Thursday, February 16, 2012

8:30 - 9:00 am

Registration

9:00 - 10:00 am

Introduction to Technology-Led Economic Development - Instructor: Bubba Weir
This session sets the context for the rest of the agenda topics. It will begin with definitions that describe the dynamics of the Global Knowledge Economy and why what we face for the future is not the same as the recent past. Questions to be discussed will include: What is technology? What is a technology company? What are the significant changes in economic dynamics that we need to take into account in economic development? What major changes does all of this imply for economic developers and for regional economic strategies?

10:15 - 11:15 am

How Incubators/Accelerators can evolve into the place for all things entrepreneurial, and how the development of a regional innovation system supports the growth of technology and entrepreneurship

Instructor: Don Betts, CEcD
For several years, economic developers and universities have focused on technology transfer. We now know that the process of creating successful technology entrepreneurship and clusters is more complex. It depends upon a whole "system" of resources—all working together. Many of the pieces include connecting research institutions with communities to foster critical entrepreneurial business skills, networking and financing opportunities. There will be discussion of how the pieces work together to create the right environment in which technology companies grow and thrive.

11:15 am – 12:30 pm

Case Study (Incubator/Research Park Focus)

Instructor: Greg King, CEcD
This session will highlight a few tested incubation models for innovation, education, and economic development that have been applied around the world. Specifically, course participants will learn about innovation-centered economic and business development models and how EDOs can work with local and regional research facilities to facilitate job creation.

12:15 – 1:30 pm

Lunch

1:30 – 3:00 pm

From Idea to Marketplace—Knowledge Management Processes

Instructor: Margaret Wagner Dahl
Technology transfer and commercialization of intellectual property is one of the most difficult things for universities do well. Some universities have "cracked the code," and others still flounder. What differentiates the successful from the others? Those that have "cracked the code," in most instances have created a regional system of resources, working in concert towards a common goal. Session will discuss how the various components can create a synergy leading to technology cluster development in which entrepreneurial companies grow and thrive.

3:15 – 4:30 pm

Engaged Research Institutions - at the Heart of TLED Strategies

Instructor: Bubba Weir
In this session, the participants will explore in greater depth all the ways in which community colleges, universities, medical and other research institutions are playing (or should play) critical roles in any regional TLED strategy. This session will also address the issue of what to do in the absence of these types of institutions.

Friday, February 17, 2012

9:00 - 10:15 am

Tech-led Strategies for Rural Economies

Instructor: George Erickcek
Rural-based economic developers can assist tech-based businesses by fostering strong networks of business service providers, improving telecommunications infrastructure and by helping local firms access the most recent innovations in technology to help grow their businesses. This session will cover practical strategies that rural EDOs can implement to create a robust technology-based economic development plan.

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Financing and Equity Options for Tech-based Businesses Instructor: Nancy Cobb, CEcD
There are many viable options for tech-based businesses to acquire small business development funding such as commercial banks, angel investors and SBTDC programs. This session will help practitioners better understand the diverse set of funding sources available. Also, this session will improve the practitioners understanding of what lenders and angel investors are typically looking for in a start-up venture.

12:00 - 1:30 pm

Lunch

1:30 – 3:00 pm

The Knowledge Workforce

Instructor: George Erickcek
We know that one of the hugely important factors to tech companies, when they decide where to be, is the availability of a suitably skilled local workforce. Indeed, focus on workforce strategies has become an important part of the economic developer's job. In this session, we will address how to strategize for bringing together local/regional resources (K-12, WDBs, Colleges, etc.) to be sure that your region can market its high-skilled workforce for tech companies.

3:15 - 4:15 pm

Defining Local/Regional Capacities and Industry Clusters, to Create a Tech-Led Market Strategy

Instructor: Joy Wilkins, CEcD
Once participants and a process are defined, the next step is to assess local/regional capacities and the assets on which to base a TLED strategy. This session will review basic SWOT analysis, including economic assessment. It will address assessment of education and workforce assets and requirements. It also will describe how to analyze existing industry base and define present and targeted clusters for market strategy.

4:15 - 4:35 pm

Putting it All Together

Instructor: Joy Wilkins, CEcD
Now that you have heard about the pieces, how do you put it all together? This session will summarize the information covered in the course, provide a few mini case studies, and engage participants in discussing how they would apply what they have learned in their regions.

4:35 - 4:45 pm

Wrap-up and Certificates

* Agenda subject to change

**Please Note: In order to receive full IEDC certification credit for this course and a certificate indicating course completion, participants must stay until the final session on the last day. Please make travel plans accordingly.