SPECIAL STATE OF THE VALLEY 2012 EDITION

Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, 8 A.M.- 2 P.M.
San Jose McEnery Convention Center

What is State of the Valley?

State of the Valley is Silicon Valley’s annual "town meeting” that convenes the entire region – concerned citizens and stakeholders, thought leaders and opinion makers, our elected representatives, educators and academics, business executives, journalists, labor and workforce leaders – for dialogue and discussion about the Valley’s challenges and opportunities.

But more than merely commentary, State of the Valley also features music and dance from the region’s arts groups, high school bands, and elementary school choirs. There are also booths and exhibits on the concourses showing off entrepreneurs, established corporations, and non-profits that are working in Joint Venture's project areas. The event is a celebration of our region – who we are and who we're becoming.

The event is made possible by the generosity of our lead sponsor, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and by our presentation sponsors, Accenture, Bank of America, Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo and PG&E. It is also supported by our table sponsors, and our hotel and media sponsors.

Click here to sponsor a table.
Click here to register ($150).

This year's conference at a glance:
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

MAYOR RICHARD M. DALEY – The Greening of America’s Metropolitan Regions

Richard M. Daley, Chicago's longest serving mayor (1989-2011) will deliver morning keynote remarks about the greening of America’s metropolitan regions. Daley is considered one of the nation’s most forward-looking mayors, particularly for the way he led Chicago’s transformation from a gritty industrial zone to a landscape of smart green buildings and appealing open spaces. He also established Chicago as a hub for environmental design and jobs in the renewable energy sector.

Following his remarks, Daley will engage in a panel discussion about Silicon Valley’s role in the sustainability movement, with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed.

Click here to read a New York Times profile on Mayor Daley.

MICHAEL MANDELBAUM – How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented, and How Silicon Valley Can Lead America Back

Michael Mandelbaum, one of America’s leading authorities on international affairs, is the co-author with Thomas Friedman of That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back. In his luncheon remarks Mandelbaum will analyze four crucial trends — globalization, the IT revolution, chronic deficits, and high energy consumption — and spell out how Silicon Valley can spur America to a genuine competitive renewal.

Click here to watch Mandelbaum on the Charlie Rose program.

STEVE BRIDGES – Global Economic Smackdown

Steve Bridges, a comedian on the national stage and presidential impressionist, will bring Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton to life at the 2012 State of the Valley conference in a hilarious one-man summit. Acclaimed for his uncanny representations of famous public figures, Bridges' Impersonator-in-Chief repertoire includes former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger among dozens of characters.

Click here to watch videos of Steve Bridges in action.

PRESENTATIONS AND PANELS

Silicon Valley’s Annual Checkup – A briefing on the 2012 Index

The day’s program begins with a presentation by Joint Venture CEO Russell Hancock on the findings in the 2012 Silicon Valley Index. The comprehensive annual report measures the strength of our local economy and the health of our community – highlighting challenges and providing an analytical foundation for leadership and decision-making.

Briefing on the 2012 Special Analysis to the Index: Proposition 13

Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D. and CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, outlines the long-term impact and consequences of Proposition 13 on municipal revenues in our prolonged housing market slump.

Panel: Silicon Valley’s Role in the Greening of American Cities

San Jose Mayor and Joint Venture co-chair Chuck Reed and Mayor Daley will lead a discussion on Silicon Valley’s regional leadership in using green technology and green energy to make cities more sustainable.

Panel: Silicon Valley’s (and California's) Fiscal Future

Economist Stephen Levy of the Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy will lead this panel exploring the outlook for our regional and state economy under the cloud of the continuing budget crisis. He will be joined by former State Senator Bruce McPherson and — we hope — Los Angeles Mayor Anthony Villaraigosa, an outspoken proponent of fiscal reform.

Panel: Arts, Culture & Creativity in Silicon Valley

It is often said that the real mark of a civilization is its level of achievement in the arts, and the creativity embedded in its culture. If that’s the case, how does Silicon Valley stack up? Three of Silicon Valley’s most accomplished and outspoken leaders will discuss the intersection of art, culture, and technology: Joel Slayton of Zero1,  Connie Martinez of FirstAct Silicon Valley, and Tanuja Bahal of the Indian Community Center.

DAVID PACKARD AWARD: John A. Sobrato

The David Packard Award, Joint Venture’s highest honor for civic and community service, will be presented to Silicon Valley real estate developer and community leader John A. Sobrato. The David Packard Award is given annually to an exemplary individual who brings an entrepreneurial, cross-boundary, problem-solving approach to Silicon Valley’s challenges. Recipients embody the spirit of David Packard, Silicon Valley’s legendary pioneer who set the highest standard for civic engagement. Last year’s recipient was Aart de Geus of Synopsys.

Click here for more about the David Packard Award.

Click here to learn more about the Sobrato Foundation.

PERFORMERS

Performers at State of the Valley 2012 include the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets Winter Percussion Ensemble, Buchser Middle School Jazz Band, Stanford Mendicants a cappella group, Merritt Trace Elementary School and San Jose Taiko drummers.

Click here for all the details about State of the Valley.

Click here to register.