FAQ

What is The National Summit?
The National Summit was convened by the Detroit Economic Club (DEC) on June 15-17, 2009.  It engaged top business, government and academic leaders with participants to focus on four issues of vital importance to America’s future in the global economy – Technology, Energy, Environment and Manufacturing.  In December, the DEC revealed America’s To-Do list – the consensus policy recommendations developed at The National Summit.   Those recommendations also will be presented in Washington and discussed at DEC meetings throughout the year.

Who are some of the prominent leaders who were there?
The list of leaders who attended The National Summit reads like a “Who’s Who” of some of the most influential people of our times. Co-Chairpersons are William Clay Ford, Jr., Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company, and Andrew Liveris, Chairman & CEO of The Dow Chemical Company. Click here to see the complete list of speakers.

What was the format for The National Summit?
Each day of The National Summit started with a general session featuring a panel of nationally recognized, cross-industry business, government, academic and other leaders who discussed Technology, Energy, Environment and Manufacturing in the context of a global economy. Concurrent Town Halls followed, each comprised of 300-400 in-person participants. The discussion was moderated by a prominent journalist and led by a four-person leadership team, (comprised of two CEOs, a senior government official and an academic or other expert). Daily "Summit Up" closing sessions, comprised of cross-industry CEOs, senior government officials and other prominent leaders, summarized the ongoing discussion and reported the findings of the electronic voting data collected at the Town Halls. Throughout the three-day summit, corporations, entrepreneurs, universities and others across America showcased and celebrated their breakthrough ideas for the future at
The National Summit Innovation Expo.

What is the format for The National Summit?
Each day of The National Summit starts with the Kickoff -- a general session featuring a panel of nationally recognized, cross-industry business, government, academic and other leaders who discuss Technology, Energy, Environment and Manufacturing in the context of a global economy. Concurrent Town Halls follow, each comprised of 300-400 in-person participants. The discussion is moderated by a prominent journalist and led by a four-person leadership team, (comprised of two CEOs, a senior government official and an academic or other expert). Daily "Summit Up" closing sessions, comprised of cross-industry CEOs, senior government officials and other prominent leaders, summarize the ongoing discussion and report the findings of the electronic voting data collected at the Town Halls. Throughout the three-day summit, corporations, entrepreneurs, universities and others across America showcase and celebrate their breakthrough ideas for the future at
The National Summit Innovation Expo.

What key topics were discussed?
Technology, Energy, Environment and Manufacturing – within the context of a global economy – were the focus of
The National Summit.

How did The National Summit differ from other gatherings?
The National Summit was highly interactive, with direct access to top business, government and academic leaders as a key hallmark. There were unparalleled opportunities to listen, learn and interact with the nation’s most innovative and forward-thinking executives and scholars. Another unique feature of The National Summit was the development of specific measurable outcomes that include a list of critical issues in each discipline, a vision for the future and a list of the policy actions required to achieve that vision – what’s being called America’s To-Do list.

What was “The Town Hall of Town Halls?”
The Town Hall of Town Halls was a 300-400 person interactive experience moderated by a prominent journalist and led by a leadership team typically comprised of two CEOs, a senior government official and an academic or other expert. Each of the concurrent Town Halls focused on a specific topic within The National Summit disciplines of Technology, Energy, Environment and Manufacturing. Town Halls were scheduled in a way that allowed participants to attend at least one Town Hall on each of the four disciplines.

What was the format and timing for each Town Hall?
Each Town Hall ran 90 minutes: 30 minutes for an overview, 45 minutes for moderated discussion, and 15 minutes for audience participation and questions.

Who attended the Town Halls?
Participants of The National Summit signed up to attend any of the concurrent Town Halls on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Who led the Town Halls?
Each Town Hall was led by a pre-determined four-person leadership team, typically comprised of two CEOs, a senior government official and an academic or other expert, and moderated by a prominent journalist.

What is the anticipated outcome of each Town Hall?
The results of each Town Hall will be tabulated, reviewed and used to help develop a set of policy recommendations – America’s To-Do list.

What was the Innovation Expo?
In addition to interactive discussions with our nation's top leaders, The National Summit featured an Innovation Expo, a technology showcase and best practices workshop that celebrated and accelerated American innovation. Along with an area for exhibits, the Innovation Expo offered Breakthrough U - expert-led workshops, online training tools, and one-on-one mentor sessions to assist individuals and organizations in adopting practices that maximize innovation. It also provided directed activities and support tools to help participants connect with, collaborate on and further develop the breakthroughs presented at the Innovation Expo. 

CLICK HERE for a Breakthrough U progam agenda.