State Chamber Summit Will Spotlight Nebraska’s Innovation & Technology Economy
Dec. 7 event to be held at Kearney Holiday Inn Conference Center
How can Nebraska position itself to thrive in today’s emerging, knowledge-based economy? How can existing Nebraska companies and entrepreneurs best grow their operations in an era of rapidly changing technology?
These questions and more will be answered at the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Innovation & Technology Summit to be held Dec. 7 at the Kearney Holiday Inn Conference Center, just off I-80 Exit 272. The summit will feature more than a dozen Nebraska business leaders who are utilizing progressive practices and the latest technology to compete in the global marketplace.
The Chamber summit will spotlight Nebraska’s new development tools aimed creating more opportunity and jobs in the innovation economy. Officials from Nebraska’s Department of Economic Development will brief participants on the state’s Innovation and Talent Initiative, including a statewide internship program designed to retain more of our educated young people. Panels of experts will discuss topics such as Nebraska’s new Business Innovation Act and efforts to encourage angel investments in new, cutting-edge businesses.
Speakers will include some of Nebraska business experts such as Paul Eurek, CEO and Chairman of Xpanxion in Kearney; Dr. James Linder, President of the University Technology Development Corp. in Omaha; Dr. Terri Wasmoen, Senior Director of Biological Research of Intervet/Merck Animal Health in Elkhorn; Gloria Thesenvitz, President of Nova Tech in Grand Island; Tom Henning, President of Cash-Wa Distributing in Kearney; Dr. Tim Burkink, Dean of UNK’s College of Business and Technology in Kearney; and Dennis J. Schulz, CEO of Mid-Continent Technologies in Kearney. In addition, state Senators Galen Hadley of Kearney and Abbie Cornett of Bellevue will discuss their efforts on recently enacted legislation to grow Nebraska’s innovation economy.
The summit will conclude with insights from some of central Nebraska’s most prominent businesses on how they have utilized innovative practices to become leaders in their field. Richard Baier, Executive Vice President of the State Chamber’s ‘Forging Nebraska’s Future’ initiative, will provide an overview of the Chamber’s comprehensive effort to address Nebraska’s current challenges and capitalize on new opportunities.
Gary Warren of Aurora, chairman of the State Chamber’s Innovation & Technology Council, said: “Even in the midst of a national and global economic downturn, Nebraska’s economy continues to shine. But to ensure continued success, we must devote special attention to the areas of our economy that hold potential for extraordinary growth. By fostering innovation and an entrepreneurial economy, Nebraska’s economic future can be even brighter.”
This summit is open to all Nebraska residents and members of the public. Registration fee is $75, which includes lunch. To register, call Carol Sibley at the State Chamber at (402) 474-4422 or e-mail csibley@nechamber.com.
Innovation & Technology Registration flyer
Innovation & Technology Agenda