Sacramento is one of the nation’s leaders in green technology innovation, clean technology application and sustainable community strategies. Where these sectors converge in our region will be explored at a new Sacramento Metro Chamber forum, Innovate 2010, set for Friday, Nov. 19 at the Hyatt Regency.

Innovate is designed to “connect the dots” between previously separate industries—from energy and telecom to home construction and consumer products. With new technologies emerging, the Sacramento region is uniquely positioned to leverage this convergence of industries to create jobs, advance sustainability and create an economic competitive advantage. In fact, local economist Dr. Robert Fountain said recently that innovation—the region’s hallmark—will be the key to Sacramento ’s economic recovery.

“We can no longer look to the public sector or to the construction industry to pull us out of this economic malaise,” said Matt Mahood, president & CEO. “In the new economy, technology and innovation combined with entrepreneurship and financial investment will nurture and grow this new convergence of ideas creating new links among industry sectors for our region and in it, creating new jobs for our residents.”

Featured Speakers are Professor Andrew Hargadon, faculty director, UC Davis Center for Entrepreneurship; and Jonathan Spalter, chairman, Mobile Futures.

A panel on the “Business Case for Quality of Life—Health, Education, Housing and More” will include Sandy Kirschenmann, vice chancellor for resource planning with the Los Rios Community College District; Randall Lewis, sustainable communities expert for the Lewis Group of Companies and Mark Wilhelm of GE.

Innovate will be held 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., starting with a buffet lunch and followed by the featured speakers and the panel discussion.