Festival of Ideas: Morning Symposium

This Festival will have an urban emphasis with potential for spin-off as you explore the theme for the day: "The Future Of..." Here are the topics, featured guests, and Dallas panelists:

“American Cities & Suburbs”: David Brooks, with Dr. Gail Thomas and Hon. Ron Kirk, moderated by Rod Dreher
“The Environment”: Elizabeth Kolbert, with Hon. Tom Leppert, Judy Pesek, and Michael Decker, moderated by Glenn Arbery
“Global Issues and their Local Impact”: Nicholas Kristof, with Lee Cullum and Dr. James Hollifield, moderated by Krys Boyd
“Race, Class, and the Law”: Maya Wiley, with Kim Askew and Marcos Ronquillo, moderated by Randy Gordon

The Festival will begin at 10 am and conclude at 4:30 pm, and the day will include three events for each of the keynoters and panelists:

10-11:30 am: Opening Symposium. On stage will be the four keynote guests and the Dallas’-best panelists, moderated by Ringmaster Michael Beschloss. Each keynoter will give a brief statement about “the future of” his or her field, and then the Ringmaster will get the interaction started.

1-2:30 pm: Four separate, simultaneous Focus Forums of 175-200 each: here the keynoter will give a presentation pertinent to the "Future Of..." theme and then will engage with the Dallas’-best panelists in the same field—also the audience—guided by an expert facilitator. 

3-4:30 pm: Four separate, simultaneous Roundtables of 25-30 people each: these are true seminars with Dallas leaders in a wide variety of fields. Around each table will be the featured speaker, the Dallas'-best panelists, and their expert facilitator. Silent-gallery seating included.