Portland’s sustainability geeks are abuzz with the upcoming Better Living Show, “the Northwest’s largest sustainable lifestyle show”. Less known and potentially more interesting, inspiring, and educational will be the Show’s parallel event, the Regional Innovation Forum (3/27 and 3/28 at the Portland Expo Center).
“Imagine a conference where the content is inspiring and the quality of conversations is transformational. Imagine a region leading the way for the nation, sharing our insights with other communities, and prospering. The Regional Innovation Forum brings together engaged citizens and community leaders from every sector to explore the systemic challenges facing our region that require coordinated effort between individuals, communities, organizations, and local, regional and national policymakers. Oregon’s deep roots in sustainable innovation and activism provide a platform for the all-encompassing societal change that is required to build a sustainable future.”
Friday’s program (3/27) offers a choice of four tracks:
- Energy Solutions
- Social Innovation
- Role of Higher Education
- Sustainable Schools
Friday evening’s event is a keynote address and reception with Nobel Prize-Winning Climatologist Dr. Stephen Schneider of Stanford University.
Saturday’s program is a Climate Change summit focused on developing leadership, community building and a climate solutions.
There is no limit to the creative solutions that can be devised to build our sustainable communities. Yet the scale and urgency of change required offers new dimensions and challenges.  We must think beyond traditional boundaries and embrace new ways of working together. Dynamic leaders will make this happen. Will you be one of them?
Regional Innovation Forum online:
- Twitter: #RIF
- Blog: Regional Innovation Forum
- Upcoming
- Website (schedule, registration): RegionalInnovationForum.org
Sources: Regional Innovation Forum communications and coordinating team emails.
