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)
![GO Virginia Region 3 Cropped- Green Counties-01 Map of GO Virginia Region 3 Counties in Southern Virginia](https://sovarise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GO-Virginia-Region-3-Cropped-Green-Counties-01.png)
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](https://sovarise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-CO.STARTERS-Team-Facilitators-Guest-Speakers--300x300.png)
Lauren Mathena
Director of Economic Development & Community Engagement at Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corp. & SOVA Innovation Hub
![Andrew King, PhD](https://sovarise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Andrew-headshot-300x300.png)
Andrew King, PhD
Director of the Flemming Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Hampden-Sydney College
![Sheri McGuire](https://sovarise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/20221220SheriMcGuireforVBM-001-1024x1024-1-300x300.png)
Sheri McGuire
Longwood SBDC Executive Director + Associate Vice President at Longwood University Office of Community & Economic Development
![Scott Lowman, PhD](https://sovarise.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Untitled-design.png)
Scott Lowman, PhD
Vice President of Research, Institute for Advanced Learning & Research
![Ilsa Loeser](https://sovarise.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ilsa-linked.jpeg)
Ilsa Loeser
Founder & Principal, Letterpress Communications
![Natalie Hodge Davis](https://sovarise.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/natalie-hodge-gold.jpeg)
Natalie Hodge Davis
Writer, Producer, & Founder, Rudy's Girl Media, RGMTV & HometownHustle