MAKING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS ACROSS THE ELECTRONICS LIFECYCLE
Electronics are the backbone of modern life, transforming how we learn, connect, work, and play. Yet with this technological integration comes a responsibility to ensure these devices benefit both people and our planet throughout their entire lifecycle.
At SERI, we envision a world where electronics contribute positively to society rather than becoming environmental challenges. We believe meaningful progress happens when diverse perspectives unite behind a shared purpose. And we know that collaboration across traditional boundaries can bring far more than any organization could accomplish alone.
This vision—and the understanding that no single organization or sector can achieve it in isolation—is precisely why we created the Electronics Sustainability Summit.
GOING BEYOND THE TRADITIONAL CONFERENCE MODEL
The SERI team has attended industry events for over a decade to present, listen, network, and learn. Through this engagement, we’ve observed countless conferences serving their communities brilliantly, showcasing cutting-edge manufacturing innovations, advancing recycling technologies, navigating the complex world of regulatory compliance, and so on.
Through our participation, though, we saw an opportunity to complement those events with something unique: a dedicated space where professionals from every phase of the electronics lifecycle could connect directly with counterparts they rarely encounter elsewhere and drive sustainability.
What could happen when we create these unexpected connections?
Imagine product designers hearing directly from recyclers about which materials are especially challenging to recover. Or refurbishment specialists showing OEMs exactly how small design changes could multiply a device’s potential second life. Or sustainability executives from major brands discussing implementation challenges with the ITAD providers who handle their retired equipment.
These are the conversations that spark real progress, yet they rarely happen outside of chance meetings or one-off initiatives. In our eyes, the electronics industry needed a dedicated space where these cross-sector exchanges weren’t just possible but the primary focus.
ALL THE RIGHT PEOPLE, ALL IN ONE PLACE
This recognition of the power in cross-sector dialogue led naturally to our guiding principle for the eSummit–bringing together all the right people, all in one place.
The eSummit differs from traditional conferences by purposefully blending perspectives that too often remain siloed. Instead of sessions where subject matter experts primarily engage with those in their own field, they’re now in an environment where diverse viewpoints converge and interact. This design is intentional at every level, from our session structures to networking opportunities, from exhibit hall layout to evening receptions. Each element is crafted to facilitate meaningful exchanges.
As a multi-day nexus of these types of interactions, the eSummit creates something genuinely powerful. It’s not just knowledge sharing, but collaborative problem-solving that addresses challenges from multiple angles simultaneously. When diverse expertise focuses on common goals, practical solutions emerge that consider the full complexity of electronics sustainability. The eSummit’s integrated approach transforms theoretical concepts into actionable strategies, bridging “what if” and “here’s how” through the unique cross-pollination that only happens when all the right people gather in one place.
FROM VISION TO REALITY
Last year’s inaugural event in Austin validated this approach beyond our expectations. With over 60 exhibitors and hundreds of attendees representing every touchpoint in the electronics journey, we witnessed the power of cross-sector collaboration in action.
What made those three days truly special wasn’t just the diversity of perspectives throughout the conference; it was the depth and quality of engagement between them. Technical discussions sparked strategic partnerships. Competitive mindsets shifted toward collaborative problem-solving. Participants took home implementable ideas that embodied diverse viewpoints and business solutions uniquely shaped by the intersection of different roles across the electronics lifecycle. Best of all, existing relationships were strengthened, and meaningful new connections were formed.
The success of our first event validated our founding principle: the future of electronics sustainability depends on creating spaces where all voices from across the lifecycle can converge and focus their collective expertise on our shared challenges.
BUILDING ON THE EXPERIENCE FOR 2025
The momentum from our inaugural event is propelling us toward an even more impactful, engaging, and memorable eSummit in 2025. From September 8-11, we’ll gather in Minneapolis to build on what worked while introducing new opportunities for meaningful collaboration for attendees, exhibitors, speakers, and other partners and participants. This year’s event begins with a Monday facility tour provided by Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations (limited availability!) and member meetings, followed by Innovation Stage demonstrations and breakouts throughout the week, with much more to be announced still.
The 2025 program will also feature an expanded expo hall experience, more interactive problem-solving workshops, and curated networking opportunities throughout the event. Our Thursday format stands out as a unique half-day where cross-functional teams tackle key industry challenges through facilitated problem-solving workshops – transforming the week’s conversations into actionable strategies that embody what eSummit is about.
From the moment you arrive until the last hurrah on the final afternoon, the eSummit is packed with dedicated spaces showcasing innovation, strategic discussions, and collaboration that transcend traditional industry boundaries.
What remains constant is our commitment to bringing together all the right people in an environment purposefully designed to spark collaboration. Because ultimately, the eSummit’s success depends on one critical factor: YOU.
Whether you’re focused on designing more sustainable products, extending device lifespans, recovering more raw materials, or shaping and enabling policies, your voice is essential in the electronics conversation. The eSummit is where all the right people come together to contribute to our collective wisdom, find new solutions to complex challenges, and spark innovations that catalyze industry-wide transformation.
This is why we’re so excited to welcome you to Minneapolis this September. Your expertise and perspective exemplify exactly what we mean when we talk about bringing all the right people, all in one place.
JOIN ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING ELECTRONICS SUSTAINABILITY MOVEMENTS
Visit electronicssummit.org to learn more about this year’s ticket options, exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, and our full program as it develops. We also encourage you to join our eSummit mailing list for updates on speakers, agenda details, and important announcements for the 2025 event and beyond.
Minneapolis will be busy during our event dates, so accommodations are likely to fill quickly. Consider booking your stay at Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, where we’ve secured a room block with eSummit attendee rates. Being at the conference venue puts you at the heart of the action and ensures you won’t miss any networking opportunities. No matter where you stay, we encourage you to get your eSummit tickets and to secure your accommodations as soon as possible.
On behalf of the entire SERI team, we look forward to welcoming you to Minneapolis this September and can’t wait to see what innovations and collaborative breakthroughs the eSummit inspires.