It has been an exciting few months launching the Create WV initiative. People from all over the state are coming on board with ideas, insights, participation and support to help us create an innovative, open culture that thrives in the new global economy.

We are encouraged by the response so far to the Create WV Conference, held Nov. 12-14 at the Stonewall Resort. We are particularly eager to see representation from academic, artistic/cultural and local governments in addition to traditional economic development groups. Here is just a sample of the kinds of the organizations who have signed up early to attend:

• Fayette County Commission
• National Coal Heritage Authority
• Fairmont State University
• West Virginia Development Office
• Gateway New Economy Council
• Marshall University
• Glenville State College
• Tri-County Partnership
• City of Lewisburg
• City of Glenville/Gilmer County
• Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone
• Mid-Atlantic Technology, Research and Innovation Center (MATRIC)

We are also very excited about the lineup of track speakers (keynote speakers were announced earlier) who will deliver hands-on insights and resources to attendees in areas such as Technology, Tolerance, Education, Quality of Place, Strategies, Tactics and Resources.

A full list of agenda topics and speakers will be released shortly, but here is a glimpse into the expertise that will be on hand:

• Dr. Stephen Kopp, President, Marshall University
• Senator Brooks McCabe, McCabe-Henley
• Dr. Peter Barr, President, Glenville State College
• Brian Mefford, CEO, Connected Nation (leader of ConnectKentucky)
• Dr. Jan Fox, CIO, Marshall University
• Jamie Gaucher, Tech-Based Econ Dev and Small Business, WV Development Office
• Lourdes Karas, Appalachian Education Initiative
• Maggie Potapchuk, MP Associates
• Jacqueline Proctor, Deputy Commissioner WV Division of Culture and History
• Terrell Ellis, Terrell Ellis and Associates
• Jeanne Mozier, Author, Founder of Star Theater