Community Forum and Innovation Panel

The Innovation Panel is a group that represents a broad spectrum of roles and perspectives relevant to innovation, economic development and prosperity in the Willamette valley.

This year's format will be highly interactive with the audience. Discussions will be driven by questions received here on and during the discussion itself. Chris Nordyke will moderate to ensure the quality and relevance of the discussions.

When: November 5, 2009, 4:00 PM
Where: WIN 2009, CH2M HILL Alumni Center
Who: Open to the public

Submit your question(s) below as a comment on this page. You are encouraged to ask any question that is relevant to our regional economy and prosperity.

Innovation Panelists:

Joe Tanous
Chairman, RedRover Software
Commercialization at OSU

Catherine Mater
Owner, Mater Engineering, Ltd
Member of Oregon Way Advisory Group
Director of OSU Engineering Sustainability Programs

John Sechrest
Economic Development Director
Corvallis Benton Chamber Coalition

Gordon Hoffman
Managing Director, NW Technology Ventures.

Jeff Gardner
CEO of ViewPlus Technologies, Inc

Bob Warren
Business Development Officer
State of Oregon, Economic & Community Development Department

Discussion Moderator
Chris Nordyke
Agent, Owner at State Farm
Founder, Facilitator at SpeakerLunch.com

NOTE: Please log in to submit your questions.

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Comment by Jerry W. Saveriano on October 30, 2009 at 10:27am: I think Mark's questions are good ones. But instead of saying Corvallis, I suggest we substitute Willamette Valley instead.

As a general opening or closing essay questions I suggest:

1- What are three leading advantages and disadvantages innovators face starting and growing a company in the Willamette Valley?

2- Does it make sense for the Willamette Innovators Network to try to include and connect innovators in the entire Valley, say from Newberg down to Cottage Grove, or is it more realistic to focus on the mid-Valley, Salem to Eugene?

Comment by Mark W. Van Patten on October 22, 2009 at 1:32pm: Can you give us an understanding of the level of adherence, "compliance", or consistent, focused effort toward a strategic economic development plan for the city? In other words, are all the many different people, groups, and organizations moving in concert?

Comment by Mark W. Van Patten on October 22, 2009 at 1:15pm: Simple and basic: Affordable housing is a critical component for long-term, viable economic development. The traditionally creative communities in most cities are not high-income earners yet Corvallis has one of the highest costs of housing in Oregon. Why is this and can anything be done to address this?

Comment by Mark W. Van Patten on October 22, 2009 at 1:12pm: Simple and basic: What are some of the identified obstacles toward moving Corvallis forward from an economic development perspective, and what is being done to address those identified obstacles? Whose responsibility is it to address them?

Comment by Mark W. Van Patten on October 22, 2009 at 1:10pm: Simple and basic: How are the economic development efforts in the community being communicated to the citizens of Corvallis and the area? Do you think citizen awareness of these efforts is high?

Comment by Mark W. Van Patten on October 22, 2009 at 1:09pm: Simple and basic: Do yo uthink there is an awareness in Corvallis for the need to have a focused effort on long-term planning and economic development? And, if so, what organization is leading that effort?

Comment by Mark W. Van Patten on October 22, 2009 at 1:08pm: Simple and basic question: Is there a FUNDED initiative within Corvallis for economic development? And, if so, at what level is it funded and how does that level compare with other metropolitan areas?

Comment by Mark W. Van Patten on October 22, 2009 at 1:07pm: Simple and basic questions: Does Corvallis have a cohesive economic development plan? And, by cohesive, I mean one that has been constructed by all of the necessary stakeholders. If so, can you describe it briefly? What is its primary focus?

Comment by Loyan Roylance on October 1, 2009 at 10:59am: In reference to the regional business ecosystem, if we assume that we are not running at 100% effectiveness, where are we weak? Are there voids? Where do the most significant disconnects exist? Where should efforts be focused to improve the ecosystem?