SSTI's 2024 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

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10:45am MST

Intro to TBED: Why TBED?

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

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

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

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