The Boulder Economic Summit provides a unique opportunity for cross-industry connections and discussions of timely economic issues affecting Boulder. This year’s event will focus on the role of research and innovation in the economic recovery.

Boulder is a center for research and innovation supported by a world class research university, more than a dozen federally funded research labs, and a high concentration of businesses in advanced technology and emerging industries. The 2012 Boulder Economic Summit will explore how Boulder’s research infrastructure drives the local economy, national and state initiatives designed to support research and innovation, innovative new approaches for interdisciplinary research, and the funding and employment trends that could impact our local economy.

Schedule

8:00 – 8:30  Check-in, Networking & Coffee

8:30 – 8:45  Welcome and Introductions

8:45 – 9:00  Colorado’s Blueprint for Innovation – Ken Lund, Executive Director, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

9:00 – 9:10  Inspiring Discovery and Invention – Phil DiStefano, Chancellor, University of Colorado Boulder

9:10 – 9:45  Productive Collisions – Tom Cech, Director, Biofrontiers Institute, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder

9:45 – 10:00  Economic Growth through Innovation – Monisha Merchant, Senior Advisor for Business Affairs, Senator Michael Bennet’s Office

10:00 – 10:30  Networking Break & Refreshments

10:30 – 11:15  Boulder’s Research Economy – Richard Wobbekind, Director, Business Research Division, Associate Dean of MBA and Executive Programs, University of Colorado Boulder

11:15 – 12:00  Two Billion Jobs to Disappear by 2030 – Thomas Frey, Futurist, Executive Director, The DaVinci Institute

12:15  Tour of the new Caruthers Biotechnology Building (optional)

Registration: $65 pre-registered ($60 Boulder Chamber members), $70 at the door. Metered parking available in parking lot west of the building. Carpooling and alternative transportation strongly encouraged. Seating is limited.  To register, click here.

About the Venue: The Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building is a state-of-the-art research and teaching facility that provides a new kind of scientific environment: one that empowers researchers from many different fields to work together, across the boundaries of traditional academic structures. A central location for “productive collisions” among faculty and scientists, this building will provide the resources and tools they need to make a difference in the lives of people everywhere.

Keynote Presentation: 2012 Economic Forecast
Dr. Richard Wobbekind, economist and Executive Director, Business Research Division, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder
Download presentation (1.8 MB)

Panel Discussion: Emerging from the Recession – Economic Challenges and Opportunities
Jane Brautigam, City Manager, City of Boulder
Download presentation (82 KB)

Susan Graf, President and CEO, Boulder Chamber
Download presentation (461 KB)

Ric Porreca, Senior Vice Chancellor & CFO, University of Colorado Boulder
Download presentation (1.3 MB)

Cindy Schmidt, Director of Government Affairs, UCAR, CO-LABS Board member
Download presentation (1 MB) 

Boulder has been getting a lot of attention as a center for innovation and entrepreneurship.  The city has been recently recognized as a “magnet for high-tech start-ups”  by the New York Times, “one of the top places in the country to create an Internet start-up” by BusinessWeek, and a “hotbed for innovation” by MSNBC.   The event explored what it is about Boulder that attracts entrepreneurs, how we can remain competitive, and the economic implications if we don’t.

News stories:  Feld: Entrepreneurs must be leaders, Panel: Boulder sets economic example, City must step up to keep outdoor firms, Area has shot at national aerospace hub, Business leaders: Innovation cultivation key to Boulder’s future, Boulder likes its entrpreneurial density

Dr. Wobbekind’s Innovation and the Economy presentation slides (download - 8.3MB)

Keynote Presentations:
Setting the Stage for Innovation - Brad Feld, Managing Director, Foundry Group and Co-founder TechStars
Innovation and the Economy - Dr. Richard Wobbekind, Associate Professor and Executive Director, Business Research Division, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder

Panel Discussions:
Aerospace - Moderated by Scott Tibbitts, eSpace: The Center for Space Entrepreneurship.  Panelists included Dr. Elvir Causevic, Colorado Association of Manufacturing and Technology, Diane Dimeff, eSpace: The Center for Space Entrepreneurship, and Vicky Lea, Colorado Space Coalition/Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation.
Biotech – Moderated by Kyle Lefkoff, Boulder Ventures.  Panelists included Holli Baumunk, Colorado Bioscience Association, Tim Bour, Boulder Innovation Center, and Dr. Kathy Rowlen, InDevR.
Clean Tech – Moderated by Chris Shapard, Colorado Cleantech Industry Association.  Panelists included Buz Brown, ION Engineering, Tim Enwall, Tendril Networks, and Dr. Michael Knotek, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Initiative, University of Colorado Boulder.
IT/Tech Stars – Moderated by Brad Bernthal, Silicon Flatirons, University of Colorado Boulder. Panelists included David Cohen, Tech Stars, Julian Farrior, Backflip Studios, and Robert Reich, OpenSource.
Natural & Organic – Moderated by Patrick Rea, New Hope Media. Panelists included Phil Anson, EVOL Foods, John Grubb, Sterling Rice, and Sonja Tuitele, Aurora Organic Dairy.
Outdoor/Active Living – Moderated by Frank Hugelmeyer, Outdoor Industry Association.  Panelists included Chris Hazlitt, Holme Roberts & Owen, Jerry Lee, Newton Running, and Jennifer Spencer, Agloves.
Maintaining Boulder’s Edge – Panelists included Brad Bernthal, John Grubb, Frank Hugelmeyer, Kyle Lefkoff, Chris Shapard, and Scott Tibbitts.

A panel discussion of major regional trends and developments featured:
- Patty Silverstein, Chief Economist, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, who presented highlights from the sixth annual Toward a More Competitive Colorado study,
-  John Tayer, RTD Board Member, who updated the audience on the latest FasTracks developments, and
-  Kim Day, Manager of Aviation, City of Denver,  who provided a closer look at DIA expansion plans including the South Terminal Redevelopment Program.

The keynote presentation featured Dr. Richard Wobbekind, Economist, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado, who presented the outlook for the national, state and Boulder area economy.

A reception followed the presentation, providing those in attendance with a chance to connect with local academic, business and community leaders.

Rich Wobbekind’s presentation (1.64 MB)

Patty Silverstein’s presentation (980 KB)

John Tayer’s presentation (966 KB)

Kim Day’s presentation (1.14 MB)

1/25/11 Camera article

1/25/11 Boulder County Business Report article

2011 Colorado Business Economic Outlook

Leeds Business Confidence Index

The event included a panel of several of Boulder’s top business leaders discussing the impact of the economic downturn on key industries.  Panelists included Kim Campbell, Senior Property Manager, Twenty Ninth Street & FlatIron Crossing – Macerich; Scott Green, Site Director – Boulder Office, Google; Pat O’Brien, Market President, Guaranty Bank and Trust; Chuck Porter, Co-chair of Crispin Porter + Bogusky; and Stephen Tebo, owner of Tebo Development Company.  The keynote presentation by Leeds School of Business economist Dr. Richard Wobbekind provided an overview of recent trends and a look at what’s ahead for the national, state and Boulder area economy in 2010.

Dr. Wobbekind’s presentation  (986 kb)

Links to news stories about the event:

Boulder County Business Report

Daily Camera

BoulderReporter.com