The Peak Innovation Conference, with workshops, panels, nationally acclaimed speakers and extraordinary discussions designed to ignite social, economic, and environmental change in the Sierra Nevada will take place Oct. 8-10 at Granlibakken Resort.

Active residents, business owners, natural resource managers and community leaders from around the region and Sierra will gather for Sierra Business Council’s 20th Anniversary Conference, “Peak Innovation: The Next 20 Years” in Tahoe City October 8 - 10. The conference is designed to offer unparalleled learning and networking opportunities, inspiration, and concrete action steps to tackle some of the region’s toughest issues and draw the state’s eyes to its major water source, the Sierra Nevada.

The conference officially opens on Thursday, Oct. 8 with an inspiring evening featuring a Washoe blessing, delicious Farm to Table dinner, interview with celebrated citizen writer Terry Tempest Williams and a mini Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Optional pre conference offerings include a free Granlibakken Energy Efficiency Retrofit Tour, free guided hike, and hands on workshops.

Download the Peak Innovation Conference full schedule at the link below [PDF]

peak_innovation_conference_schedule_final.pdf

Throughout the three-day conference, participants will discuss relevant ways that rural regions can cultivate innovation and sustainability, and there will be in-depth discussions about how to increase investment in the Sierra’s natural resources. Friday will kick off with NY Times best selling author and CNN Cross-Fire co-host Van Jones, who wrote “The Green Collar Economy” and “Rebuild the Dream.” The list of his awards and honors is vast: Rolling Stone’s “12 Leaders Who Get Things Done,” TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” Fast Company’s “12 Most Creative Minds on Earth,” and Essence Magazine’s “25 Most Inspiring African Americans.” Following the keynote, attendees will participate in town hall-style focused conversations taking on situations in the Sierra such as workforce development, marketplace improvement for ecosystem services, communicating about climate change, creating investor-ready enterprises, and so much more.

“Peak Innovation will address what we – individuals, small businesses, communities and local governments – can do about water shortages and policy at the state level, along with how we can foster a culture of innovation throughout the Sierra” said Steve Frisch, president of Sierra Business Council. “Conference registration is not limited to Sierra Nevada residents just as issues impacting our communities are not limited to the region.”

Peak Innovation offers the chance to hear from two nationally acclaimed speakers, Jones and Tempest Williams, a rare opportunity in the Sierra Nevada. Attendance also offers the chance to be a part of the Sierra Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Partnership (Sierra CAMP), a coalition of leaders from business, academia, government, and community groups with the goal of reducing the burden of climate change on communities and ecosystems throughout the Sierra. Additionally, attendees will learn about the new Peak Innovation Center and Sierra Small Business Development Center that will support the growth of new businesses both locally and region-wide. 

Registration, including all meals, networking opportunities, plenary sessions and panel discussions, costs $599. SBC is currently offering $100 off the cost of registration to the first ten registrants to use the code, SIERRA100, at checkout. You can register at www.sierrabusiness.org. Discounted lodging at Granlibakken is available for conference attendees.