EDA Launches First Regional Symposium in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA, March 13 – The Economic Development Administration is hosting a one-day regional symposium at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue, as part of its efforts to disseminate information to economic development community stakeholders and practitioners. This event, which is the first in a series of five regional symposia to be held around the country, carries the theme Economic Development through Innovation.
Participants will learn about regional strategies, policies, and best practices to create jobs and economic opportunity, from speakers who come from the private and public sectors. Leading the roster is Sandy Baruah, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. Other keynote speakers include Dean John Mullin from the University of Massachusetts Graduate School, and Dr. Russel Kaufman of The Wistar Institute.
The symposium features RoseAnn Rosenthal, President and CEO of Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Executive Director H. Lee Beach, Jr. of the Hampton Roads Research Partnership, and Robert Santy, President of the Regional Growth Partnership in a session that examines successful programs, which have stimulated innovation through regional collaboration. Participants can also learn practical advice and inspiring ideas on how to create programs to assist companies, commercialization, and new product viability in “Creating Programs to Inspire Innovation,” which features Dr. Timothy Franklin, Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, David Driver, Managing Director of the Northeast Utilities System and The Hartford-Springfield Economic Partnership, and J. Michael Bowman, Chairman and President of the Delaware Technology Park.
Part of the United States Department of Commerce, the mission of the Economic Development Administration is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. The regional symposium, a result of a partnership between the EDA, the International Economic Development Council, and the National Association of Regional Councils, attracts economic developers, and individuals from non-profit organizations, regional councils, the academe, local, state and regional governments, and the private sector to learn, network, and share ideas.
The next symposium, catering to the Austin region will be held in San Antonio, Texas on April 12. Other sites include Long Beach, California, Atlanta, Georgia, and Kansas City, Missouri.