Last night we saw over 100 friends, partners, and other supporters of urban sustainability at the CNT Reception. We’re excited to have been hosted by the Chicago Connectory, a great space created by Bosch and 1871 to help startups and thought leaders in the growing Internet of Things (IoT) field. I’d like to particularly thank Dennis Boecker, Bosch USA’s Global Lead for IT Innovation and co-founder of the Connectory, for hosting us and speaking to the guests; to SB Friedman as a lead sponsor for the event; and to all of CNT’s friends who continue to show their support for equitable and vibrant cities. It was energizing to have the opportunity to meet both longstanding CNT supporters and many guests whose first exposure to CNT was at this event.

So what emerged as themes from the evening? Regardless of who my conversations were with – real estate developers, community leaders, engineers, social entrepreneurs, tech sector professionals – I heard universal interest in CNT’s unique position at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and equity. Many people were interested in talking about our recent work on racial disparities in flooding damage, or about our online tools on topics like green infrastructure, poverty reduction, and transportation. And everyone had ideas for new projects that CNT could pursue.

Thank you for being there! View event photos on our Flickr page here. And if you couldn’t come, you can still attend the CNT Open House, December 4th at our offices. Let’s continue this conversation then!