Rustbelts: The Emerging Hotspots of Global Innovation
Conventional wisdom says that cities such as Detroit, Toledo, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and the northern European economies have lost their innovation and competitive edge, along with their heavy manufacturing. “Tear them down and start over; they are the Rustbelt” is often heard. Our first dialogue of the 2016-2017 season will challenge that view, presenting compelling evidence that a combination of forces in these communities – visionary thinkers, local universities, regional government initiatives, startups and big corporation – have created “brainbelts” out of “rustbelts.”
Antoine van Agtmael coined the term “emerging markets,” was the principal founder and CEO of Emerging Markets Management LLC, and is now a senior advisor at Garten Rothkopf, a public policy advisory firm. He is also a Trustee of the Brookings Institute and the NPR Foundation. Following our discussion, there will be an opportunity to purchase a personally signed copy of “The Smartest Places on Earth; Why Rustbelts are the Emerging Hotspots of Global Innovation.”