Tuesday, October 28, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.)
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Opening Breakfast
Harvest new relationships and partnership opportunities at this farmers market-themed opening event!
9:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Opening Keynote
Introductory Remarks: What Does It Take for Business to Solve Problems for the Next 250 Years?

Keynote: Rebuilding Trust for an Optimistic Future
Declining trust in institutions and in each other, left unchecked, will stymy the progress and growth that we as individuals, communities, and a society have the potential to achieve. What does it look like to reverse the trust crisis in small ways?
Speaker Introduction By:

9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Morning Sessions
The first morning of Business Solves 2025 is a can’t miss moment—featuring civics and democracy, STEM workforce development, and an inside look at B2B consortiums driving social impact.
Panel: Civic Engagement as a Building Block for Future Growth and Prosperity

In Conversation With:


Purpose Talk

Gardner’s book, The Pursuit of HappYness was the inspiration for the critically acclaimed film in which Will Smith received the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Award nominations for his performance. His second book, “Start Where You Are,” also a best seller, was published in 2009. Gardner’s new book “Permission to Dream” was selected as “Book Of The Month” by the Wall Street Journal upon its publication.
Chris recently partnered with Transfr, Inc., the leading provider of virtual reality (VR) career training and exploration, to launch "Permission to Dream 2.0: Pathways to Success," to bring together Gardner’s inspirational programming with Transfr’s immersive career exploration and skills training to create career pathways and generational wealth-creation opportunities for individuals, including those from underserved communities. He will work with institutions in the U.S. to help learners access Transfr’s programs to prepare for meaningful, well-paying careers that don’t require a four-year degree.
Partnership Spotlight: Creating Systems-Level Change for Children


In Conversation With:

Sponsor Story

The Interrupt: Collaboration for Better Health
Businesses are stepping up to lift Americans’ health. But too often these initiatives aren’t connected enough to allow communities to thrive. An integrated approach across the full range of everyday factors shaping our health is needed. Hear from business leaders who are combining forces to make a greater impact.

12:15 - 1:15 p.m.
Impact Lunches and Networking
Child Care Features
Presentation: The Data Behind Child Care as an Economic Issue
Panel Discussion: A Hat Trick Approach to Child Care and Professional Sports


In Conversation With:
- For All Mothers+
- Special Olympics of Washington, D.C.
Solutions Desk Launch
Afternoon Sessions
Sustainable Agriculture

Sponsor Story:

Breakout Sessions
Choose from one of two topics at the heart of the U.S. Chamber Foundation's work:
- Business Participation on Local School Boards: Why It's Important and How to Get Started
- Civics Academy Trivia Game
More information on each topic, plus early sign ups, are coming soon.

Purpose Talk: How a Business Consortium Can Build Forward


Attendee Experience: The Upcycle Challenge
Niagara Cares, in partnership with Discovery Education and Filament Games, is bringing a fun and educational gamified experience to Business Solves, customized exclusively for our attendees. Become immersed in an eco-friendly adventure, complete with prizes and laughs.

Sponsor Activation:

Executive Fireside Chat: Maintaining Your True North Amid Complexity and Change

In Conversation With:

5:15 - 7:45 p.m.
Citizens Awards Ceremony and Winner Announcements

Citizens Block Party
Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Day 2 Networking Breakfast
Network with fellow attendees, sponsors, speakers, and U.S. Chamber Foundation issue leaders.
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Day 2 Sessions
Another fast-paced day awaits, rich with learning moments and spotlights on how business solves. Learn about programs and partnerships that support small businesses and entrepreneurs. Understand the community resilience-building practices at play across various industries, together making municipalities better prepared to reduce risk, prevent cascading impacts, and strengthen local capacity. Participate in a forward-looking conversation about upskilling and the future workforce.
Partnership Spotlights: Impact in Action with Small Businesses
Edward Jones and Small Business Financial Literacy Tools

Sponsor Story
FedEx and Accion Opportunity Fund


In Conversation With:

Panel: Multi-Industry Solutions for Resilient Communities
Panel: Successes in Employee and Workforce Upskilling


Sponsor Stories:


Piecing It All Together: Collective Takeaways from Business Solves 2025

12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Closing Networking Lunch
In Partnership with:

Optional Field Trip: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (2:15 - 4:15 p.m.)
Full information coming soon! Round-trip transportation will be provided for a visit to a community site in Southeast D.C., where an innovative corporate consortium is on the ground and at work with a local nonprofit organization to improve community health outcomes.