NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Each year, the Annual Conference is the largest gathering of ANDE members. The event is targeted at senior executives of ANDE member organizations, including leading investors, capacity development providers, foundations, banks, corporations, DFIs, and research institutions. The highly interactive agenda features workshops on solutions to common challenges, networking sessions, and plenaries with leading thinkers in the Small and Growing Business (SGB) space.

This year, given the recommendations to continue social distancing practices as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, they are excited to convene members across geographies and time zones in a virtual format. To accommodate their global members, the conference’s core hours will be 8-11 am and 6-9:30 pm ET.

In response to ANDE’s strategy and current events, this year’s conference will focus on four thematic pillars:

1. Climate and Environmental Action: How can we support SGBs to scale to address climate change within their communities while increasing environmental sustainability in their own operations?
2. Gender Equality: How can we support women entrepreneurs and improve opportunities for women in the SGB sector?
3. Decent Work and Economic Growth: As COVID-19 has dramatically impacted SGBs, how can we ensure the sector continues to be a driver of economic growth in emerging markets?
4. Diversity and Equity in Action: How can we create equitable spaces, elevate underrepresented voices, and drive change towards justice within our own organizations and the broader SGB sector?

ANDE has designed an interactive and solution-focused event framework which will encourage opportunities for reflection and accountability in their actions. They hope that participants will feel reinvigorated and supported by this network to continue action beyond the event itself.

Please continue to refer to this page leading up to the event, as we will make updates as additional details are finalized.

Time: 8:00 – 11:00 AM ET & 6:00 – 9:30 PM ET

In the moment we’re in today — months away from a pivotal presidential election, in the midst of a global pandemic and a reckoning around social and racial justice in our country — many are concerned that climate issues may be pushed to the back burner.

Despite this, we’ve seen many climate activists become further galvanized by all that’s happening, pointing out how climate justice and racial justice are inextricably linked and warning that the horrors of the coronavirus pandemic are merely a dress rehearsal for what’s to come in a scenario of unchecked climate change.

Join Hannon Armstrong CEO Jeffrey Eckel and 3BL Media on September 22 at 1 p.m. ET for a conversation on how business leaders can harness the moment we’re in to push for greater urgency on climate action.

Hannon Armstrong is the first U.S. public company solely dedicated to investments in climate change solutions, providing capital to leading companies in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainable infrastructure markets.

Time: 1 PM ET