SSTI's 2024 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

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10:45am MST

Corporate connections: Engaging industry leaders for economic growth

Tuesday December 10, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm MST

Large corporations can be powerful allies in building vibrant local economies but effectively engaging them requires a nuanced approach. Join this session to discuss strategies for communicating with potential corporate partners and structuring efforts to keep them actively involved. Learn how to align your region's economic and talent development goals with various corporate objectives for mutually beneficial partnerships.

* This session is supported by the TBED Community of Practice. See https://ssti.org/tbedcop for more information.

Tuesday December 10, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm MST

Concurrent

10:45am MST

Intro to TBED: Why TBED?

Tuesday December 10, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm MST

Breakout A

Are you new to the technology-based economic development community (TBED)? This interactive session will introduce you to various aspects of this community. We’ll delve into the characteristics of an innovation ecosystem and explain why innovation and economic growth rely so much on collaborations among academia, industry, and government. We’ll talk about the necessity for technology entrepreneurship in economic development and demonstrate how you can empower entrepreneurs to turn ideas into successful businesses. And we’ll explain why you need to build a strong infrastructure to support all aspects of your TBED community. Come with your questions and leave with a basic understanding of how to determine your region's innovation strengths and weaknesses and how to build a strategy for your region.

* This session is supported by the TBED Community of Practice. See https://ssti.org/tbedcop for more information.

Speakers

Judith Sheft

Executive Director, New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology

Judith Sheft is the executive director of the New Jersey Commission of Science, Innovation and Technology. The Commission's mission is to accelerate economic development by stimulating academic-industrial collaboration and encouraging and supporting entrepreneurs and inventors... Read More →

Jerry Coughter

Program Director, SSTI

Jerry Coughter is a program director for SSTI’s TBED Community of Practice. He previously served as the founding executive director of the Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte, assistant vice president for economic development at George Mason University, and executive director of the... Read More →

Tuesday December 10, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm MST
Breakout A

Concurrent

10:45am MST

Leveraging SBIR awards for regional development

Tuesday December 10, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm MST

Breakout C

This discussion session will focus on states that have robust strategies for encouraging SBIR proposals and providing additional funding to SBIR companies. Our goal will be to help regions consider how the right partner or service design could facilitate better outcomes from SBIR awards. FAST and Growth Accelerator Fund Competition awards play into these considerations, as well as state matching and Phase 0 programs.

Moderators

Genevieve Lind

Program Manager for America’s Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR Programs), U.S. Small Business Administration

Dr. Genevieve Lind (she/her) currently serves as program manager for America’s Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR Programs) within the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s Office of Investment and Innovation (OII). At SBA, Genevieve leverages years of program management and policy experience... Read More →

Speakers

Brittany Sickler

Director of Investment and Innovation Ecosystem Development, U.S. Small Business Administration

Brittany Sickler is the director of investment and innovation ecosystem development at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES). In her role, she leads national initiatives to expand and strengthen networks of entrepreneurship... Read More →

Tuesday December 10, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm MST
Breakout C

Concurrent

10:45am MST

Policy on regional innovation

Tuesday December 10, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm MST

Description forthcoming

Speakers

Dan Berglund

President, SSTI

Dan Berglund is the president of SSTI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving initiatives that support prosperity through science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. SSTI is the most comprehensive resource available for those involved in technology-based economic... Read More →

Leslee Gilbert

Vice President, Van Scoyoc Associates

Leslee Gilbert is a vice president at Van Scoyoc Associates with an extensive background in higher education, research, technology development and politics. She has over 25 years of hands-on experience in the Washington policy-making process and over 30 years of experience working... Read More →

Tuesday December 10, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm MST

Concurrent

10:45am MST

The latest on Treasury's $10 billion investment in small business

Tuesday December 10, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm MST

Breakout B

The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) sees the U.S. Treasury allocate funds to states primarily for small business loans and investments. During this session, agency officials will discuss recent trends, challenges, and concerns with the program. This session is great for SSBCI insiders to hear Treasury's current thinking, and for others to better understand how SSBCI might be better leveraged as a regional resource.

Speakers

Jeff Stout

Director of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), U.S. Department of the Treasury

Jeff Stout serves as the deputy chief program officer for Small Business and Industry in the Office of Recovery Programs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In this role he is also the Director of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Previously at Treasury he served... Read More →

Tuesday December 10, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm MST
Breakout B

Concurrent

2:00pm MST

Building Better Regions annual gathering (INVITE ONLY)

Tuesday December 10, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST

Breakout D

In this session for members of the Build Better Regions Community of Practice, the BBR CoP will facilitate a dialogue focused on key questions important to BBR regions. We will use a World Café approach of energizing roundtable discussions to surface ideas to tackle pressing challenges. Insights from these roundtables will be compiled to inform policymakers and peers across the country on tactics and strategies to help chart the course for both immediate and long-term BBR initiatives. At the same time, you will connect with and learn from others driving BBR work across the country.

Tuesday December 10, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST
Breakout D

Concurrent

2:00pm MST

How regions are adapting to trends in equity investment

Tuesday December 10, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST

Breakout C

The last several years have seen the private venture capital markets swing from all time highs to mediocre activity, and this evolution occurred just as many states were launching capital programs, including rolling out their approaches to the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Join this session to hear how states and others have been adapting to the changes, and what this volatility suggests for designing future capital access initiatives.

Moderators

Karl Fooks

SSBCI Outreach Team Member, U.S. Department of the Treasury

Karl Fooks works on the Treasury’s SSBCI outreach team, where he focuses on outreach and policy related to SSBCI funded Venture Capital Programs. Prior to joining Treasury, he was the president of the Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation, an agency of the State of Hawaii that... Read More →

Tuesday December 10, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST
Breakout C

Concurrent

2:00pm MST

Intro to TBED: Building a regional strategy

Tuesday December 10, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST

Breakout A

This second session on fundamental topics in tech-based economic development (TBED) will focus on how to create a regional strategy. Topics addressed will include key partners in developing a strategy, useful data and information sources, and initial concerns about funding and sustainability.

* This session is supported by the TBED Community of Practice. See https://ssti.org/tbedcop for more information.

Speakers

Casey Nemecek

Program Director, SSTI

Casey Nemecek is a program director for SSTI’s Technology-based Economic Development (TBED) Community of Practice, which is supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). Casey’s previous work focused on program design and building partnerships to bring education... Read More →

Sherrod Davis

Co-founder & CEO, EcoMap Technologies

Sherrod Davis has worked in tech his entire career. Today, he serves as EcoMap’s co-founder and CEO.Since joining EcoMap in 2021 as COO, Davis has played a pivotal role in the company's growth. He has been instrumental in securing significant funding to advance EcoMap's next-generation... Read More →

John Fernandez

Senior Vice President, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, The Mill

A respected senior executive leader, John has extensive experience leading private and public organizations. John joined The Mill, Bloomington's home for innovators, to catalyze the regional innovation ecosystem, including leading collaborations with Indiana University, investors... Read More →

Tuesday December 10, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST
Breakout A

Concurrent

2:00pm MST

Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) awardee working meeting (INVITE ONLY)

Tuesday December 10, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST

Breakout F

Moderators

Alison Evans

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration

Alison Evans brings a wealth of experience to her role as an entrepreneurship ecosystem development specialist at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where she manages the Regional Innovation Cluster Initiative. Her journey in public service began as a presidential management... Read More →

Tuesday December 10, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST
Breakout F

Concurrent

2:00pm MST

Strengthening risk capital access through policy

Tuesday December 10, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST

Breakout E

Historically, the federal government has provided relatively little direct funding for investment, but SSBCI 2.0 and changes to SBIC, as well as some investment through CDFIs and other programs, have started to change the picture. During this discussion, we'll consider how the federal government could adjust policies, regulations, and program funding to unlock greater capital support for tech enterprises.

Tuesday December 10, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST
Breakout E

Concurrent

3:45pm MST

Building Better Regions annual gathering, continued (INVITE ONLY)

Tuesday December 10, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST

Breakout D

Tuesday December 10, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST
Breakout D

Concurrent

3:45pm MST

Communicating TBED to non-TBED audiences

Tuesday December 10, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST

Breakout B

During this session, we will examine SSTI's influential series of tech-based economic development (TBED) polling -- the latest of which will be released at the conference -- and consider what the results tell us about how to talk about the field with elected officials, regional stakeholders, and even your friends and family. We will do this by taking a look at problematic jargon, discussing alternative approaches, and considering how this should inform our communications strategies.

* This session is supported by the TBED Community of Practice. See https://ssti.org/tbedcop for more information.

Tuesday December 10, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST
Breakout B

Concurrent

3:45pm MST

Exploring 5 Strategies for More Inclusive TBED

Tuesday December 10, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST

Breakout A

New Growth Innovation Network will facilitate a discussion focusing on strategies to increase equity in Tech-Based Economic Development. The session will include a presentation of NGIN's 5 strategies for Inclusive TBED (I-TBED), examples from places throughout the US who are embedding equity in their TBED approaches, and an open discussion on how to adapt these strategies for your own community.

* This session is supported by the TBED Community of Practice. See https://ssti.org/tbedcop for more information.

Tuesday December 10, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST
Breakout A

Concurrent

3:45pm MST

Intro to TBED: Ask me anything

Tuesday December 10, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST

Breakout F

After you've explored the foundational concepts and real-world applications of technology-based economic development in the previous sessions, this session offers you a unique opportunity to engage directly with experienced leaders in a roundtable format. By the end of this session, you will have a deeper understanding of the complexities and potential of technology-based economic development and be equipped to apply these insights to your work and initiatives.

* This session is supported by the TBED Community of Practice. See https://ssti.org/tbedcop for more information.

Speakers

Bryan Barnhouse

President & CEO, Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA)

As president and CEO of the Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA), Bryan jointly leads a system of programs that help the state’s research institutions attract, recognize, and retain top talent and intellectual capital; a system that produces scientific discovery and innovation, fosters... Read More →

Jennifer McGrail

Executive Director, Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST)

Jennifer McGrail is a trailblazer in building Oklahoma's innovation economy. As executive director of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) she leads efforts to drive innovation across all 77 counties. Her diverse professional background spans economic... Read More →

Jerry Coughter

Program Director, SSTI

Tuesday December 10, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST
Breakout F

Concurrent

3:45pm MST

SBIC update and next steps for ecosystem partners

Tuesday December 10, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST

Breakout B

Many conference attendees will be interested in last year’s SBIC changes—either because they want to apply themselves, or because they are working with partners attempting to leverage the program. For this session, we propose an update from SBA that covers the agency’s experience from implementing the rule changes and then features a discussion with recent applicants/licensees.

Speakers

Brittany Sickler

Director of Investment and Innovation Ecosystem Development, U.S. Small Business Administration

Conrad Hollomon

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration

Conrad Hollomon is an entrepreneurship and innovation specialist at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). He brings a diverse background in venture capital, technology, and public service to his role. Conrad's experience includes serving as Director of Government Programs... Read More →

Tuesday December 10, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST
Breakout B

Concurrent

3:45pm MST

What do entrepreneurs need from government? Mapping a new policy agenda

Tuesday December 10, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST

Breakout D

Entrepreneurs are affected by a wide range of government policies, from licensing fees to incubator assistance, from small business research to workforce development. During this discussion session, entrepreneurship development organizations will identify priority policy concerns for their clients and regions.

Speakers

Leslee Gilbert

Vice President, Van Scoyoc Associates

Tuesday December 10, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST
Breakout D

Concurrent