Humans Need Not Apply: The Impact of Automation on our Future
TownPlace Suites by Marriott have graciously blocked off some rooms for conference attendees. Please mention the MEDC Conference when booking to receive a discounted room rate.
(Only Valid for stay Thursday, August 20, 2015)
Conference Partners
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!
PLEASE CALL 508-755-5734 OR EMAIL INFO@MASSEDC.ORG TO REGISTER!
Join us on Friday, August 21, 2015 for a Statewide conference that looks at how trends in automation are changing our productivity, need for human capital, and culture. If you are an economic development professional, workforce professional or business owner you can't afford to miss this event! Join the conversation and learn about the dramatic changes that are on the horizon that will impact workers, businesses and our culture as we know it and the steps that you need to take now to keep your career, your business and your community thriving.
The conference will take place in Wareham MA in the center of the South Shore Tourist Triangle. Located 20 minutes from New Bedford's Historic Waterfront, 25 minutes from Downtown Plymouth's sea side commercial district and 30 minutes away from Falmouth and Hyannis...and let's not forget beautiful Onset beach just 5 minutes from the Marriott TownPlace hotel. Click here for a pocket guide that can help you plan your weekend if you decide to stay!
9:00am Coffee, Networking, & Registration
9:30am Welcome and Program Overview
10:00am Matt Morrissey
Matt is a longtime economic development leader and offshore wind advocate in Massachusetts. He specializes in the intersection of the public policy, economic development and environmental benefits that offshore wind represents. For over 7 years, he served as the Executive Director of the New Bedford Economic Development Council. He then founded the New Bedford Wind Energy Center and as Managing Director, expanded the City's efforts to build regional capacity in support of the emerging offshore wind industry.
10:45am Q&A
11:00am Speaker Panel featuring:
Jim Ayars, J&J Technologies
Jim graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Rhode Island. He started his career working at several local defense contractors and eventually purchased a local electronics manufacturing company with a partner in 1999. He has been president of J&J Technologies for 16 years. They employ approximately 70 people in Wareham and provide engineering and manufacturing services to companies throughout the Northeast.
George Hempe, Greater New Bedford Workforce and Investment Board
George believes that embracing collaboration with the various critical stakeholders in a tenacious manner is key in taking a systems approach to regional issues, challenges, and opportunities. He also believes that workforce, economic, and educational initiatives should be interdependent upon one another in order to fully maximize the regions resources to manifest their vision into reality.
Chris Rezendes
Chris is working on the intelligent and intentional instrumentation of the physical world. Chris is an advisor to large companies on IoT through is NB and London-based consultancy, INEX Advisors. He is also an investor and advisor in early stage IoT companies through his Boston-based investment vehicle, IoT Capital Partners. Chris is the Organizer of The IoT Meetup New England/ Boston, with nearly 1,500 members, and a key member of the Eastern MA IoT cluster, typically ranked among the top 5 in the world.
11:30am Q&A
11:45am Break
12:00 noon Plated Luncheon
Luncheon Keynote Speaker: Ronald G. Marlow, Undersecretary for Workforce Development
Ron Marlow serves as the Undersecretary for Workforce Development within the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing agencies that are engaged in the delivery of services within the public workforce development system, including the Massachusetts Departments of Career Services and Unemployment Assistance.
Note: A brief MEDC Board Meeting will take place after the adjournment of the Conference. We hope board members can attend.