Environmental, Media, Energy Leaders and Pioneers to Convene to Discuss the Future of Sustainability Storytelling at GW


March 29, 2018

MEDIA CONTACTS: 
Jason Shevrin: [email protected], 202-994-5631
Tim Pierce: [email protected], 202-994-5647
 
EVENT:
The George Washington University will host a diverse group of communicators, students, environmentalists and energy experts to examine the future of sustainability storytelling for the 2018 Planet Forward Summit. The conference includes major speakers and topics covering challenges and solutions related to food, water, energy, mobility, built environment, biodiversity and more.
 
The conference also will celebrate the best environmental storytelling told by college students by awarding the prestigious Planet Forward Storyfest Awards in front of a live audience. Grand prize winners will travel on a weeklong storytelling expedition with Planet Forward and its 2018 Storyfest partner, Lindblad Expeditions, to experience Alaska aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion cruise ship.
 
WHO:
Select speakers include: 
  • Nicholas K. Akins, chairman, president and CEO, American Electric Power
  • Imani M. Cheers, assistant professor of media and public affairs, GW
  • Dennis Dimick, editor emeritus, National Geographic 
  • Susan Eisenhower, president, The Eisenhower Group, Inc.
  • Denise Fairchild, president and CEO, Emerald Cities Collaborative
  • Hannah Fairfield, climate editor, The New York Times
  • Sven Lindblad, CEO and president, Lindblad Expeditions
  • Tom Lovejoy, university professor, George Mason University; known as the “Godfather of Biodiversity”
  • Bob Perciasepe, president, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
  • Chris Policinski, president and CEO, Land O'Lakes, Inc.
  • Theodore Roosevelt IV, managing director, Barclays
  • Frank Sesno, founder and host, Planet Forward; director, GW School of Media and Public Affairs
 
WHEN: 
Thursday, April 5, 2018; 8 a.m.-Friday, April 6, 2018; 1 p.m.
 
WHERE: 
The George Washington University
Media and Public Affairs Building 
Jack Morton Auditorium (ground floor)
805 21st St., NW
Washington, D.C.
Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro (Blue, Orange and Silver lines)
 
Some breakout sessions and keynote addresses will be held across the street at the Marvin Center, 800 21st St., NW. Specific locations are listed on the conference agenda. 
 
RSVP: 
Media interested in attending must contact Jason Shevrin at [email protected] or 202-994-5631. 
 
BACKGROUND:
More information about the event, including a full agenda and list of speakers, is available at http://www.planetforwardsummit.org. Follow the conversation on Twitter at the handle @planet_forward. Watch a live stream of the event at http://www.planetforward.org.
 
Planet Forward – a project of the Center for Innovative Media at GW’s School of Media and Public Affairs – teaches, celebrates and rewards environmental storytelling by college students. Engaging a diverse audience of college students from across the country, Planet Forward uses storytelling, media and educational events to tell the stories of invention and innovation that can move the planet forward.
 
-GW-