RISE Economic Development Meeting
January 31, 2024 on Zoom
Economic development professionals, business resource providers, and ecosystem builders from across GO Virginia Region 3 are invited to attend this virtual meeting. Join us to discuss entrepreneurship and innovation in Southern Virginia, and how we can support a thriving regional ecosystem!
DATE
January 31, 2024
TIME
11:00am – 12:30pm
Location
Zoom (Online)
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- Local and Regional Economic Development Staff and Officials
- Local and Regional Workforce Development Leaders
- Chambers of Commerce, Main Street Organizations, and Tourism Professionals
- Agriculture and Forestry Business Support Agencies
- Bankers/Lenders/Small Business Financing Professionals
- Business to Business Service Providers (Lawyers, Accountants, etc.)
- Anyone Interested in Being Involved as an Ecosystem Builder with the Regional Investment in Startups & Entrepreneurs (RISE Collaborative)
MEETING AGENDA
- Call to Order, Welcome, and Meeting Purpose
- Updates on RISE Collaborative – Regional Investment in Startups and Entrepreneurs
- Individual Introductions and Networking
- Innovation Highlight – Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) – Guest Speaker: Dr. Scott Lowman of the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research
- Discussion – What opportunities exist for entrepreneurs and innovators? What problems do they face, and how can we help? What stories can we tell?
- Announcements of Upcoming Events
- Closing Remarks
Meeting Co-Hosts & Guest Speakers
Lauren Mathena
Director of Economic Development & Community Engagement at Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corp. & SOVA Innovation Hub
Andrew King, PhD
Director of the Flemming Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Hampden-Sydney College
Sheri McGuire
Longwood SBDC Executive Director + Associate Vice President at Longwood University Office of Community & Economic Development
Scott Lowman, PhD
Vice President of Research, Institute for Advanced Learning & Research
Ilsa Loeser
Founder & Principal, Letterpress Communications
Natalie Hodge Davis
Writer, Producer, & Founder, Rudy's Girl Media, RGMTV & HometownHustle