PALM SPRINGS, CA--(Marketwire - Jan 18, 2012) - International Business Forum (IBF) and Clean Edge announced today that 400 executives from more than 100 of America's leading companies and investment firms are slated to participate in the 8th Annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit on February 1-2 in Palm Springs, California to foster innovation and investment opportunities in clean technologies. The Summit is chaired by Technology Partners' Ira Ehrenpreis and co-produced by Clean Edge and International Business Forum. Every year the Summit convenes the who's-who of the clean-tech sector including entrepreneurs, investors and service providers.

"This is one of the rare times when the sector's most influential thought leaders gather in a remote location, outside of a major city to discuss critical issues and opportunities facing the clean-tech sector," said Summit Co-Producer and IBF Chief Strategy Officer Craig Simak. "High level networking in Palm Springs is a big part of the agenda. And this year's Summit will feature some of the most provocative, compelling, and candid presentations from some of the greatest minds in the industry."

This year's keynote speakers include:

• Michael Allman, President and CEO, Southern California Gas Company on "The Role of Natural Gas in the Sustainable Energy Future"
  
  
• Stuart Hart, Professor of Management at Cornell University's Johnson School of Management and Author on "Investing in Clean Tech at the Base of the Pyramid"
  
  
• Dr. Daniel Kammen, Technology and Finance Innovator, Chief Technical Specialist for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency - World Bank on "Sustainable Energy for All: What is Taking so Long?"
  
  
• Hunter Lovins, Climate Innovator, President and Founder, Natural Capitalism Solutions; Coauthor, "Climate Capitalism" for an inspirational keynote
  
  
• Dr. Arun Majumdar, Research Innovator, Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) on "The Future of Energy Innovation"
  
  
• Mark L. Vachon, Vice President, GE ecomagination for a luncheon keynote
  
  
• Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on "Building Out the Smart Grid"
  
  
• Dan Yergin, Author, "The Quest" and Chairman, IHS CERA will touch on highlights from his new book which will be given out to all summit attendees
  

Additional prominent speakers include:

• Bill Ritter, Former Governor of Colorado and Director, Center for the New Energy Economy
  
  
• Russ Landon, Managing Director, Clean Technology Practice, KeyBanc Capital Markets
  
  
• Clint Wilder, Clean Edge Senior Editor
  
  
• Dan Esty, Connecticut Energy and Environment Commissioner and Green to Gold Coauthor
  
  
• Denis Giorno, Vice President of new ventures for the Gas & Power division of Total S.A.
  
  
• Ira Ehrenpreis, General Partner, Technology Partners on the outlook on the state of the Clean-Tech industry
  
  
• Lorie Wigle, General Manager, Eco-Technology Program Office, Intel
  
  
• Michael Horwitz, Senior Clean Technology Research Analyst, Baird
  
  
• Rick Needham, Director, Energy & Sustainability, Google
  
  
• Rob Bernard, Chief Environmental Strategist, Microsoft
  
  
• Ron Pernick, Managing Director Clean Edge, Inc. and Coauthor, The Clean Tech Revolution
  
  
• Tom Werner, Chief Executive Officer, SunPower Corporation
  

Those interested in attending the event should visit: www.cleantechsummit.com

Members of the media interested in covering the summit and seeking interviews with any of the summit speakers should contact Andrew Haag, Managing Partner at IRTH Communications at info@irthcommunications.com or 310-425-3315.