The Greater San Marcos Partnership, the regional economic development organization for Hays and Caldwell Counties, will host the 2022 Innovation Summit, presented by title sponsors Hill Country Studios and La Cima.
The event will take place Thursday, Sept. 8, from noon to 2 p.m. at the JW Marriott Austin.
Keynote speaker Markus Hogue, who oversees GIS and drone technologies at the University of Texas, will deliver a keynote address on how new developments of these technologies are being utilized in transformative economic development projects across Central Texas.
“Central Texas, and especially now the Texas Innovation Corridor, is becoming home to some of the most high-tech companies in the world,” said Hogue. “We’re in the new era of the multibillion- dollar megasite, where we’re seeing incredible applications of drone and GIS technology to develop world class facilities right here in Texas.”
Following the keynote address, a panel comprised of three executives from unique industry sectors in the Texas Innovation Corridor will share the innovations their businesses are developing and why they chose to do business in the region. Panelists will include Zach Price, chief experience officer of Hill Country Studios; Austin Hickman, CTO and lab manager of PGM of Texas; and Ryan Lommel, senior vice president of OneSupport. GSMP president Jason Giulietti will moderate the panel.
The program will conclude with the eighth annual presentation of the Dick Burdick Innovation Award for Innovation. Named for the legendary San Marcos innovator Dick Burdick, a local company will be recognized for its ability to find creative solutions to complex problems through innovative methods, ideas, products, and practices.
“This event encapsulates exactly why innovative companies are choosing to come to Hays and Caldwell Counties,” said Giulietti. “This is a region that can support movie studios, precious metal labs, Fortune 500 operations, large-scale advanced manufacturers and much more. These diverse industry sectors prove the resiliency and the opportunity that’s available here in the Texas Innovation Corridor.”
Tickets, tables of eight and a limited number of sponsorships are available for purchase at greatersanmarcostx. com/events through Monday, Sept. 6.