transformation.

Panel:
George Jackson Jr., President and CEO, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
Eric Larson, President and CEO, Larson Realty Group
Tom Wilson, President and CEO, Olympia Entertainment
Sommer Woods, Director of External Relations, M-1 Light Rail

Moderator: Dennis Archer Jr., Founding Principal and President, Archer Corporate Services

Thomas Sugrue, David Boies Professor of History and Sociology, University of Pennsylvania

Rethinking Regionalism: The Collaborative Way Forward
Now more than ever, regional cooperation is a critical component to Michigan’s success, as collaboration elevates sustainability, creates business opportunities and fosters a creative and innovative environment. The panel will lead a discussion on the opportunities that lie ahead to build trust in addressing shared problems and moving the city and region forward together.

Panel:
Sheila Cockrel, President and CEO, Crossroads Consulting Group; Former Councilwoman, City of Detroit
Mark Hackel, County Executive, Macomb County
Kurt Metzger, Mayor, City of Pleasant Ridge
Paul Tait, Executive Director, Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments

Moderator: Sandy Baruah, President and CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber

Partnering for Success:  Small Business Resources in the D
Accessing business resources and support programs can be the difference between success and failure for start-ups; as obstacles to growth, such as lack of capital, exist in every economic climate or city. This panel of entrepreneurs will shed light on the organizations and assets available to help small businesses overcome challenges and thrive in Detroit.

Panel:
Elias Khalil, Owner and General Manager, La Feria
Saundra Little, Founding Partner, Centric Design Studio
Tammy Tedesco, President and CEO, Edibles Rex
Espy Thomas, Owner, Sweet Potato Sensations

Moderator: Evette Hollins, Urban Initiatives Manager, Detroit Regional Chamber

Open for Business:  The Diversification of Detroit’s Industry
A robust and globally competitive Detroit will require the growth of a diverse set of industries. Representatives from various business sectors will discuss why Detroit is a hotbed for business and why now is a great time for investing in the city and region.

Panel:
Dan Carmody, President, Eastern Market Corporation
Linglong He, CIO, Quicken Loans
Lorron James, Vice President, Business Affairs, James Group International
Tricia Keith, Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Frank Venegas Jr., Chairman and CEO, Ideal Group

Moderator: Richard DeVore, Regional President, Detroit and Southeast Michigan, PNC Bank

Adam Hollier, Vice President, Hantz Woodlands

Detroiters with unique perspectives will inform and motivate attendees to take action in Detroit’s revitalization by sharing their stories.

Shaping the Future: Detroit’s Next Chapter
An integral part of forward planning is using past experiences to shape the future. Concerning the vision of a new chapter for Detroit, the factors that contributed to its current economic condition must be understood. This panel will touch on the ongoing legacies of Detroit’s transformation while discussing the strategic blueprint and economic ecosystem that will shape Detroit.

Panel:
Dave Egner, Executive Director, New Economy Initiative
Don Graves, Executive Director, President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness
Dan Kinkead, Director of Projects, Detroit Future City
Thomas Sugrue, David Boies Professor of History and Sociology, University of Pennsylvania

Moderator: Christy McDonald, MIWeek Anchor, Detroit Public Television

Meet the members of the new Detroit City Council.

Brenda Jones, President; At Large
George Cushingberry, President Pro Tem; District 2
Saunteel Jenkins, At Large
James Tate, District 1
Scott Benson, District 3
André Spivey, District 4
Mary Sheffield, District 5
Raquel Castaneda-Lopez, District 6
Gabe Leland, District 7