Since our first Summit in 2011, we’ve been sure of one thing. We want our events to break the mold — from the venues we select, to the experiential programming we insist upon, to the diversity of our faculty at the podium, and the variety of perspectives from our attendees. Our 2016 Summit promises to exceed expectations with incredible venues, exceptional local food, unique outdoor networking experiences, hands-on experiential district tours and much more.
Join us for the EcoDistricts Summit
September 13-15, 2016 • Denver CO
Denver Art Museum
MAIN-STAGE PLENARY VENUE + EXHIBITOR HALL
Our primary conference venue, the Denver Art Museum is one of the largest art museums between Chicago and the West Coast, with a collection of more than 70,000 works of art divided between 10 permanent collections including African, American Indian, Asian, European and American, modern and contemporary, pre-Columbian, photography, Spanish Colonial, textile, and western American art. In 1971, the museum opened what is now known as the North Building (home to our main stage plenaries and exhibitor hall), designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti and Denver-based James Sudler Associates. This architectural icon remains the only completed project in the United States by this important Italian master of modern design.
Delicious Local Food + Drink
GET OUTSIDE TO THE LOCAL FOOD CARTS
We don’t believe in the chicken-dish conference standard. Expect a health- and earth-conscious food and beverage experience across the 2016 Summit, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options at every meal. For lunch, we invite you to a showcase of Denver’s culinary and entrepreneurial diversity with lunch from one of 30 of the best food trucks from the Denver region in Civic Center. Enjoy Asian, Cajun & Creole, Latin, Mediterranean and Italian cuisine as well as live music amongst the tree-covered seating under the sun at the outdoor amphitheater.
History Colorado Center
STUDIO SESSION VENUE
Deemed an “architectural triumph” and designed by Denver-based firm Tryba Architects, the History Colorado Center also sits within the city’s Civic Center Complex, just a block away from the Denver Art Museum. Step inside the main entrance to meet the 80-foot high atrium for an experience of light, glass and shimmering metal. Capitalize on Summit down time to explore museum exhibits (free with your registration), accessed from the light-filled stair tower. HCC breaks the mold of dungy conference center basements with ample natural light, floor to ceiling windows and comfort across each Studio Session room.
Perspectives
STORIES, PEOPLE, PARTNERS, PROJECTS
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion comes alive in the wealth of perspectives the Summit brings to the table. Our lineup of 80+ speakers spans partnerships with more than 50 organizations worldwide representing urban planning, community development, social + environmental justice, public policy, city leadership and academic research. We’ll intersperse diverse plenary content (spanning TED style keynotes, rapid-fire interviews, panel conversations, tabletop discussions and work sessions) with stories of citizen activation and visual case studies of ecodistrict design.
Mobile Tour (by Bike)
FOUR COMPELLING DISTRICT TOURS
On day three, step inside Denver’s urban regeneration story. Take a B-Cycle bike tour along the Platte River Cherry Creek Trail to experience connectivity, resource restoration and health district design in the making while speaking to the very pros who’ve led this stunning infrastructure initiative. Explore a before-and-after study of place-based affordable neighborhood development and meet one of the nation’s leading equitable housing experts from the Denver Housing Authority. Discover how a single historical renovation can spearhead a multi-block economic development surge and world-class transit hub at Denver’s iconic Union Station. Snap photos of stunning murals and meet with local business owners in the up-and-coming RiNo District, or unwrap the grit and jazz history of the renovated Five Points neighborhood.
Block Party, Denver Style
TUESDAY NIGHT AT THE ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE COLORADO
We’ll once again take the Summit outdoors and down into LoDo for an evening of music, street food, Colorado libations, and great conversation. The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado has long been the center for Denver and the state’s sustainability movement and is a proud host for this year’s “Block Party.” Taste delicious fair from local food cart vendors (and small business success stories) the Taste of the Philippines and La Chiva. Sip New Belgium Brewing craft beer and hand-made margaritas from LoDo local, Coyote Gold. Experience live visual art, and kick back to lively music from DJ Adam Kremer who daylights as a water resource engineer.