The University of New Mexico hosts its third Business and Economic Summit, aimed at encouraging a statewide dialogue about ways to grow the New Mexico economy and innovation ecosystem.

Themed, “New Mexico 2030,” the goal is to convene stakeholders (public, private and non-profit) from across New Mexico.

“As the catalyst for economic development at the University, UNM Rainforest Innovations is honored to be offering this virtual gathering for leaders to convene and create,” said Lisa Kuuttila, CEO and Chief Economic Development Officer of UNM Rainforest Innovations. “It’s to the benefit of all New Mexicans that we continue persevering and pushing for positive change. By creating this free online event, we hope to bring even more voices to the table than in years past.”

Recognizing the progress that the state has made to date, the Summit will envision economic growth in New Mexico. The summit will build on the recommendations of New Mexico Chamber of Commerce’s recent study “Driving New Mexico’s Future: Empowering a Competitive Economy in a Post-Pandemic World“.

UNM is one the only university in the state classified by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education as a R1: Doctoral Universities with very high research activity. The designation makes UNM an ideal launchpad for innovating new pathways to progress while reinvigorating the economic outlook in New Mexico.

The daylong online summit features local and state leaders of research, commerce and higher education. It is being held Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. via Zoom. It is free and registration is open online; click here to register.

UNM President Garnett S. Stokes will give the opening remarks, with a keynote address from Michael M. Crow, Ph.D., President, Arizona State University, titled The Role of Public Universities in State-wide Economic Development.

There will also be panel discussions and breakout rooms with insight from New Mexico business leaders, researchers and others.

See the full agenda here.

The 2021 New Mexico Business and Economic Summit is being hosted by UNM Rainforest Innovations. As the technology-transfer and economic-development organization for the University of New Mexico, UNM Rainforest Innovations protects and commercializes technologies developed at UNM by filing patents and copyrights and transferring the technologies to the marketplace. It connects the business community (companies, entrepreneurs and investors) to these UNM technologies for licensing opportunities and the creation of startup companies.