The Annual STAR-TIDES Capabilities Demonstration showcases products and activities of the STAR-TIDES (Sharing To Accelerate Research – Transformative Innovation for Development and Emergency Support) global knowledge-sharing network, The network includes several thousand members engaged in building sustainable resilience, promoting human security, and creating life-changing social and economic activities. STAR-TIDES is coordinated through George Mason University’s Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities (C-RASC). This year's theme will be Adapting to Climate Change, emphasizing collaborative cross-sector approaches (such as energy + communications) to help communities adapt to the “new normal” of climate change in their region. As Thomas Freidman has pointed out, “it’s not the strongest, fastest, or smartest that survives, but rather the most adaptable.” In a change from previous years, STAR-TIDES will be held this year at Mason's Arlington campus (Mason Square) 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22201. Registration is free for attendees. See sponsorship registration link for details on sponsorship opportunities. Exhibits have now closed, although attendee and sponsorship registration is encouraged at any time. Most exhibits will be indoors, with the exhibit spaces immediately adjacent to the auditorium. A few adjacent outdoor areas provide space for larger exhibits. Exhibitors at the Mason event can register at no extra cost for the related TIDES event in the Pentagon Center Court on April 17-18.
Sunday, April 14th, 2024
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Setup displays as desired
Monday, April 15th, 2024
7:00 am - 9:00 am Setup displays
9:00 am – 10:00 am: Introductions and Morning Keynote: "From Threat Multiplier to Opportunity Multiplier," Climate Security, Innovation and Leadership for the 21st Century." Sherri W. Goodman, national security executive, public policy leader, board director, and lawyer. The author of the forthcoming book "Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadrship, & the Fight for Global Security, Ms. Goodman served as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Environmental Security). 10:00 am Displays open
10:00 am – 11:30 am: Panel: Promising Adaptations to Climate Change and Disruptions. Moderator: Sudha Balajapalli, PhD, (College of Science, George Mason University), Natalie Fiertz (Henry L. Stimson Center, Environmental Security Program), Francisco Aquino, (Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust), Iliad Terra (alfa8)
1130 am – 12:00 pm: Networking---visit exhibits
1200 pm – 1:00 pm: Luncheon Keynote: "Closing the Value-Action Gap: How to Invcentivze the Private Sector to Invest, at Scale, in Climate Resilience." Sharron Mcpherson, senior policy advisor on the intersection of climate, infrastructure and national security, senior adjunct in project finance, co-founder and CEO of Resilience Technologies:
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Panel: Empowering Communities through Collaboration (e.g. Power-Comms Cooperatives). Moderator: Linton Wells II, PhD, (founder, STAR-TIDES), Keone Nakoa (Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of the Interior), Javier Baella (REM COOP, Puerto RIco), Scott Sklar (The Stella Group), Tiffany Perry (FirstNet)
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Networking--Visit exhibits
3:30 pm – 4:45 pm: Collaborative Adaptation to Climate Change in Virginia—Jim Kinter (Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere (COLA) Studies), Leah Nichols (Institute for a Sustainable Earth), Demetra McBride (Arlington), Bob Lazaro (Northern Virginia Regional Commission—NVRC)
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Call to action panel. "How Government, Business, and Non-Profit Organizations Can Provide Opportunities for People to Make A Difference in Adapting to Climate Change." Claudia Nierenberg (NOAA Climate Program Office), Mr. Drew Bond (PowerField Energy, C3 Solutions), Dr. Sarah McCue (Axion, UN, World Bank)
6:15 pm – 8:00 pm: Keynote Reception
Tuesday, April 16th, 2024
Multifaceted engagement with exhibitors which will be organized to provide for substantive two-way exchanges
9:00 am: Displays Open 9:00 am – 1:00 pm: Windows available for visits to the Mason Innovation Lab, Smart Grid Lab, the new Fuse building, and Scott Sklar's Net Zero facility. Breakout rooms available for targeted visits with exhibitors, arranged in advance, by businesses, governments, communities, student groups, etc. 1:00 pm - 2:00 "shark -tank" - like pitches to accredited investors for feedback. 2:00-3:00 "Lighting Talks" (5 minute summaries of 3:00 pm Exchange of MOU between GMU C5I Center and EMP Shield Tech Lab, Inc,, of Tokyo
4:00 pm Exhibits close. Prepare for convoy to Pentagon on Wednesday, April 17th for those companies and organization who exhibited at Mason.
No host dinner (location TBD)
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm Set up exhibits in Pentagon Center Courtyard
12:00 pm -- 5 pm Exhibits open in Pentagon Center Courtyard
Thursday, April 18, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Exhibits Open in Pentagon Center Courtyard
4:00 pm STAR-TIDES 2024 closes
Future communications will have more about C-RASC and its projects, as well as STAR-TIDES initiatives.