Connect Locally, Succeed Globally
Charlotte, NC
September 18-21, 20-11

Register before Friday, July 15 and save $100 with our early registration rates!

http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/index.html

The recession shifted many EDOs' efforts from business attraction to nurturing small firms, and the focus of many individuals from finding a job to working for themselves. Yet new business failure rates are high even in the best of times. That makes it more important than ever to develop an entrepreneurship support system that can foster the success of fledgling firms in the recovering economy.

One new resource on this year's program is our Entrepreneurs Forum. At this interactive event, you'll gain insights from successful entrepreneurs on exactly what helped them succeed – and what hindered their efforts – as they worked to build thriving businesses.

Join IEDC in Charlotte as we answer the questions:
• What are the key resources that entrepreneurs need?
• What can you do to build the elements of an entrepreneurship ecosystem?
• How do you foster innovation and entrepreneurship in small communities?
• What are some successful ways to leverage university and community college partnerships?

Entrepreneurs Forum
Wednesday, September 21
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Growing a flourishing business requires substantial resources and support. At this new forum, gain insights from thriving entrepreneurs on what strategies worked for them and the challenges they encountered as they started up their own businesses. In this intimate forum, you will have the opportunity to hear what is on the minds of successful entrepreneurs and have your questions answered. From this through-provoking forum, you will return to your community with new ideas for your local entrepreneurship program.

OTHER ENTREPRENEURIAL SESSIONS OF INTEREST INCLUDE:

Stimulating Start-Ups Through Strategic University Partnerships
Sunday, September 18
3:45 - 5:15 pm
Successful entrepreneurs are people with the passion, tools, and big ideas which result in profitable ventures. But where do they come from? How can we equip them to deliver the innovation injection a community needs? Universities, federal laboratories, and communities are collaborating in new, creative ways to nurture start-ups through business accelerators and mentoring programs, angel capital networks, tech transfer mechanisms, and other supportive measures. Find out how your community can partner with these institutions to foster and benefit from these new companies.

Fostering Innovation in Small Communities
Monday, September 19
1:45 - 3:15 pm
Most discussion of innovation-focused economic development tends to emphasize the role of industry clusters as magnets for talent and entrepreneurship in large cities. Yet, the geography of innovation is not limited to big cities--innovation hotspots are popping up in communities of all sizes. Smaller cities and rural communities can and should actively embrace economic development policies focused on spurring local innovation. This session will explore how smaller cities and rural communities are succeeding in building their own homegrown innovation ecosystems.

Breaking Down Barriers to Empower Technical and Community Colleges
Tuesday, September 20
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Technical and community colleges can be key partners in training workers with industry-specific skills and supporting entrepreneurs with available resources, knowledge and funding. Yet various barriers can make identifying key partners, creating new programs and leveraging potential opportunities and resources within the colleges a challenge. By synchronizing efforts, colleges and economic developers can maximize positive outcomes from their programs. This session will explore how to break down the barriers and build strategic alliances with your local technical and community colleges.

Unlocking Entrepreneurship: Nurturing Your Economic Ecosystem
Tuesday, September 20
4:00 - 5:30 pm
Research shows that entrepreneurial businesses are the true job generators in today's economy. As the economy shifts, economic developers are increasingly looking for more ways to support entrepreneurs to meet goals for job creation and economic growth. This session will outline the critical components necessary to foster entrepreneurial growth in a community. Through case studies, learn how practitioners have successfully integrated entrepreneurship into their broader economic development strategies.

OUR EXPERT SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Louis J. Foreman
Chief Executive Officer
Enventys
Charlotte, NC

Sara Garcés
Chief Executive Officer
Red F Marketing
Charlotte, NC

David H. Jones
President & CEO
Peak 10, Inc.
Charlotte, NC

Deborah M. Markely, PhD
Managing Director and Director of Research
RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship
Chapel Hill, NC

John Provo
Director-Office of Economic Development
Virginia Tech University
Blacksburg, VA

Garry Spanner, PhD
Manager
Economic Development
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Richland, WA

ABOUT THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The International Economic Development Council's Annual Conference is the premiere 2011 conference for the economic development industry. Last year, over 1200 people attended the Annual Conference in Columbus, OH, to network, discover new tools and services, and share lessons learned. Themed "Connect Locally, Succeed Globally," we'll be discussing how economic developers are adapting to the new normal and rewriting the rules for economic development. A conference like this only happens once a year – Register today.

http://www.iedconline.org/AnnualConference/Registration.html

WHO ATTENDS THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
• Regional, state, county, and city economic development organizations
• Chambers of commerce and other business support agencies
• Community and neighborhood development organizations
• Technology development agencies
• Utility companies
• Educational institutions
• Consultants
• Workforce development boards and agencies