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A visionary conference Velvet Innovation is coming to Brno. The keynote speaker is the "Godfather of

A visionary conference Velvet Innovation is coming to Brno. The keynote speaker is the "Godfather of Sustainability"

Do business Work Press release

22. October 2024

The international conference Velvet Innovation, set to take place on November 14 at the Passage Hotel in Brno, will welcome one of the world’s foremost experts on sustainable business, John Elkington. This year's conference theme is "Ambition (Un)locked."

A visionary conference Velvet Innovation is coming to Brno. The keynote speaker is the "Godfather of Sustainability"

John Elkington, often referred to as the "Godfather of Sustainability," is a renowned author, entrepreneur, and consultant in the field of sustainable development. He is the creator of the "Triple Bottom Line" concept and the phrase "People, Planet, and Profit," which form the foundation for thousands of sustainability-focused companies worldwide.

Elkington is the author of 20 books, including the bestseller Green Consumer Guide, and the founder of several key initiatives such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes and the Global Reporting Initiative. In 2009, he ranked 4th in the TOP 100 CSR list, right after Al Gore, Barack Obama, and Anita Roddick. His contribution to sustainable business was recognized in September 2021 when he received the prestigious World Sustainability Award.

“John excels in his ability to view sustainability comprehensively – from an ecological, economic, and social perspective. His talent lies in connecting these aspects and interpreting them in an accessible way,” explains Hanka Šudáková, the conference manager from the innovation agency JIC. “In his talk, John will focus on the future of sustainable solutions. What role will data, AI, and circular concepts play—and are already playing? How can companies prepare for a future characterized by exponential change, and why will such changes in the next ten to fifteen years far exceed those of the past half-century.”

This year’s conference theme, "Ambition (Un)locked," focuses on the role of ambition in innovation and sustainable development. The conference will explore how individual and collective ambitions influence the path toward sustainable growth. The program will concentrate on strategies that can help harness the potential of ambition while ensuring sustainability and resilience. “We will discuss the impact of ambition on sustainable business, technology, equality, and quality of life, how to overcome challenges associated with ambitions, and how to create environments where innovation and ambition can thrive in harmony with sustainability principles,” explains Hana Šudáková.

The conference will provide participants with an opportunity to meet international experts, some of whom will be visiting the Czech Republic for the first time. The invited speakers include leading experts in sustainable business and technology. In addition to John Elkington, the conference will feature several other prominent figures in the fields of innovation, sustainable business, and technology. Keynote speakers include Erinch Sahan from the Doughnut Economics Action Lab, who focuses on sustainable business models, Denny Royal, Global Director of Design at Tietoevry Create, an expert in innovative design inspired by natural processes, and Kaija Pöysti, an experienced angel investor, business coach, scientist, and the first female founder at the University of Helsinki.

For more information about the conference, visit the website.

Velvet Innovation Conference 2024

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