Leading the Way

BUSINESS CASUAL Conference participants listened intently to experts on a variety of topics and mingled afterwards at dinner outdoors.

More than 100 identified trends, insights, findings, and expert thoughts were shared during the Outlook conference held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort recently. Speakers addressed a spectrum of topics critical to the region: innovation, transportation, Metro, infrastructure development, workforce trends, personalized medicine, and updates to Union Station in DC and the Port of Baltimore.

The annual conference gathers business leaders across the Greater Washington region to learn from each other in formal sessions and casual gatherings, where they mingle and converse during an al fresco dinner followed by dessert around a fireplace.

The timely topics and expert insight created a lively discussion among conference participants, who gained critical insight and competitive advantage in their respective industries.

A major takeaway from the Outlook conference was the omnipresence of technology. 3D printing is simplifying the manufacturing of products by eliminating the need to import/ export parts and by significantly cutting down time. Pediatric care is surging ahead through innovation in genetics at Children’s National Medical Center and the Children’s Research Institute. People are connecting with others through members-only networks of talent to complete projects. Workforce trends are guided by the interconnectivity of technology and the pushback against time spent commuting.

by RIN-RIN YU

“Ninety percent of the world’s information has been produced in the last 24 months,” noted Alec Ross, a distinguished visiting fellow at the Johns Hopkins University and author of the bestselling book, Industries of the Future. During his session, he talked about the exponential growth of world connectivity through devices, and how in four years, it will grow from 16 billion to 40 billion devices. “It will create entirely new industries, and impact agriculture, real estate, so many who contend with the forces and effects of digitization.”

Connectivity is already happening at Children’s National Medical Center, said Marshall Summar, chief of genetics and metabolism at Children’s. Doctors are diagnosing genetic syndromes using smartphone apps and photos taken that analyze symptoms from the images. They’re rehearsing open-heart surgery on 3D printed copies of the child patient’s heart which cuts surgery time down by half.

Prince George’s County-based company Local Motors, which specializes in 3D printing, echoes Ross’ sentiments regarding technology’s impact on new industries. Local Motors currently prints cars, drones, and other vehicles, using far fewer components and smaller factory space. It’s even created a self-driving bus. “With our approach, we can disrupt this system and disrupt anything,” said David Woessner, general manager of Local Motors.

As technology continues to shake up industries nationwide and in the Greater Washington region, and more people and things are connecting through the cloud, Ross cautioned about connectivity’s vulnerability to cyberattacks. Cybersecurity as an industry, he said, will continue to grow, and due to its proximity to the government, the Greater Washington region is poised to be in the center of it.

However, technology’s growth also means changes in tomorrow’s skills and knowledge. “Real leaders of our companies and tomorrow’s workforce will be interdisciplinary leaders,” Ross said. “They are understanding of the technical side, but will marry that understanding with expertise that we normally associate with the humanities, communications skills, and behavioral psychology.”

by JEAN DIMEO