The Future of Fremont

June 18, 2026 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM (PDT)

Description

With more manufacturing jobs than any other city in California, Fremont continues to attract top talent and innovative startups.

Advanced Manufacturing Boom Beyond Tesla

Fremont is doubling down as the "hardware side of Silicon Valley," with projects like the Palisade Fremont Innovation Center adding nearly 70,000 square feet of advanced manufacturing space and more than 100 high-tech jobs. The city hosts over 900 manufacturing companies, accounting for one in four local jobs.

Why it matters: Panelists can explore how Fremont is succeeding where other Bay Area cities struggle - retaining physical production at scale.

Keynote 
Mayor Raj Salwan, City of Fremont

Fireside Chat 
Rohan Brown, Executive Director - Innovate Bay,  San Francisco Bay University
Moderator: Gary J Boulanger, Editor-in-Chief, Silicon Valley Business Journal

Panel Topic - Fremont at the Front Line: Manufacturing, Robotics and the Future of the Bay Area Economy
Vartan Djihanian, Director of Global Government Affairs, Lam Research Corp
Donovan Lazaro, Economic Development Director, City of Fremont
Matthew Taylor, Executive Vice President, CBRE
Moderator: Alastair Goldfisher, Digital Managing Editor, Silicon Valley Business Journal

AGENDA
8am: Registration and Breakfast
9am: Welcome Remarks
9:10am - 9:20am: Keynote from Mayor Raj Salwan
9:20am - 9:35am: Fireside Chat with Rohan Brown
9:35am - 10:15am: Panel Discussion
10:15am - 11am:  Networking, Event Concludes

Keynote: Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan

Fireside Chat: Rohan Brown, Innovate Bay

Panel: Vartan Djihanian, DGA Lam Research

Panel: Donovan Lazaro, Fremont Economic Development

Panel: Matthew Taylor, CBRE