Agenda Released: 'Innovation 2015: From China to Silicon Valley' in Menlo Park, Nov. 4-5 | Asia Society

Agenda Released: 'Innovation 2015: From China to Silicon Valley' in Menlo Park, Nov. 4-5

The second edition of the summit will take place at the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel in Menlo Park, November 4-5, 2015.

Speakers Include Digital Promise CEO Karen Cator; BDA China Chairman Duncan Clark; Tianjin Binhai Hi-Tech Industrial Development Area Chairman Ni Xiangyu; City of San Jose Chief Strategist Kim Walesh; Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Vice President Wang Wei; and McKinsey Global Institute Director Jonathan Woetzel

SAN FRANCISCO, October 21, 2015 — China is pursuing an aggressive strategy to remake itself as a global high-tech center for innovation. The path to innovation is not easy, and both the U.S. and China are facing many barriers as they strive to build their innovation-driven economies. What lessons can China draw from innovative firms and policies in the West, and from Silicon Valley in particular? Can Silicon Valley's unique "ecosystem for innovation" be replicated?

These are some of the questions to be addressed when leading entrepreneurs, business executives, and policymakers from both China and the West, meet in two weeks for Innovation 2015: From China to Silicon Valley. The second edition of the summit, first held in Tianjin, China in 2013, will take place at the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel in Menlo Park, November 4-5, 2015.

The current program agenda follows. Media interested in learning more or RSVPing to attend Innovation 2015 should contact Asia Society's press office ([email protected]).

The event is organized by the Asia Society in collaboration with the Tianjin Binhai Hi-Tech Industrial Development Area (THT).

"Innovation 2015: From China to Silicon Valley"
Program Details and Agenda

(Note: All programming is subject to change and will be held at the Rosewood Sand Hill, except where noted. All times denoted in PDT)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

6:00 PM-8:30 PM: The Power of Innovation (opening dinner)

What is at the core of Silicon Valley's appeal and is it indeed a uniquely American phenomenon? How has Silicon Valley's unique ecosystem of venture capital and private equity funding, as well as public-private partnerships, help to make the region the innovation capital of the world? How is China's financial and political climate adapting to support innovation at firms and among entrepreneurs, and what future reforms are necessary?

  • Jim Wunderman, President and CEO, Bay Area Council
  • Jonathan Woetzel, Director, McKinsey Global Institute, Director, McKinsey & Company, Co-Chair, Urban China Initiative
  • Kim Walsh, Chief Strategist, City of San Jose
  • Orville Schell, Director, Arthur Ross of the Center on U.S Relations, Asia Society

Moderated by Tom Nagorski, Executive Vice President, Asia Society

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5

8:30 AM: Welcome Remarks & Introduction

8:45 AM: The Building Blocks of Innovation
What are the building blocks to innovation and how do we define innovation comprehensively? How has China performed in providing the right ingredients towards building an innovation-driven economy and what are its future prospects -- for innovation both incremental and disruptive -- and for entrepreneurs who can drive both? What sectors provide the greatest opportunities for collaboration between U.S. and Chinese firms (e.g. energy efficiency, healthcare, media and entertainment)?

  • Wang Zhen, Vice President, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences
  • Wilhelm Oehl, Principal, Eight Inc. Apple Design Team
  • Richard Dasher, Executive Director, Center for Integrated Systems, Stanford University

Moderated by James McGregor, Chairman, APCO Worldwide China

10:30 AM: Educating For Innovation And Entrepreneurship
What are China's schools doing to train tomorrow's innovators and entrepreneurs? How are school districts in China and the West working together to share and develop best practices? What partnership opportunities exist for the private sector, both Chinese and international?

  • Karen Cator, President and CEO, Digital Promise
  • Robin Goldberg, Chief Experience Officer, Minerva
  • Anthony Jackson, Vice President of Education, Asia Society

Moderated by Leslie Hook, San Francisco Correspondent, Financial Times

12:00 PM: Lunch and Networking

1:15 PM: Barriers to Innovation

What are China and the U.S. doing to ensure both domestic and foreign firms are able to operate and conduct business confidently? What practical strategies are being put in place to protect business from these challenges while not creating new barriers to innovation?

  • Duncan Clark, Chairman, BDA
  • Ken Wilcox, Chairman, Silicon Valley Bank
  • Peter Schwartz, Vice President for Global Government Relations and Strategic Planning, Salesforce
  • Wang Wei, Vice Chairman, THT

Moderated by Howard Chao, Senior Asia Advisor, O'Melveny & Myers LLP

2:45PM: Closing Remarks

  • N. Bruce Pickering, Vice President of Global Programs, Asia Society; Executive Director, Asia Society Northern California

CONTACT INFORMATION

Juan Machado; [email protected]