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

Higher education institutions are natural partners for economic development organizations. Each shares interests in many common projects – from technology transfer and entrepreneurship promotion to real estate development, neighborhood revitalization and workforce development. At the same time, it's often challenging for each to understand the other's culture, strengths and limitations, and how to partner in a way that enhances complementary skills and resources.

This year's Annual Conference will explore examples of successful partnerships in concurrent sessions, a tour, a learning lab, and a keynote session. If you aren't already working with higher education institutions in your community to grow jobs, firms, investment and talent, you're missing one of the most powerful assets available. Don't let it go untapped!

LOOK FOR THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT-HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS

PLENARY SESSION: Strong Higher Education Partnerships for Workforce Development
Tuesday, September 20
8:45 - 10:15 am

Keynote Speakers:
Tom Ross, President, UNC System, Chapel Hill, NC

Tony Zeiss, PhD, President, Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC

CONCURRENT SESSION: 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.

Gary Spanner, Ph.D., Manger, Economic Development, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA

TOUR: Higher Education Partnerships for Economic Development ($)
Monday, September 19
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Price: $45
Universities play a critical role in attracting and retaining businesses as well as fostering entrepreneurs. The NC Research Campus was an abandoned textile plant a few years ago. It's now a hub of research with representation from every major research university in North Carolina. The Charlotte Research Institute fosters key sectors such as nanotechnology and precision metrology, nascent sectors for the Charlotte Region. The State of North Carolina pushes its universities to support economic development. Learn from local success stories in the Charlotte region.

LEARNING LAB: Leveraging the Power of Your University Alumni
Tuesday, September 20
7:30 - 8:30 am
Local colleges and universities are great assets in attracting future talented workers to communities. However, many students leave upon graduation to find job opportunities in other communities. In an effort to encourage out of state alumni to think about Michigan for job opportunities, a regional economic development effort has emerged between economic developers, university alumni groups and local employers to attract talented and technical workers to return. Hear how Ann Arbor SPARK, a regional economic development organization, began a grassroots statewide talent attraction effort by harnessing the power of their alumni network to grow their talent pool and potentially stop the brain drain. Learn new tactics to create relationships with local alumni networks and employers to limit technical worker shortages.

Speakers:
Valerie Christofferson , Business Development Manager, Ann Arbor Spark, Ann Arbor, MI

John Hill, Associate Vice President , Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Amy Baumer, Director, Office of Enterprise Development , Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, Lansing, MI

CONCURRENT SESSION: 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.