The Biennial of the Americas today announced its initial line-up of confirmed speakers, panel moderators, as well as symposium and clínica topics for its opening week of the 2015 Biennial, July 14 – 19^th in Denver. Renowned experts and leaders from across the Americas will convene for four days of thought-provoking discussions and engagement. Additional speakers are continually being added to the schedule.

The 2015 Biennial will assemble a diverse array of public figures, moderated by leading journalists Tina Brown, Maria Bartiromo and León Krauze, featuring experts and innovators in a variety of fields including education, technology, entrepreneurship, energy, trade, public health, natural resources and politics. These discussions are led by a moderator and will showcase the importance of various issues affecting the Americas NOW!

For ticket information, visit www.biennialoftheamericas.org. An initial schedule of programming follows:

 

Open to the public, the Generation NOW! symposium will explore new priorities and approaches to participation in business, civic and social life that are fueled by evolving technologies, methods of learning and interaction.

·       León Krauze, Journalist and News Anchor, Univision

 

·       Gabriel Sanchez Zinny, President, Kuepa.com and Author of Educación 3.0: The Struggle for Talent in Latin America

·       Adriana Cisneros, CEO, Cisneros and President, Fundación Cisneros

 

 

The Business NOW! symposium will seek the next big idea for trade in the Americas, exploring the strategies, tools and policies that can jumpstart business growth in the hemisphere. Special performance proceeding symposia by Los Dreamers.  

 

·       Maria Bartiromo, Global Markets Editor and Anchor, FOX Business Network and Anchor, FOX News Channel

·       Mike Fries, President and CEO, Liberty Global Inc.

·       Mark Tercek, President and CEO, The Nature Conservancy

·       José Manuel Carrera, Director for Infrastructure and New Business Ventures, Pemex

·       Graciela Chichilnisky, CEO, Global Thermostat

·       Alicia Lebrija Hirschfeld, Presidente Ejecutiva, Televisa Foundation

 

 

The Community NOW! symposium will examine how illicit drug markets affect communities in the Americas and will explore effective approaches to legalization and policy.

 

·       Tina Brown, Founder and CEO, Tina Brown Live Media

 

·       Ricardo Lagos, President of Chile (2000-2006) and Director, Fundación Democracia y Desarrollo

·      Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper

·      Nora Volkow, Director, National Institute of Drug Abuse

·      César Gaviria, President of Colombia (1990-1994)

This moderated panel will convene Mayors and former Mayors from across the Western Hemisphere to discuss the growing importance of local leadership on national and international issues. Additional speakers to be announced soon.

 

·       Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock

·       City of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado

·       City of Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi

 

 

Biennial hosted clínicas, or peer-to-peer workshops, are designed to address today’s most pressing issues in the Americas, drawing experts from various disciplines, perspectives, backgrounds and experiences to explore bold approaches and innovative solutions to the challenges presented.

The 2015 clínicas will address topics including: lifelong learning, entrepreneurship, ubiquitous technology, energy development, the next big trade idea for the Americas, impact investing, natural resource use, physical and mental public health and drug policy in consideration of citizen security, migration and changing legalities. Each three-hour clínica is singularly designed, professionally facilitated by McKinsey and Company and centered around a key topic that lies within the Biennial festival’s theme. Each clínica session aims to produce a platform for action that contains recommended next steps for each topic.

 

The Biennial of the Americas connects business, art, culture and civic leaders from throughout the Americas by building lasting relationships, addressing shared issues and inspiring action. Beginning July 14, 2015 with opening week events, and continuing through August 30, 2015, the Biennial of the Americas will feature groundbreaking art installations, engaging conversations, live performances and free festivals and programs that celebrate our shared cultural heritage and rich connection to the world around us. 

 

Major sponsors for the 2015 Biennial of the Americas include Liberty Global Inc., The Anschutz Foundation, Boettcher Foundation, Bonfils-Stanton Foundation and EY.

 

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