Transatlantic Industrial Renewal – Online Conference on Successful Transformation

10:00 am — 12:00 pm EDT

In light of unprecedented democratic backsliding in the US and a deepening industrial crisis in Germany, core industrial regions and cities stand at the forefront to renew both democracy and the economy. From swing districts in the Midwest to manufacturing hubs along the Rhine-Ruhr, these heartlands have become decisive electoral arenas. How can political leadership best value industrial heritage, steer locally rooted innovation and provide lasting economic opportunity?

Das Progressive Zentrum, in cooperation with the Progressive Policy Institute (Washington, D.C.) and the BMW Center for German and European Studies at Georgetown University, cordially invites you to a dialogue from heartland to heartland, city to city across the Atlantic. Join us to discuss with leading US and German decision- and change-makers who are shaping the future of the places that matter. 

Drawing on three years of empirical research, polling and policy advice from the joint project “Transatlantic Dialogue on the Industrial Heartlands: Shaping the Future”, the conference will discuss actionable recommendations to advance heartland revitalisation and create momentum for tangible subnational diplomacy and inter-city cooperation.

Speakers include, among others:

• Steve Patterson, Mayor of Athens, Ohio, and President, National League of Cities
• Paige Cognetti, Mayor of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Democratic Candidate for the 2026 U.S. Congressional Elections 
• Doreen Mohaupt, Mayor of Cottbus, Brandenburg
• Thomas Kralinski, Former State Secretary, Saxon Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour, and Energy

The conference will begin with policy recommendations from our fellows to frame a high-level panel discussion, followed by parallel breakout sessions that explore specific policies and strategies through active audience participation. The event will be conducted in English under the Chatham House Rule. Access details for the Zoom platform will be provided upon confirmation of your registration.

Florian Ranft

Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung und Leitung | Green New Deal

Axel Ruppert

Projektmanager

Where & when