Greater Spokane Incorporated’s sixth annual State of the Green Economy panel discussion will focus on what role Inland Northwest businesses can play in the world of green energy. 

The panel discussion and reception will take place Oct. 15 in the Georgian Ballroom at the Spokane Club, at 1002 W. Riverside downtown. 

The doors will open at 3 p.m., and the panel discussion is slated to last from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. 

A reception will follow immediately and is scheduled to go until 6 p.m.

The panel will consist of Mark Lasswell, president and group chief executive for the civil infrastructure group at CH2M Hill, which is headquartered in Englewood, Colo., and has a Spokane office; Dr. Elson Floyd, president of Washington State University; and Philip Mezey, CEO and president of Liberty Lake-based  meter reading technology manufacturer Itron Inc. 

The panel will be moderated by Hal Calbom, founder of Seattle-based Sustainable Media Group. 

The panelists will address clean energy research, global smart energy, and smart water solutions. 

Each panelist will speak separately, followed by time allowed for questions from attendees. 

Last year’s panel featured keynote guest speaker Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee.

The event is sponsored by CH2M Hill and hosted by Greater Spokane Incorporated. Registration for members of GSI is $25, while nonmembers pay $35. 

After Oct. 13, members pay $30 and nonmembers pay $40. 

GSI is the Spokane area’s combined chamber of commerce and economic development council. Located at 801 W. Riverside downtown, the organization currently has about 1,200 members.