Innovation Summit Will Launch Southern Innovation Initiative

On Monday, Oct. 31, the Southern Growth Policies Board, the Southern Technology Council, Georgia Institute of Technology, the Council on Competitiveness and the Georgia Research Alliance will host a one-day Southern Technology Innovation Summit at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center in Atlanta. The meeting will review the findings from the Council on Competitiveness’ recently released National Innovation Initiative report and launch a new Southern Innovation Initiative.

The Innovation Summit will gather business executives, science and technology professionals, economic developers, and university and corporate research scientists to discuss how to promote innovation in the Southern region's economy, institutions and culture. Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue will open the meeting, and discussion and panels will feature regional and national speakers on topics including Innovation and Investment, Innovation Infrastructure, and Innovation in a Corporate Context.

Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco will close the summit with the announcement of a new Southern Innovation Initiative in 2005-2006. The Southern Innovation Initiative will include a series events promoting innovation in the South, including community discussion forums, a regional survey, focus groups, and the initiative will culminate with Southern Growth Policies Board’s 2006 Report on the Future of the South and a regional conference in New Orleans in June 2006.

Registration for the Innovation Summit is $100. To view a complete agenda, register online, or more information, visit: http://www.southern.org/main/STC/SI2/symposium.shtml