2015 IEDA Annual Conference

1:00 PM

Registration Opens/Visit Exhibits

1:30 PM

Welcome

2:00 PM

General Session: Indiana Agriculture: It is Indiana’s Time

Now is the time for Indiana agriculture!  With world-class universities, sound fiscal policy and a pro-business environment, Indiana delivers the resources and the people that agribusinesses need to compete and win in the global marketplace. From enhancing a local-foods initiative called Indiana Grown to attracting major dairy processors; ISDA is positioned to continue to grow the entire state’s agriculture industry to new heights. ISDA Director will discuss in full detail the following topics:

1.         Indiana Agriculture Strategy Development

2.         Indiana Dairy Strategy

3.         Indiana Grown

4.         International Economic Development

Presenter: Ted McKinney, Director of AgriBusiness Development with Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and Director of Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA)

2:45 PM

Break with Exhibitors

3:00 PM

General Session: A Digital Skills Gap in a Gigabit Economy

Many Indiana employers report that the digital skills gap represents a significant barrier to finding qualified workers. As Indiana invests heavily in digital infrastructure, are our workers keeping up? This presentation, by Thomas P. Miller and Associates, will address these challenges and explore best practices in digital upskilling.

Presenter: Travis Lane, Thomas P. Miller and Associates

3:45 PM

General Session: What are future generations teaching us about Workforce Development Innovation

Millennials and Generation Z are all about innovation. Therefore, organizations that focus on the future workforce have listened and responded on how best to deliver careers pathways, training options and workforce opportunities. Let’s find out how a state-wide organization as well as a regional organization have delivered inventive programs to excite students.

Presenters: Sally Reasoner – Tech Point, Xtern program

Kara Webb – Greater Lafayette Commerce, The State of Advanced ManufacturINg

4:45 PM

IEDC Update

5:15 PM

Department of Workforce Development: Training the Work Force

Presenter: Commissioner Steve Braun

5:45 PM

Awards Presentation

6:15 PM

Reception & Silent Auction & Exhibits

8:00 AM

Breakfast and Exhibits Open

8:30 AM

IEDA Business Meeting

9:00 AM

Legislative Update

Economic Development Tool Box and the 2016 "Short" Session of the Indiana General Assembly

Presenters: Sen. Brandt Hershman (R, Buck Creek)

Rep. Randy Truitt (R, W Lafayette)

10:00 AM

OCRA Session

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) will be announcing changes to the Indiana Shovel Ready Program, which is designed to ensure our communities have a competitive edge in attracting investment and jobs.

OCRA has engaged both the FASTeam (Fast Access Site Team) and Shovel Ready Working group to develop and implement these changes aimed at providing further capacity building solutions to ensure Indiana is primed for economic growth.  

10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

General Session: Downtown Revitalization – Valparaiso’s 12 Year Approach

Starting in 2003, the City of Valparaiso recognized the need to stabilize and revitalize its downtown.  As of the fall of 2015, the City’s downtown is now home to 20 local/non-chain restaurants, an amphitheater with a large splash pad, an open air pavilion that converts in to an ice skating rink, and a vibrant, supportive community.  This success was not instantaneous but was the result of years of planning, innovation and execution.  The City is now focused on high-density residential development to complement the current downtown amenities as well as our commuter bus service to Chicago.

11:45 AM

General Session: Eleven Fifty Academy

John Qualls is a serial entrepreneur who is now devoting his talent and experience to serve as President of the Eleven Fifty Academy in Carmel, Indiana.  In his keynote address at the Annual Conference, John will discuss the current technology skills gap in Indiana and what Eleven Fifty Academy is doing to help close this growing gap and become an essential part of Indiana’s Brain Gain.  John will make an important announcement about a competitive opportunity for Indiana communities to partner with the Academy to address their own talent gap.   John will wrap up his talk with a call to action on ways others can participate, collaborate, and be part of Indiana’s talent solution.

12:30 PM

Adjourn