Topics of the day-long conference will deal with being innovative and using technology to help communities and businesses.
Holyoke City Hall.HOLYOKE – Innovation, technology and economic development will be the themes of a day-long conference here Thursday.
The conference will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Kittredge Center at Holyoke Community College off Homestead Avenue.
The Holyoke Economic Development and Industrial Commission is sponsoring the conference, said Kathleen G. Anderson, director of the city Office of Planning and Development.
Scheduled panelists and speakers include Karl D. Rabke, of Cisco Systems Inc., which is based in California, Jeffrey Brancato, associate vice president for economic development with the University of Massachusetts, Mayor Elaine A. Pluta and Anderson.
Two groups are presenting the conference. The Massachusetts Economic Development Council is an association of professionals established in 1963. It works to promote the state’s economic welfare with seminars and help in marketing strategies, according to the group’s web site, massedc.org
The other co-presenter is the Northeastern Economic Developers Association. It provides education, resources, advocacy, and networking opportunities for its members, according to its web site, nedaonline.org
Topics will include “Growing Technology Businesses in Your Community,” “Partnering for Innovation, Technology & Economic Development,” “Partnering with universities to spur local economic development” and “Crafting regional and local strategies for innovation, technology and economic development,” Anderson said.