Industries of the Future-West Virginia and TechConnectWV are working together to advance manufacturing, innovation and entrepreneurship in the state.
They’re inviting the public to join them for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day on Monday (March 11) at the state Capitol in Charleston.
The event will feature existing companies, agencies, entrepreneurs and startup firms that are leading the way in boosting the local and state economy. The goal is to talk with legislators and colleagues about ideas and initiatives for jobs, increased revenue and economic development.
This event provides an opportunity for businesses to make appointments with senators, delegates and state agency representatives from the Division of Energy, Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Labor, among others.
From 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, there will be exhibits from approximately 40 manufacturing and technology companies, economic development and entrepreneurship organizations, academia, government agencies and industry organizations set up around the Capitol building. In addition, more than 80 organizations have signed on as a “Participating Organization.”
A luncheon at the Culture Center will begin at noon. At the luncheon, Jeff Herholdt, director of the Division of Energy, will present the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Industrial Energy Efficiency to Marble King, a marble manufacturer from Paden City. Mark Julian from the WV Development Office will present the Governor’s Award for Leadership in Advanced Green Manufacturing to the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing in Huntington, a facility that provides manufacturers with regional access to advanced CNC equipment, affordable workforce development and technical training programs to develop new business and jobs in West Virginia.
There will be a Governor’s Proclamation at 3 p.m. in the Governor’s Reception Room.
A 1:30 p.m. panel discussion will feature West Virginia innovation drivers discussing the state’s high-tech economy. Presenters include:
· Greg Clutter, Mid-Atlantic Technology and Research Innovation Center, will talk about his center’s R&D commercialization efforts and successes.
· Charlotte Weber, Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing, will share information about her center’s 3-D printing capabilities and highlight new assistance services available for entrepreneurs.
· Guy Peduto, INNOVA Commercialization Group, will provide an update on new ventures that have benefited from his group’s business support services and seed/early-stage investment capital program.
· Michele O’Connor, West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust Board, will educate attendees about the state’s new multi-million-dollar West Virginia Capital Access Program.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration for the luncheon is required. To register, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5090070538#.
For more information visit http://iofwv.nrcce.wvu.edu.
