Region’s top leaders pack Joint Venture conference for Index findings, economic panels, Richard Florida keynote, candidates’ views and even a few laughs

February 12, 2010 - More than 1000 of Silicon Valley’s top business executives, government officials, community leaders, citizens and media crowded into San Jose’s McEnery Convention Center today for “State of the Valley,” our region’s annual conference.

Attendees heard from the leaders of Joint Venture and Silicon Valley Community Foundation on the sobering findings of the 2010 Silicon Valley Index (see article below) and were updated on the future of Silicon Valley’s economy and health care by panels of experts. Keynote speaker economist-author Richard Florida described the global economic “reset” and long-term lifestyle changes now underway, and how they will affect Silicon Valley. Comedian Will Durst had the crowd laughing with his political satire.

State woes, stiff global competition hamper region’s resiliency
Annual report examines latest trends in Valley economy, workforce, education, society, government

February 11, 2010 – The economic recession has stalled Silicon Valley’s vibrant innovation economy and left its global competitive standing at risk as never before, according to the 2010 Silicon Valley Index released today by Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network and Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

The comprehensive yearly study on the economic strength and overall health of Silicon Valley reveals that rapid economic growth in other countries, coupled with California’s legislative gridlock, is draining the lifeblood of funding and foreign talent from Silicon Valley, leaving recovery in a “new phase of uncertainty.”

Silicon Valley gears up to change its course

February 12, 2010 - Joint Venture and Silicon Valley Community Foundation announced plans today at the annual State of the Valley conference to form a regional initiative aimed at securing more federal funds for Silicon Valley.

With a grant from the community foundation, Joint Venture will hire a “special ops” director and convene a steering committee of top regional organizations vested in the economic vitality of the region. They include the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and Stanford University.

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, co-chair of the Joint Venture board of directors, praised the initiative and said he will continue to push for federal innovation funds.

Varian and United Way Executive Honored for Leadership, Service to Region

Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network has announced that Varian Medical Systems board chair and longtime Silicon Valley community leader Richard M. Levy is the recipient of the 2010 David Packard Award. 

“Richard Levy’s long record of selfless personal and professional commitment to our region made him the unanimous choice of the jury,” said Russell Hancock, president and CEO of Joint Venture.

“He has been willing to step outside his normal role in order to tackle hard problems,” Hancock added.