Valley Vision Newsletter (current year)

Special Edition: 2017 State of the Valley Conference

David Brooks, Reed Hastings Headline Annual Event

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings head a full program of speakers, panels, reports and entertainment at Joint Venture’s 2017 State of the Valley conference in San Jose February 17.

In keynote remarks, Brooks will present his outlook for a President Trump administration and what it portends for Silicon Valley, while Hastings will be honored with the David Packard Award, Joint Venture’s highest honor.

The annual conference also features a keynote address by Harvard professor and former New York City deputy mayor Stephen Goldsmith on the way “smart” cities and regions are reshaping governance in the digital age, along with thought-provoking panels on that topic and Silicon Valley’s role in the future of the automobile. The 2017 Silicon Valley Index, exhibitors and entertainment round out the day’s agenda.

Microsoft is the new lead sponsor for the conference. Accenture, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and Wells Fargo Bank are returning as the presentation sponsors.

State of the Valley takes place Friday, February 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, 150 West San Carlos Street, San Jose.

The complete program.

Register now!

Here are the day’s highlights at a glance:

KEYNOTE – DAVID BROOKS

Silicon Valley in a Donald Trump Presidency

After an election that bitterly divided the country, California and Silicon Valley are seen as part of a “bubble” that is out of step with national trends. As the new administration sets out on its course, what is the outlook from the nation’s capital and what does it portend for Silicon Valley?

Brooks, the award-winning New York Times columnist and best-selling author, will reflect on America’s future and the role that Silicon Valley will play, showing again why he is hailed as one of the nation’s most balanced, thoughtful and insightful commentators.

More about David Brooks.

KEYNOTE – STEPHEN GOLDSMITH

Smart Cities, Smart Region: New Models for Civic Engagement and Governance in the Digital Age

In today’s world, regions — and the cities that comprise them – are emerging as the most pragmatic actors and the real drivers of change, more so than the moribund chambers of the federal government. Breakthroughs in technology and data analytics are accelerating these developments, introducing new models for local government to engage citizens and create more agile, competitive, and vibrant communities.

As a former big-city mayor (Indianapolis) and deputy mayor to New York’s Michael Bloomberg, Professor Goldsmith has both the academic foundation and practical expertise to discuss how America’s most innovative cities are leveraging digital tools, and will argue that Silicon Valley should be the world’s most advanced example of data-smart governance.

More about Stephen Goldsmith.

JEFFREY TUMLIN

Why Isn’t Silicon Valley America’s Biking Capital?

American visitors to Amsterdam, Copenhagen and other European cities are startled to learn that the bicycle is the dominant mode of commuting, despite the cold weather and a challenging terrain. Why not Silicon Valley?

We have a Mediterranean climate, a flat landscape and a health-conscious population that cares about the environment. Joint Venture’s Institute for Regional Studies is releasing a report at the conference that lays out a vision for Silicon Valley to become a national leader for bicycle commuting, and provides a roadmap for getting there.

More about Jeffrey Tumlin.

PANEL: Making Silicon Valley America's Smartest Region: Strategies and Tactics

Silicon Valley is the birthplace of the digital revolution and the epicenter of technology innovation, but leveraging these technologies in the civic arena has proven difficult. What will it take to change that? How can Silicon Valley cities execute on the vision Professor Goldsmith lays out in his keynote remarks, and become the world’s most pioneering example of a smart region?

Panelists include Dan’l Lewin, Microsoft Corporate Vice President for Technology & Civic Engagement, Lucy Bernholz, Director of the Stanford University Digital Civil Society Lab and Kip Harkness, Deputy City Manager, City of San Jose

More on the panelists.

PANEL: Silicon Valley and the Future of the Automobile

Silicon Valley technology and Detroit manufacturing are converging in ways that spell a new future for the automobile. As the major automakers jump into deals, acquisitions and investments with tech companies, will Silicon Valley be a disruptor? Or will a new partnership model be the bigger driver of change? How soon can we reasonably expect the driverless car to be approved for roadways? What will its impact be on our mobility challenges and on the overall economy?

A panel of experts will update us on the latest developments and chart the future. Panelists are: Sven Beiker, Stanford Graduate School of Business; Patrick Brady, Google; Brook Porter, Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers LLC; and Sahas Katta, Smartcar. The moderator is Michael Uhl, McKinsey & Company.

More on the panelists.

SILICON VALLEY INDEX

Annual Check-up: A Briefing on the 2017 Index

The Index has been telling the Silicon Valley story since 1995. The indicators measure the dynamism of our economy and the health of our community, highlighting challenges and providing an analytical foundation for decision making. The Index is a launching point for all of the discussion and dialogue at State of the Valley, and its data serves as the foundation for Joint Venture’s initiatives throughout the year.

Russell Hancock, President and Chief Executive Officer of Joint Venture and President of the Silicon Valley Institute for Regional Studies, will give a detailed briefing on the data and trends in the newest Index.

More about the Silicon Valley Index.

The David Packard Award

Reed Hastings, co-founder and CEO of Netflix and a dedicated advocate for education opportunities, will be honored with the 2017 David Packard Award for civic engagement.

The Packard Award is presented annually to a person who brings an entrepreneurial, cross-boundary, problem-solving approach to our region’s challenges. The recipients embody the spirit of David Packard, Silicon Valley’s legendary pioneer who set the highest standard for civic engagement.

Read the news release.

More on the Packard Award.

EXHIBITORS AND ENTERTAINMENT

State of the Valley also features an Exhibitors Showcase for local nonprofit organizations to provide information about their services. Exhibitors include transit agencies, open space organizations, sustainability initiatives and more.

Bands from local schools, including Lincoln High School and Buchser Middle School, perform during breaks at State of the Valley.

Registration for State of the Valley includes breakfast, lunch, a copy of the 2017 Silicon Valley Index and admission to all of the conference proceedings, booths and exhibits.

Registration is $175, with discounts for nonprofits and students.

More information and registration.