The Innovative and Entrepreneurial Environment: Where It's Going and How to Get There

As the presidential race heats up and Washington focuses its attention toward the nominees, the Federal Forum will be the place to hear from insiders about economic development issues coming from the campaigns, as well as what to expect during the transitioning administrations.

What will these changes mean for economic developers?

The way to answer this question is to attend the 2008 Federal Economic Development Forum in Alexandria, Virginia. This year’s legislative conference is centered on three tracks:

• Driving Innovation and Expanding Entrepreneurship
• Human Capital: Building, Attracting and Retaining a Talented Workforce
• The Presidential Election

Be sure to participate in this three-day forum and engage with think tank professionals, university and community college representatives and business leaders.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of federal economic development issues in April!

	Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski is a leader in economic development issues, improving the ability of small businesses and technology start-ups to gain access to capital. He is Chairman of the Capital Markets Subcommittee and is the 2003 IEDC Federal Leadership in Economic Development Award winner. He will speak during Monday's Keynote Luncheon. Dr. Luis M. Proenza is the President of The University of Akron, the public research university for northern Ohio. Dr. Proenza serves on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), the nation's highest-level policy advisory group for science and technology. He will speak during the Town Hall on Monday morning. Dr. Raymond Orbach, the Department of Energy’s first Under Secretary for Science, is tasked with implementing the President’s American Competitiveness Initiative and leading the Department's efforts to transfer technologies from DOE national facilities to the global marketplace. He will speak during Tuesday's Washington Briefing. Rob Atkinson, President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, is a valued adviser to state and national policy makers and is a popular speaker on innovation policy nationally and internationally. Hear Mr. Atkinson speak on innovation and competitiveness on Monday morning at the Town Hall plenary session. Deborah Wince-Smith, President, Council on Competitiveness, has spearheaded a national campaign that has made innovation a top-tier national policy issue. She is recognized in the global business community as a "go to" person for strategic counsel. She will be moderating Monday's opening Town Hall plenary session.

» View complete speaker list

Take Advantage of your DC Visit

Interested in advocating for the issues that matter to you and the economic development community? After the morning Plenary Sessions on Tuesday, April 15, IEDC encourages attendees to take advantage of being in the Washington, D.C. area and head to Capitol Hill. We’ll provide you with the tools necessary for successful hill visits, including: how and when to schedule a visit; travel logistics; and talking points on how to effectively communicate with congress.

Top Reasons to Attend

• Find innovative solutions, approaches, and best practices from leading policy professionals and workforce leaders

• Network with other economic development practitioners and representatives from federal agencies

• Influence Congress on federal economic development issues that affect you

• Learn from insiders on what to expect from transitioning administrations