SSTI's 2024 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

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2:00pm MST

Building successful regional collaboration

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST

The days of going it alone to grow your regional innovation economy are numbered—and for maximizing your impact and value, that isn't a bad thing. Creating and sustaining truly collaborative teams that can win significant funding from various sources requires talents, techniques, and tradeoffs that we'll explore with the leaders of a select group of people who put together those teams or are managing them now that they are underway.

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

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST
Breakout G

Concurrent

2:00pm MST

Federal TBED funding forum

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST

Breakout E

We may not be able to show you the money, but we'll put you in the room with some of the top federal programs that have it for our community—and want to give it away. Sit down for a one-on-one conversation with federal agency funders who will give you the low-down on funding opportunities for your TBED community. You can schedule appointments throughout the day with representatives from the agencies most vital to your funding strategies. With a chance for direct engagement with the right people, you'll leave this session smarter for your next proposal writing effort. You can also catch 15-minute presentations from each agency, which will be scheduled throughout the day.

Agencies in attendance and their presentation time slots are forthcoming.

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

Speakers

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 →

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 →

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST
Breakout E

Concurrent

2:00pm MST

Igniting Innovation: The Power of Community-Centered Public-Private Partnerships

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST

Breakout B

Public-private partnerships (P3s) are becoming increasingly vital for driving next-generation innovations across all sectors. This session moves beyond the hype to showcase real-world examples of successful community-centered P3s. We'll explore compelling case studies and delve into how these collaborative efforts between governments, civic organizations, and private enterprises are transforming industries and communities to deliver groundbreaking solutions. Discover how P3s can unlock new levels of innovation and create sustained impact for all communities.

Speakers

Kara Lively

Economic Development Director, Atlanta Beltline, Inc.

Kara Lively brings over 15 years of economic development and marketing experience to ABI, serving most recently at the Decide DeKalb Development Authority and the Cumberland CID. She executes economic development initiatives to empower existing Beltline businesses and markets the... Read More →

Jamal Lewis

Economic Opportunity Manager, Partnership for Inclusive Innovation at Georgia Tech

With more than 10 years of extensive experience in marketing, branding, project management, and, most notably, economic development—Jamal Lewis is known to drive business results, enact positive change and processes, and, most importantly, be a resource to help create and prepare... Read More →

Lindsey Cox

Chief Executive Officer, Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN)

Lindsey Cox is the chief executive officer at Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN), a public-private partnership supporting entrepreneurs and innovation across the state of Tennessee. A Tennessee native, Lindsey has dedicated her career to the support and acceleration of startups and entrepreneurs... Read More →

Abisoye Ajayi

Manager, Community Relationships, Tulsa Innovation Labs

After working as a computer programmer, Abisoye Ajayi came to the United States, earned a master's degree, and found her way to Tulsa, where she now manages Community Relationships at Tulsa Innovation Labs and recently led the development of their Tech Hubs projects. With 15 years... Read More →

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST
Breakout B

Concurrent

2:00pm MST

Mapping a policy agenda: Talent

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST

Description forthcoming.

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST

Concurrent

2:00pm MST

State TBED leaders meeting (INVITATION ONLY)

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST

Breakout C

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 →

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST
Breakout C

Concurrent

2:00pm MST

The role research parks serve in regional economies

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST

Breakout F

This peer-to-peer discussion will provide frank, valuable insights for everyone interested in leveraging the best practices and adaptations these hubs are implementing to boost regional innovation and economic resilience: We'll talk about: how these areas continue to drive regional economic growth by retaining graduates, attracting investment, creating jobs, and fostering new industries an an ever-changing development landscape.

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

Speakers

Sean Edmonds

Economic Development Manager, Arizona State University

Sean Edmonds is the economic development manager at Arizona State University. In this role, Sean specializes in attracting businesses to Arizona, managing economic development pipelines, and fostering collaborations between ASU, domestic and international companies, and industry partners... Read More →

Brian Darmody

Chief Strategy Officer, Association of University Research Parks (AURP)

Brian Darmody is chief strategy officer for AURP and former CEO. Previously he worked at UMD College Park and University System of Maryland in a variety of economic development and research administration roles, including forming public-private partnerships and earlier served as a... Read More →

Carol A. Stewart

President & CEO, University of Arizona Tech Parks

Carol Stewart, a long-standing authority on research parks, is the vice president for Tech Parks Arizona at the University of Arizona. Stewart is president & CEO of the UA Tech Park at Rita Road and the UA Tech Park at The Bridges. She is also president of the University of Arizona... Read More →

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST
Breakout F

Concurrent

2:00pm MST

Venture Development Organizations leaders meeting (INVITATION ONLY)

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST

Breakout D

This peer-driven roundtable is an invite-only opportunity for leaders at venture development organizations—publicly backed nonprofit and state entities that provide capital, business, and technology assistance with an economic development focus—to candidly discuss issues facing their organizations, best practices, and program management. Topics could include VDO organization, structure, management, capital formation, and investment.

Wednesday December 11, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MST
Breakout D

Concurrent

3:45pm MST

Cultivating capital-ready startups in regional ecosystems: a case study

Wednesday December 11, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST

Breakout A

Thriving startup ecosystems don't happen by accident. Join efactory and the Southern Missouri Innovation Network as they share strategies for supporting regional entrepreneurial communities. Learn how to prepare local startups for funding rounds and create an environment where innovation flourishes. Whether you're just starting to build your regional ecosystem or looking to take it to the next level, you'll come away with fresh ideas to enhance your community's entrepreneurial landscape.

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

Speakers

Rachel Anderson

Executive Director, efactory

Rachel Anderson serves as the executive director of efactory, Missouri State University’s Center for Business and Economic Development. She joined the university in 2015 to revitalize an abandoned poultry processing plant in a blighted area into international award-winning and thriving... Read More →

Wednesday December 11, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST
Breakout A

Concurrent

3:45pm MST

Federal TBED Funding Forum

Wednesday December 11, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST

Breakout A

We may not be able to show you the money, but we'll put you in the room with some of the top federal programs that have it for our community -- and want to give it away. With a chance for direct engagement with the right people, you'll leave this session smarter for your next proposal writing effort.

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

Speakers

Alison Evans

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

Conrad Hollomon

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

Wednesday December 11, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST
Breakout A

Concurrent

3:45pm MST

METRICS: Measuring economic transformation, reporting impact, cultivating success

Wednesday December 11, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST

Breakout E

What’s the secret to measuring success? This session will explore cutting-edge techniques that unleash the power of your data and help quantify impacts, share captivating success stories, and ignite transformative growth. Engage with experts in the field to enhance your understanding of the most important metrics delivering meaningful change in support of regional innovation.

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

Speakers

Deborah Cummings

Principal and Managing Director, TEConomy Partners

Deborah Cummings is a principal and managing director at TEConomy Partners, LLC. Deborah’s 25 years of experience in state and regional innovation-based economic development as a consultant and government official have made her a well-respected thought leader. At TEConomy, Deborah... Read More →

Jonathan Dworin

Project Manager, TEConomy Partners

Jonathan Dworin is a project manager with TEConomy Partners LLC, where he is responsible for effectively managing projects focused on innovation-led economic development and public policy. Blending qualitative and quantitative analysis, Jonathan’s work focuses on strategic planning... Read More →

Wednesday December 11, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST
Breakout E

Concurrent

3:45pm MST

Setting a policy agenda for university TBED

Wednesday December 11, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST

Breakout C

As the setting for much of the country's STEM talent development and research activity, higher education institutions play a unique role in the broader tech-based economic development field. During this session, we'll discuss what policy and regulatory topics are of the greatest interest to universities over the next several years.

Speakers

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 →

Wednesday December 11, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST
Breakout C

Concurrent

3:45pm MST

State TBED leaders meeting (INVITATION ONLY)

Wednesday December 11, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST

Breakout C

Speakers

Dan Berglund

President, SSTI

Wednesday December 11, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST
Breakout C

Concurrent

3:45pm MST

Venture Development Organizations leaders meeting, continued (INVITATION ONLY)

Wednesday December 11, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST

Breakout D

Wednesday December 11, 2024 3:45pm - 5:00pm MST
Breakout D

Concurrent