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Global Leaders and Innovators Arrive in Sun Valley for the Fourth Annual Sun Valley Forum on Resilience July 31-August 3, 2018 at Ketchum’s Limelight Hotel

Government, Business, Investment, Advocacy & Adventure Representatives to Address Gathering Greentech Media Podcast "Political Climate" to be recorded at Forum

Global Leaders and Innovators Arrive in Sun Valley for the Fourth Annual Sun Valley Forum on Resilience July 31-August 3, 2018 at Ketchum’s Limelight Hotel

Government, Business, Investment, Advocacy & Adventure Representatives to Address Gathering Greentech Media Podcast "Political Climate" to be recorded at Forum

Published 07-27-18

Submitted by Sun Valley Institute

The Sun Valley Institute kicks off the fourth annual Sun Valley Forum at the Limelight Hotel in Ketchum, Idaho at 1pm on July 31 and it runs through Thursday, August 2 with a closing dinner at Roundhouse Restaurant on Bald Mountain, followed by Adventure Day on Friday, August 3. This year’s Forum theme is “Turning Risk Into Opportunity: Vision, Courage & Innovation.” Leaders and innovators from government, corporations, academia, media, and social advocacy are gathering kicks off the fourth annual Sun Valley Forum on Resilience, at 1pm on July 31 through Friday, August 3 at the Limelight Hotel in Ketchum, Idaho. This year’s Forum theme is “Turning Risk Into Opportunity: Vision, Courage & Innovation.” Leaders and innovators from government, corporations, academia, media, and social advocacy are gathering to talk about how they are solving some of the world’s most complex challenges. The premier event of the Sun Valley Institute, each year the Sun Valley Forum gathers approximately 200-250 national and international leaders and innovators from investment, policy, business, nonprofits, sports and entertainment and academia, as well as local leaders, visitors, and residents with a goal of building greater resilience. 

“Environmental shifts and economic interdependence, as well as social and political upheavals, call for proactive leadership to build resilient communities, companies, nations, and economies,” said Aimée Christensen, founder of the Sun Valley Forum and the Sun Valley Institute. “This year our task is ever more urgent: The World Economic Forum’s 2018 Global Risks report, Fractures, Fears & Failures, found that three of our top five risks likely to happen in the next 10 years are environment related: extreme weather events, natural disasters, and the failure to mitigate and adapt to climate change. And yet the opportunities to build prosperous, secure, thriving communities and economies have never been greater. To have success at scale and urgency, we must address the interconnections and pursue strategies that serve multiple benefits: to that end, the Sun Valley Forum includes a diverse set of topics and approaches, from energy and food, to equity and human resilience, and from policy and investment to technology and communications.”

The Forum’s 2018 Presenting Sponsor is Cypress Creek Renewables, one of the nation’s largest solar energy developers. “We’re pleased to be the Forum’s Presenting Sponsor. Having participated in this event last year, we witnessed the level of thought leadership among attendees and we are really looking forward to participating this year,” said Michael Cohen, President of Cypress Creek Renewables. “Our sponsors make this event possible, and Cypress Creek is dedicated to making a difference, bringing vision, courage and innovation to all they do, building our better future for our prosperity, security, and environment, helping to grow thriving communities and economies,” added Christensen.

The Forum will feature over 60 innovators and leaders on stage. Christensen shared, “We’re excited to have such a deep and wide group of speakers this year from diverse industries and perspectives. We’ll be talking economic development in rural Kentucky with Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin and state and business leaders. We’ll hear from adventure advocates, including world record skin diver Kimi Werner of Patagonia Provisions and skier Brody Levin of Protect Our Winters. We will be inspired by extreme social entrepreneurs like Daniel Dart and chef Mark Brand who are working with some of those most in need, refugees in Gaza and the homeless in Vancouver. Finally, we’ll hear from business innovators Katherine Neebe at Walmart on scaling impact and Sam Arons of Lyft on the future of mobility. Finally, we’ll welcome Barney Swan, son of our opening keynote speaker last year, Robert Swan (OBE), to share with us the harrowing story of their world-record-setting trip to the south pole powered by only renewable energy – and why Sir Robert is not with us this year!”

“BNP Paribas / Bank of the West have been pleased to sponsor the Forum for 3 years. The Forum gets better and better.  It’s a unique gathering of thought leaders, change makers and educators, all ready to take action.  We recognize that, whatever sector we represent, the issues of resiliency and sustainability are critical to our survival,” said Julie Shafer, Head of Philanthropy and Purpose Investment at BNP Paribas / Bank of the West.

“From the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation to The Weather Company, the Forum is gathering global leaders at the Sun Valley Forum to accelerate impact,” Christensen added. “We’re very fortunate to have them together working to make a difference globally, and at the same time supporting our community’s efforts to lead right here in Idaho. To ensure our community’s participation, we have local and state speakers and we offer tickets at all levels and welcome scholarship requests. We’re convening two important locally-focused working sessions, one on food and one on energy, to learn from others and deploy strategies here, and hopefully attract visiting leaders to work with us right here!”

The Forum is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and partners including this year’s Presenting Sponsor, Cypress Creek Renewables, and Pine Gate Renewables, Domo, Julie Ann Wrigley - Global Institute of Sustainability - ASU, Microsoft, Accenture, Bank of the West & BNP Paribas, Middle Fork Lodge, American Farmland Trust, IBM/Weather Company, Idaho Policy Institute - School of Public Service | Boise State University, Amalgamated Bank, Bex Wilkinson, Jeri Wolfson, Nia Global Solutions, Idaho Public Television and Confluence Philanthropy. 

SCHEDULE & PROGRAM
2018 Sun Valley Forum Schedule
July 31: Opening Sessions & Reception & Dinner
August 1: Forum Sessions, Reception & Dine-around Dinners
August 2: Forum Sessions & Closing Dinner at Roundhouse Restaurant
August 3: Adventure Day & 5Point Film Festival

Please see the complete Program online for more information on daily topics and speakers. Over 60 globally recognized speakers will attend the Forum with the full list of speakers available here.

The Forum is open to the public and remaining tickets are available for purchase at registration with more information available at: www.sunvalleyforum.com. Scholarships are also available.

Media interested in attending should email Kelsey Orlyck at Kelsey@sunvalleyinstitute.org.

Please see more information on our Forum Fact Sheet and media resources page available here.

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About the Sun Valley Institute

The Sun Valley Institute advances resilience through policy leadership, public engagement and investments to ensure economic prosperity, environmental protection and human wellbeing in its home community of Idaho’s Wood River Valley and beyond. Sun Valley leaders founded the Institute in the spring of 2015 to protect and enhance local quality of place for future generations of residents and visitors alike, and to serve as a resource for communities everywhere. From the original Native American inhabitants to the miners and ranchers of the valley’s early days, from the Union Pacific engineers who built the world’s first chairlift to those who challenge themselves in its mountains and rivers today, Sun Valley is about history and tradition, grit and perseverance, well-being and quality of life. The risks, assets and values of Sun Valley make it the perfect home for an institute dedicated to resilience. For more information, please visit: www.sunvalleyinstitute.org and follow the institute on Twitter @SunValleyInst and Instagram at @SunValleyInstitute and Facebook at facebook.com/sunvalleyinstitute.

Sun Valley Institute logo

Sun Valley Institute

Sun Valley Institute

The Sun Valley Institute advances resilience through policy leadership, public engagement, and investments to ensure economic prosperity, environmental protection, and human well-being in its home community of Idaho’s Wood River Valley and beyond. Sun Valley leaders founded the Institute in the spring of 2015 to protect and enhance local quality of place for future generations of residents and visitors alike, and to serve as a resource for communities everywhere. From the original Native American inhabitants to the miners and ranchers of the valley’s early days, from the Union Pacific engineers who built the world’s first chairlift to those who challenge themselves in its mountains and rivers today, Sun Valley is about history and tradition, grit and perseverance, well-being and quality of life. The risks, assets, and values of Sun Valley make it the perfect home for an institute dedicated to resilience. www.sunvalleyinstitute.org

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