InnovateNC will host its inaugural free, statewide symposium aimed at supporting communities across North Carolina to strengthen inclusive entrepreneurship and workforce ecosystems and create opportunities for shared learning and collaboration. The symposium will be held on October 2, 2019 at the Barber Park Event Center in Greensboro, NC.
This marks an opportunity for economic developers, entrepreneurial support organizations, workforce stakeholders, and other interested partners to share best practices, learn about emerging resources, and strengthen opportunities for collaboration by rural communities, cities, towns, and organizations across the state. It will also build on the momentum and energy from the first cohort of InnovateNC cities (Asheville, Greensboro, Wilson, Pembroke and Wilmington), serve as an opportunity to help accelerate the progress of the recent recipients of the NCWorks Innovation Grants, and provide opportunities for communities to access resources to strengthen their local innovation economies.
The convening will include the following components:
- Morning plenary discussing emerging trends locally and nationally
- Interactive breakout sessions along two tracks: entrepreneurship/small business growth and workforce development
- Lunch keynote address on the state of innovation in North Carolina
- Opportunities to engage with statewide and national organizations supporting innovative entrepreneurship and workforce development efforts
- Tour of sites in Greensboro to highlight inclusive entrepreneurship and innovative workforce development strategies
- Networking reception