CAN DO Director of Economic Development Jocelyn Sterenchock will speak at the International Business Innovation Association Conference (InBIA), which is being held virtually from June 23-25 due to COVID-19.

Sterenchock will discuss ecosystems for incubation and innovation in rural communities and share how CAN DO, through its CAN BE Innovation Center, and other organizations throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania have placed a strong focus on developing a regional partnership to grow entrepreneurial activity. She will also showcase how The Hazleton Innovation Collaborative (THInC) combined multiple organizations, both public and private, within Hazleton to create a collaborative to help forward small business and entrepreneurial development. In light of changes among businesses and entrepreneurs due to COVID-19, Sterenchock will also discuss how organizations can link ecosystem building to other national, state, and local economic development initiatives.

During the session entitled “Fostering Success for All Entrepreneurs in Rural America,” Sterenchock will be joined by Catherine Renault of Innovation Policyworks and Erik Pages of EntreWorks Consulting. Their presentation will also include a discussion on how supporting entrepreneurship must be a core part of a COVID recovery strategy for rural regions, how to focus on meeting entrepreneurs “where they are,” (i.e. serving businesses and business owners of all types and backgrounds), and types of programming, such as youth entrepreneurship and co-working, that are especially critical to success in rural regions.

InBIA is a global nonprofit organization that has welcomed and supported entrepreneurial organizations for over 30 years. Serving a diverse group of entrepreneurship centers, program managers, directors, and policymakers, we help guide, mentor, and develop sustainable entrepreneur support programs in every industry and demographic around the globe.