The Center for Economic Development Education and Workforce Analysis and Assistance at UALR’s Institute of Economic Advancement (IEA) will host two forums on Tuesday, Aug. 31. The morning targeting innovation and workforce development systems and the afternoon focus on innovation and economic development.

Topics include business case in innovation, new futures for youth, two-year college partnerships, workforce development, and innovation in economic development. Admission for both forums is $40 per person and includes a box lunch. Admission for one forum is $25. Space is limited.

The morning forum presenters and their topics are Scott Reed, managing director of Reed Realty, “Business Case in Innovation”; Tauheed Salaam, program specialist for capacity building at New Futures for Youth, “Non-government Organization Partnerships”; Mary Ann Shope, vice president for the Economic Development Business and Industry Center, Pulaski Technical College, “Two-Year College Partnerships”; John Brunson Jr., area workforce director of Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, “Connecting Arkansas Workforce Development System.”

Afternoon speakers and their topics are Terre McLendon, director of community and industry studies at IEA, “Innovation in Economic Development”; Kirk Manor, project manager at Winrock International, “Innovation Driven Economic Development”; and Dan Curtis, director of Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions, “Innovation Engineering Leadership Institute.”

Register online by Aug. 25. To RSVP or for more information, contact Tonya Hass at 501-683-7407.

IEA is a part of the UALR College of Business.