Living the New Economy Convergence

The first annual Living the New Economy Convergence will take place October 23-26, 2014 in Downtown Oakland. Attendees will gather to inspire new ideas and produce tangible projects that move the Bay Area closer to a New Economy. This event aims to convene and support all those who might contribute to an economy that is restorative to people, place, and planet, and that operates according to principles of democracy, justice and appropriate scale.

OAKLAND, CA – August 11, 2014 - A group of entrepreneurs, investors, community members, activists, and makers will gather in Downtown Oakland October 23-26 for the first annual Living the New Economy (LNE) Convergence. Nationally recognized keynote speakers Charles Eisenstein (author, Sacred Economics),Thomas Greco (author, The End of Money and the Future of Civilization), and Ian MacKenzie (filmmaker & media activist) will set the stage for a four-day exploration of local New Economy initiatives across issues such as: alternative money and finance, economic justice, housing access, neighborhood revitalization, food justice, and local manufacturing.

The first two days of the Oakland Convergence will feature panel discussions, presentations, and interactive workshops, punctuated by contributions from local performing artists. The second two days will find Convergence participants putting new ideas into action, developing projects in teams and pitching to a panel of judges on Sunday. Four projects will be selected for incubation with Uptima Business Bootcamp, an innovative member-owned business accelerator program.

October’s event is co-hosted by Bay Bucks, a regional currency and barter exchange for the Bay Area, and Uptima, both New Economy business ventures. “Since the recession in 2008, we’ve seen a lot of people re-thinking their assumptions about money, value, and exchange”, said Bay Bucks co-founder Kendra Shanley. “People are turning to their local communities, seeking alternative ways to get their needs met, and reconsidering their definitions of what success and prosperity look like.”

LNE Oakland is modeled after an event by the same name that started in Vancouver in 2012. Oakland is one of 18 cities around the world hosting a similar event this year, heralding a growing “New Economy” movement, characterized by the pursuit of an economy that is greener and more socially responsible, and one that favors resilient and responsive business practices over rapid exponential growth. Shanley observed, “This movement has been gaining momentum, but it’s at an inflection point now. People are ready for something different.”

Tickets and more information about the event are available at http://www.bayareaneweconomy.org

About Bay Bucks:
Bay Bucks enables local businesses to barter their excess inventory for things they need. For more information, visit http://www.baybucks.com

About Uptima Business Bootcamp:
Uptima Business Bootcamp provides entrepreneurs with access to hands-on education, resources and community to create thriving businesses. For more information visit http://www.uptimabootcamp.com