Breakfast and Registration

VERGE Welcome and Opening Remarks

Presented by: Deval Patrick Governor, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

The City as a Lab

Cities around the world are being radically transformed by data, sensor technology, and tools that improve their infrastructure, protect their citizens, and provide enhanced services to all. What does it take to make a city smart? Read more…

Presented by: Adel Ebeid Chief Innovation Officer, City of Philadelphia; Assaf Biderman Associate Director, MIT SENSEable City Lab; John Tuccillo VP Industry and Government Alliances, Schneider Electric

In conversation with: Joel Makower Chairman & Executive Editor, GreenBiz Group

VERGE Talk: A Better Battery

Energy storage is the missing link when it comes to a smarter, more responsive and resilient electricity grid. One company thinks it has a cost-effective solution. Read more…

Presented by: Don Sadoway Professor of Materials Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

VERGE Talk: Navigating Market Transformation

Large-scale technological shifts and shared business values are laying the foundation for rapid innovation by companies around sustainable technologies. But it takes more than sensors and algorithms to make change. It also takes a culture shift. Read more…

Presented by: Rebecca Henderson McArthur University Professor, Harvard Business School

Keynote Interview: Cheryl Martin of ARPA-E

ARPA-E is the federal government's program for funding high-leverage energy technologies. So, what's the newest big idea? What does it take to bring big ideas to market? And what's the opportunity for the private sector? Read more…

Presented by: Cheryl Martin Deputy Director for Commercialization, ARPA-E, U.S. Department of Energy

In conversation with: Joel Makower Chairman & Executive Editor, GreenBiz Group

The Changing Face of Energy Management

The role of energy is changing inside companies and institutions, from a cost to be managed to a resource of growing strategic importance. That means a new breed of executive is needed to help companies buy, use, and sometimes sell, energy. Here's what the future looks like for those in the field. Read more…

Presented by: Christopher Brophy Vice President - Corporate Sustainability, MGM Resorts International; Heather Henriksen Director of the Office for Sustainability, Harvard University; Tari Emerson Director of Capital and Energy, Kohl's Department Stores

In conversation with: John Davies VP, Senior Analyst, GreenBiz Group

The Smart City Ecosystem

Creating a smart, connected city requires an ecosystem of players, including government, citizens, vendors and utilities. What does it take to make all of the pieces work together? Read more…

Presented by: John Odell Energy Efficiency & Conservation Manager, City of Worcester, MA; Peter Zschokke Director, Regulatory Strategy , National Grid; Bruce Husta Area Vice President,Smart Grid Solutions, Itron, Inc.

In conversation with: Jim Whittaker Executive Director, Smart Cities Council

VERGE Accelerate: Day 1

VERGE Accelerate, produced in partnership with the New England Clean Energy Council for VERGE Boston, brings together a dynamic mix of innovative start-ups that are leveraging smart, data-driven technologies to buildings and transportation. Read more…

Presented by: Peter Rothstein President, New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC); Elaine Hsieh Program Director & Senior Analyst - VERGE, GreenBiz Group; Shana Rappaport Director of Engagement, VERGE, GreenBiz Group

Keynote Interview: Mark "Puck" Mykleby

Can regional clusters create "full-spectrum" sustainability — energy, water, food, education, and transportation systems that promote environmental, social, and economic well-being? Around the United States, groups are now building those clusters. Read more…

Presented by: Mark "Puck" Mykleby Colonel, USMC (Retired)

In conversation with: Joel Makower Chairman & Executive Editor, GreenBiz Group

Scaling Water Optimization: Reducing Consumption Across Portfolios

An interactive workshop, leveraging key lessons learned from AT&T and the Environmental Defense Fund's pilot collaboration, to walk away with a comprehensive tool kit for scaling water efficiency measures in your building operations. Read more…

Presented by: John Schulz Director, Sustainability Operations, AT&T; Namrita Kapur Director of Strategy, Environmental Defense Fund

In conversation with: Alex Hahn Senior Vice President, Sustainability, VOX Global

Accelerating Transportation's Transformation

The growing demand for car-sharing services is transforming conventional transportation networks and may help spur electric vehicle demand. What will it take to bring this future faster? Read more…

Presented by: Stephen Russell Massachusetts Clean Cities Coordinator, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources; Monica Tibbits Executive Director, 128 Business Council; Bill Knapp Chief Operating Officer, car2go NA LLC

In conversation with: Ben Holland Director, Deployment Policy and Strategy, Securing America's Future Energy

Data Management Approaches for Enterprise Smart Grid and Enterprise Energy Management

Organizations increasingly need to manage energy data across all facilities, but the vendor market for energy management software is very confusing and big. Read more…

Presented by: Todd Isherwood Energy Efficiency and Alternative Energy Project Manager, City of Boston; Jessica Kipper Director, Product Management, Resource A, Schneider Electric; Steve Fugarazzo Director, Facilities Engineering, Raytheon

In conversation with: Paul Baier Vice President of Sustainability Consulting, Groom Energy

Solutions for Next-Gen Buildings

Implementing large-scale, smart-building systems is a cross-functional challenge, involving building owners, facility managers, technology providers and building occupants. What does it take to engage all stakeholders for effective energy management? Read more…

Presented by: Mike Zimmerman CEO, BuildingIQ; Jay Hedley Global Lead - AccentureSmart Buildings, Accenture; Oliver Gruner Business Development Director, ICONICS,Inc.; Steve Gossett Jr. CEO, SCIenergy

In conversation with: Peter Scarpelli VP, Global Director of Energy & Sustainability, CBRE

The Impact of Competitive Energy Markets on Innovation

How do competitive markets foster innovation? What works well, what doesn't, and what remains to be done? Read more…

Presented by: Barbara Kates-Garnick Undersecretary for Energy, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs; Robert Burke Principal Analyst, Market Development, ISO New England; John Jung CEO, Greensmith Energy Management Systems; Al Scaramelli Senior Vice President, Beacon Capital Partners

In conversation with: Peter Kelly-Detwiler Principal, NorthBridge Energy Partners, LLC

Big Data, Supply Chains & Megacities

How can cities plan for last-mile logistics? What is the role of data-sharing and other technologies in building new models for moving things inside large, congested cities? Read more…

Presented by: Edgar Blanco Research Director, MIT Center, Transportation & Logistics

Next-Gen Buildings As Strategic Business Assets

Smart, connected buildings — whether new construction or retrofits — are business enablers, not cost centers. Read more…

Presented by: Minot Frye President, ECON Group; Douglas Gensler Principal and Managing Director, Gensler; Bryan Koop SVP, Regional Manager, Boston Properties; John Pitcher CEO, Weber Sensors International

In conversation with: Rob Watson CEO, ECON Group

Moving the Needle on Carbon

This panel will explore diverse strategies from different sectors to achieve aggressive, large-scale carbon-reduction goals. Read more…

Presented by: Heather Henriksen Director of the Office for Sustainability, Harvard University; Mary Fisher Carbon Master, Stonyfield; Monica Nakielski Project Manager, Sustainable Initiatives, Partners HealthCare

In conversation with: Peter Rothstein President, New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC)

VERGE Gurus

Guru sessions are small-group consultative sessions led by a diverse group of experts and thought leaders. Read more…

Day Two Welcome

Presented by: Elaine Hsieh Program Director & Senior Analyst - VERGE, GreenBiz Group; Eric Faurot CEO, GreenBiz Group

The Trillion-Dollar M2M Opportunity

The business opportunity for machine-to-machine communications is vast — and just getting going. This cross-sectoral panel looks at the current and emerging opportunities in transportation, buildings, and precision agriculture. Read more…

Presented by: Dan Probst Chairman, Energy and Sustainability Services, Jones Lang LaSalle; John Schulz Director, Sustainability Operations, AT&T; Mark Bernardo General Manager, Automation Software, GE Intelligent Platforms

In conversation with: Heather Clancy Senior Writer, GreenBiz

Keynote Interview: Suman Bery of Shell

How one of the world's largest energy companies uses communications and IT to make their operations more efficient. Read more…

Presented by: Suman Bery Chief Economist, Shell International

In conversation with: Joel Makower Chairman & Executive Editor, GreenBiz Group

VERGE Talk: Born to Consume: What Neuroscience Tells Us About Radical Efficiency

Conventional wisdom says we need massive behavior change to scale the planet for 9 billion people. Neuroscience and evolutionary psychology argue that we need radical technology advances instead. Read more…

Presented by: Matthew Nordan Vice President, Venrock

Converging Interests: Aligning Energy, Carbon, and Development in Boston

What does it take for all parties to align on a region's energy, climate and economic development goals? As Boston has found, there's a sweet spot of solutions that allow the public and private sector to implement innovative solutions with economic, environmental and community benefits. Read more…

Presented by: Brian Swett Chief of Environment and Energy, City of Boston; John Cleveland President, Innovation Network for Communities; John Messervy Director of Capital and Facilities Planning , Partners HealthCare

In conversation with: Eric Faurot CEO, GreenBiz Group

Keynote Interview: Britta Gross of General Motors

Creating the electric-vehicle charging infrastructure is a key part of the chicken-and-egg puzzle behind scaling EVs. Doing so takes a partnership with cities, utilities, and business owners. What will it take to make charge points as ubiquitous as gas stations? Read more…

Presented by: Britta Gross Director, Advanced Vehicle Commercialization Policy, General Motors

In conversation with: Joel Makower Chairman & Executive Editor, GreenBiz Group

VERGE Accelerate: Day 2

VERGE Accelerate, produced in partnership with the New England Clean Energy Council for VERGE Boston, brings together a dynamic mix of innovative start-ups that are leveraging smart, data-driven technologies to buildings and transportation. Read more…

Presented by: Peter Rothstein President, New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC); Elaine Hsieh Program Director & Senior Analyst - VERGE, GreenBiz Group; Shana Rappaport Director of Engagement, VERGE, GreenBiz Group

Race Against the Machine

One of the world's leading thinkers about technology’s impact on the world of business looks at how machine automation and advanced computing is fundamentally transforming the future of work. Read more…

Presented by: Andrew McAfee Leadership & IT Strategist, MIT Sloan School of Management

Technologies for Sustainable Mobility

Hear how advanced communication technologies, mobile apps, and disruptive partnerships are creating cost-effective opportunities for companies and cities to transform sustainable mobility. Read more…

Presented by: Adam White Founder, Groupshot; Scott Kolber CEO, Roadify; Komal Anand Research Associate, SMART, University of Michigan

In conversation with: Aniela Kuzon New Mobility Sector Lead, NextEnergy

Virtuous Cycle of Organizational Energy Efficiency

Implementing aggressive energy-efficiency measures requires interdependent components of people and technology. What are the key ingredients and strategies? Read more…

Presented by: Victoria Mills Managing Director, Corporate Partnerships Program, Environmental Defense Fund; Carolyn Kaplan Counsel & Chief Sustainability Officer, Nixon Peabody LLP; Jeff Holmes Principal Engineer, Genzyme Corporation

In conversation with: Jason Jay Director, Sustainable Business and Society, MIT

From Smart to Wise Cities: Sustainable Urban Development in Emerging Markets

An exploration into the sustainability issues of urbanization, the case for meaningful collaboration among companies, government, and civil society, and models for stakeholder engagement. Read more…

Presented by: Gary Lawrence Corporate V.P. and Chief Sustainability, AECOM; John Dalzell Boston Redevelopment Authority, City of Boston

In conversation with: Celine Suarez Manager, Advisory Services, BSR

Reaping the Rewards of Data Center Efficiency

The exponential growth rates of digital data is creating business challenges in the form of operating costs and environmental impact. What metrics, models, and best practices are companies across the globe using to rapidly accelerate efficiency while controlling costs? Read more…

Presented by: Victor Avelar Director, Data Center Science Ceneter, Schneider Electric; Christopher Hankin Senior Director, ITIC

In conversation with: Kathrin Winkler Vice President of Corporate Sustainability, EMC Corporation, Board Member, The Green Grid

The Growth and Promise of the LED Market

Cities and corporate building owners are scaling the use of LEDs in outdoor and indoor applications, providing vendors and other stakeholders with concrete data on LED efficacy, performance, and return on investment. Read more…

Presented by: Margaret Newman Chief of Staff, NYC Department of Transportation; Jon Guerster CEO, Groom Energy Solutions; Susanne Seitinger City Innovations Manager, Philips Color Kinetics

In conversation with: Elaine Hsieh Program Director & Senior Analyst - VERGE, GreenBiz Group

The New Economics of Energy

Who will finance the next generation of clean and smart energy technologies? Read more…

Presented by: Chuck McDermott General Partner, Rockport Capital Partners; David Yeh Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Energy ; Joshua Rogers Senior Strategy Analyst, Strategic Planning & Corporate Development , National Grid

In conversation with: Nikhil Garg Vice President, Black Coral Capital

Capitalizing on Energy Efficiency

The benefits and challenges associated with making buildings more energy efficient. How do you balance corporate environmental stewardship with compelling financial metrics for both owners and occupants? Read more…

Presented by: Dean Larson Director of Engineering, Boston Properties; John Forester Director of Energy & Sustainability, Commonwealth Reit (REIT Management & Research LLC); Olav Hegland Senior Director, Energy & Sustainability, AtSite

In conversation with: Darlene Pope Founder & Principal, CoR Advisors