Santa Clara County is widely recognized as a hotbed of innovation, a melting pot of rich diversity, beautiful open spaces and an environment where ideas germinate and flourish. The county has also recently made national headlines for less positive news, however, including having some of the highest housing prices, highest homeless population and some of the worst traffic in the nation. Join Santa Clara…

Getting our business community, governments and cities ready to survive the next disaster Featuring a conversation on the resilience of cities' economic and infrastructure lifelines in the face of a disaster. Panelists will include SF City Administrator Naomi Kelly, SF Chief Resilience Officer Patrick Otellini , and policy expert Laurie A. Johnson AICP. They will discuss how we prepare for the significant investments we will…

With a dollar per square foot revenue that accedes grocers around the country, Bi-Rite has become a model for what an urban market can be. Bi-Rite owner Sam Mogannam talks about how the company continues to stay successful in a competitive environment while staying an engaged community business within the context of a rapidly changing city.

With a dollar per square foot revenue that accedes grocers around the country, Bi-Rite Family of Businesses has become a model for what an urban market can be. Bi-Rite Family of Businesses owner Sam Mogannam talks about how the company continues to stay successful in a competitive environment while staying an engaged community business within the context of a rapidly changing city.

Ken Rosen is Chair of the Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and will present his economic and real estate market outlook for San Francisco and how its market reflects the greater region, as well as the country.

Phil Matier and Andy Ross of the San Francisco Chronicle share their thoughts on the rapidly changing political landscape in San Francisco. With our continuing economic boom and changes in the political landscape across the Bay Area, what will the year ahead hold for the city and region? Matier and Ross weigh in with their predictions for 2015.

2014 was in incredibly strong year for the Bay Area, with numerous publications ranking the region as the top market for commercial real estate investment, while job and income growth continue to outpace the nation. However, an ever-tightening housing market and national trends may impact the boom. Join Mark Vitner, managing director and senior economist at Wells Fargo, for a commentary on the…

Dr. Jonathan Foley has dedicated much of his career to understanding how to feed 9 billion people while minimizing environmental destruction. In his new role as Executive Director of the California Academy of Sciences he takes a broad look at the most urgent threats facing Earth's organisms and ecosystems. Join him as he shares his thoughts on how museums and the private sector can partner…

Silicon Valley has long acted as the nation's top innovation incubator, with 1 in 8 registered patents originating from the region. The opening of a new United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in San Jose in early 2015 points to the South Bay continuing to be a hotbed of world-changing ideas far into the future. Join the USPTO's director, John Cabeca, for a conversation…

Once completed, California's high-speed rail system will create a transportation backbone for the state, connecting Sacramento to San Diego and up to 24 stations in between. The project will also spur the modernization of rail statewide. Join Jeff Morales, CEO of the California High Speed Rail Authority, for a discussion of the necessary steps still ahead for getting tracks laid and trains running.