ICMA President-Elect Simon Farbrother, city manager, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, will join a panel to discuss
“The Innovation Metropolis:  How Universities, Companies, and Research Networks Are Reshaping the Economy,” during “The Global Metropolis” conference sponsored by CityAge. New York University will host the two-day event at its Skirball Center on June 18 and 19.

CityAge is a platform for dialogue designed to amplify new ideas in business, government, and society. CityAge holds events across North America to explore and develop the partnerships among business, decision makers, and thought leaders who are building the 21st century’s urban future.

The private sector, NGOs, universities, and cities are partnering to play key roles in developing the intellectual assets of local communities, spurring commercial success stories, according to the session description. During “The Innovation Metropolis,” panelists will discuss how these partnering strategies have allowed cities to compete in the 21st century’s global economy.   

“Communities today have to leverage all of their intellectual and business assets to be competitive,” says Simon. “It's not just a business prerogative; it's a quality–of–life issue. Communities need to attract and retain talent, integrate intellectual capacity, and bring ideas to market. Universities, colleges, and other academic institutions support and leverage this. Professional local government managers can and should play a leadership or catalyst role in moving their communities toward that end.”

Simon Farbrother has served as Edmonton’s city manager since January 2010, leading the city administration through a time of tremendous growth and transformation. He will begin his term as ICMA president at the organization’s 2013 annual conference in Boston. Simon has been named one of the province’s 50 most influential people by Alberta Venture magazine and was recently awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, which honors significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.  Simon has worked in municipal government since 1988. During his term as city manager of Waterloo, the city was named the International Intelligent Community of the Year by the Intelligent Community Forum.

More information on “The Global Metropolis” conference and the work of CityAge is available at cityage.tv/nyc/. 

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