
2025 eSummit Agenda

Four Packed Days of Learning, Networking, & Collaboration
A WHOLE LIFECYCLE APPROACH WITH ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS, ALL IN ONE PLACE
FULL LINEUP AND DESCRIPTIONS COMING SOON
Subject to change
Kickoff - Monday, September 8
FACILITY TOURS
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Kick off your eSummit 2025 Experience in a Dynamic Way
On Monday, September 8th, start things off with an unforgettable road trip to Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations—where buzzwords like “circular economy” come to life in real time.
Departure from the Renaissance Minneapolis, The Depot: 8:00 AM
On the Road: Coffee, water, donuts, pastries, and Road Trip Bingo with prizes
Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations Facility Tour: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Lunch at Red Pines: 1:00 – 2:15 PM
Return Trip with beverages and snacks: 2:30 – 5:00 PM
Back in Minneapolis in time for the eSummit Welcome Reception at 5:30 PM
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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Since 1997, Integrated Recycling Technologies (IRT) has been providing electronics recycling services nationwide to data centers, banks, schools, government agencies, and other recyclers. With a commitment to safety, speed, and precision, IRT serves North America and beyond. Whether it’s dismantling data centers, managing large-scale cleanups, or supporting emergency recovery efforts, IRT brings together experienced crews, specialized equipment, and a can-do attitude to handle complex, high-stakes projects with confidence. IRT will provide transportation from the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, to the IRT facility, and back. Lunch will be provided on the return trip.
10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
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Join 56+ ITAD professionals for this unique opportunity to explore some of the most innovative ITAD facilities in the region, connect with fellow industry members, and see best practices in action.
📅 Monday, September 8
🕘 Departs 9:00 AM from the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel
🍽️ Includes breakfast, lunch, and cocktails
🏢 Alta Technologies Inc, Vibrant Technologies, and Data Sales Co.
🕓 Returns by 4:00 PM, just in time for the eSummit Opening Reception
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
REPAIR MEETUP
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Torx, tri-point, tri-wing, two-hole spanners...what are the best tools for the seemingly infinite number of screw types that come across your workstation? Whether fixing a charging port, a sim tray, or loosening the adhesive to remove a battery, repair shops and refurbishers face real challenges when working on devices. Are the manuals accessible on a wiki to fix that phablet? Can you find that unique part from your list of trusted suppliers, or do you need a 3D printer to make it? Is there a good software solution to diagnose or update the firmware? These are just a handful of challenges to repair. This interactive meetup is designed specifically for front line repair professionals to share the real-world struggles you face every day and to learn from others facing the same challenges. This is also your time to give firsthand feedback to OEMs and get insight into what you'll be seeing come through your shop next. eSummit is inviting everyone working in test and repair to participate in this workshop to share real world knowledge. Let's keep building the repair movement and close the loop for better product design in the future. It's Free!
After the Meetup, move to the free eSummit Monday Evening Reception to continue the conversations with an even wider range of people working across the entire electronics lifecycle.
We know how critical a vibrant repair ecosystem is to making electronics sustainable, and the eSummit is built for real learning and connections. Whether you just attend the Meetup, grab a one-day Expo+ Pass, or stay for the whole eSummit, we want you to be part of the conversation!
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Sponsored by
EVENING RECEPTION
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Great Hall
Welcome Reception
Sponsored by
Day 2 - Tuesday, September 9
EXPO+
8 a.m. - 9 a.m. - Expo Hall
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Our Tuesday Breakfast takes place in the Expo Hall, and additional food is available throughout the day.
MORNING: 8 A.M. - NOON
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The R2 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is the multi-stakeholder group that develops revisions to the R2 Standard. The R2 TAC consists of representatives from key stakeholder groups, including entities covered by the standard; customers of these entities; and regulatory agencies, public interest groups, and other interested stakeholders. It serves as the cornerstone of R2’s credibility and integrity. Open to the public, the R2 TAC Meeting at the eSummit 2025 will continue the conversations of this group in person. For those members of the public who would like to attend, there will be an opportunity for public comment.
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The landscape of regulatory approaches - particularly Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws - continues to evolve for the electronics industry in the U.S. The Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse (ERCC) will host a workshop with two panels on this shifting landscape. The first panel will review changes to State electronics EPR laws in Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey and Oregon and compare recent trends across programs. The second will focus on EPR laws that are also being developed and, in some cases, passed for batteries and solar panels. How do these new programs overlap with electronics containing batteries, and does it differ for embedded batteries vs removable? We will discuss challenges with battery-containing devices, solar panels, and emerging approaches to their management.
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What's new in the world of repair? From AI-powered diagnostic tools that make troubleshooting faster to innovative products that simplify complex repairs, this Innovation Stage session showcases the latest advances transforming the repair industry. Discover cutting-edge tools and technologies that are making repair easier, faster, and more accessible for technicians at every level. Whether you're a small repair shop or a large-scale operation, learn about the innovations that can help you repair more devices, more efficiently.
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Thousands of perfectly functional devices become worthless for reuse due to security features like Find My iPhone, MDM locks, and administrative controls. School districts struggle with locked Chromebooks, businesses face fleet-wide security barriers, and the manual unlocking process doesn't scale. This session explores practical solutions for balancing essential security with legitimate reuse needs, featuring automated approaches that work at enterprise scale.
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In an era of high-profile thefts and EPR double-counting, traceability has never been more critical. This session showcases new technologies and platforms for tracking devices from collection through final processing. Learn about innovations in transparency reporting, informal sector integration, and meeting EPR targets with verifiable data.
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Tariffs, Basel Convention changes, and market volatility are reshaping the economics of ITAD. This focused session examines how current economic forces impact device values, from COVID-era highs to today's reality. Learn practical strategies for navigating price fluctuations, regulatory changes, and shifting market dynamics in the reuse sector.
LUNCH
Noon - 1 P.M.
Expo Hall
AFTERNOON: 12:30 P.M. - 5 P.M.
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Can't ship electronics to the same places you used to? Wondering where materials can legally go? This session maps the new reality of global materials movement post-Basel amendments. Understand how regulatory changes and tariffs are reshaping processing options and discover alternative markets for responsible materials management.
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Data sanitization now expands beyond traditional computers to wearables, appliances, cars, IoT devices, and everything in between. This session explores cutting-edge approaches to data removal that preserve device value, including remote wiping technologies and solutions for devices that can't be plugged in. Learn how innovation in logical sanitization is enabling more devices to be reused rather than destroyed.
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Better quality supply channels that create opportunities to consistently source high-value electronics. That is the answer to the question, ‘How Do I Grow My Business?' This session will explore those opportunities you need to learn about and how to qualify to buy on those auctions or build a relationship to service those channels.
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Incorporating AI into sorting and grading. Detecting batteries in products received. How do we solve the challenges in scaling recycling operations? Learn about a few new innovations in recycling that could help your business.
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Get a first-hand comparison of the difference between Grade A devices and HP Certified Refurbished. This live demonstration will show you exactly what to look for when sourcing quality refurbished equipment.
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Learn how component recovery is increasing the reuse of the parts, not just whole devices. Parts harvesting increases sustainability. Why recycle something that could be reused? Discover what’s new in robotics to make it happen at scale and speed.
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Ever hear of “Price Decay?” Electronics are a depreciating asset that requires quick turnarounds and the right resale platform for the right product. In this session, learn from reseller platforms how to achieve success in B2C sales of refurbished electronics.
EVENING RECEPTION SPONSORED BY
Sponsored by
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Join the action during Tuesday's evening reception as skilled electronics repair technicians go head-to-head in a high-energy competition! Race against the clock and your fellow repair pros to see who can disassemble, fix, and reassemble a device the fastest.
Day 3 - Wednesday, September 10
Fast Forward
8 a.m. - 9 a.m. - Expo Hall
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Breakfast takes place in the Expo Hall, and additional food is available throughout the day.
MORNING: 8:45 A.M. - 10 A.M.
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Brian Comiskey, CTA
The electronics industry is rapidly evolving, with AI and emerging technologies reshaping how we design, use, and manage devices. This forward-looking session explores what's hitting the market today and what's expected in the next 5-10 years. Understanding these trends now helps you plan for tomorrow's repair needs, trade-in programs, and end-of-life management. Join us to discover how anticipating technology shifts can transform your business from reactive to proactive.
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Linda Demmler, IBM; John Leiser, Lenovo; Spencer Hahn, Amazon
Is manufacturing shifting from China to India and Vietnam? Is used equipment finding new life in corporate IT markets? Are supply chains becoming circular? This session examines the forces reshaping the global electronics value chain and what these changes mean for your business. Learn how to navigate geographic shifts, capitalize on new reuse opportunities, and build resilience in an evolving landscape. Navigate your business to where we are going, not where we have been.
BREAK: 10 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.
MORNING: 11 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
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Nabil Nasr, Remade
New research from the UN Environmental Program (UNEP) International Resource Panel confirms what many in our industry have long suspected: extending product life through reuse, repair, and refurbishment delivers greater environmental benefits than recycling alone. This groundbreaking report presents data-driven findings on the environmental impact of product longevity and offers practical strategies for maximizing device lifespans. Discover how keeping products in use longer benefits both your bottom line and the planet. The research outlines recommendations for policymakers and business decision makers to address barriers to extending product lives.
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Scott Shackleford, Google; Andrea Murphy, Panasonic; Roberta Zouain, Intel; Cassie Gruber, Jabil
Every design decision involves trade-offs. Make it more repairable? It might be less waterproof. Build it to military specs? That may impact repairability. This session brings together manufacturers to explore how they're balancing competing priorities in product design. Learn about modular innovations, design for disassembly, and how manufacturers are planning for the full lifecycle from day one.
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Google is working across departments to make device repair as accessible as their search engine. This case study reveals how one of the world's largest tech companies is building repair ecosystems both internally and externally. Gain actionable strategies for developing repair programs that extend device life and enhance customer relationships.
LUNCH & LUNCHTIME SESSIONS: 12:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M.
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Your company already depreciates laptops and servers over four years. But what if you could apply that same logic to carbon? In this provocative session, we’ll explore how extending device life beyond the typical refresh cycle can unlock real, monetizable carbon avoidance—transforming what used to be a sunk cost into a new revenue stream.
Join us to discover:
How device lifecycle decisions can drive environmental benefits
Emerging models for valuing and trading carbon savings
Practical steps to turn sustainability choices into financial impact
EARLY AFTERNOON: 2 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
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Lauren Phipps, MOLG
With domestic manufacturing, sourcing, and processing in the spotlight, companies must navigate tariffs, transboundary goods movement, and shifting policies under the new administration. This session examines how to onshore Re-X activities to enhance supply chain resilience, mitigate risk, and promote circular material flows in an evolving global trade environment.
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Jordan Seilaff, Gierd
Speed and volume are everything in the reuse business - every day a device sits idle, it loses value. This session reveals proven strategies for scaling reuse operations across multiple channel partners with velocity. Learn how to accelerate the journey from product return to remarketing, streamline processing across complex supply chains, and maximize value recovery before depreciation eats away at profits.
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Warren Overton, SERI; Jhoanna Rosales, SERI; Dr. Sandip Chatterjee, SERI
Discover the real innovation and infrastructure development happening in emerging markets. This session showcases successful companies and thriving ecosystems across India, Latin America, and Australia. Learn about regional strengths, emerging opportunities, and areas for improvement. Explore how building local capacity everywhere creates partnership opportunities, because the future isn't about shipping materials back to developed nations - it's about developing infrastructure globally.
BREAK: 3:30 P.M. - 4 P.M.
LATE AFTERNOON: 4 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.
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What if doing good for people and doing good for business weren't mutually exclusive? From creating employment opportunities for groups who struggle to find work to new thinking to help bridge the digital divide, this session explores how businesses can generate social value while aligning with business objectives. Learn from organizations successfully integrating these strategies into their business models, from building community goodwill to accessing new markets.
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Global harmonization is central to successfully and quickly transitioning policies from linear waste management to a circular economy. Industry, government, and civil society experts will explore best practices to promote circularity and fresh perspectives for driving more consistent and effective outcomes.
EVENING RECEPTION
Expo Hall
Day 4 - Thursday, September 11
FORWARD TOGETHER
Workshop Sessions
Our Day Four “Forward Together” workshop sessions close out the eSummit with a collaborative bang! The idea was born from observing the conversations that spontaneously popped up throughout last year’s eSummit as panelists, other speakers, and audience members chatted between sessions. Designers talking to recyclers. Repair techs engaged with OEMs. And data experts talking with policymakers and IT asset managers. It became clear that these were people who don’t normally spend much time together, let alone collaborate on common problems.
Since all these stakeholders will be together at the eSummit, we saw a unique opportunity to foster those conversations, structured around the question, “How do we improve circularity at each stage of the electronics lifecycle?”
So, for half a day, you’ll join cross-functional teams at workshop-style tables to explore what’s possible along the entire electronics lifecycle, including:
Starting at the beginning, what’s needed to increase the amount of materials sourced through urban mining and decrease what is mined from the earth?
Then, how can we leverage design & manufacturing to enable greater repairability and recyclability?
Next up, the use phase. How can we keep devices in use longer through robust ecosystems that encourage repair and second and third use cycles? How can we combat product hibernation?
And finally, at the end of life, how can we optimize systems and reduce costs to maximize the amount of materials that stay in the system?
You’ll brainstorm, blue sky, and push current boundaries alongside manufacturers, transporters, retailers, recyclers, refurbishers, regulators, and others across the electronics ecosystem to develop practical solutions that will help accelerate our progress toward true electronics sustainability.
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