Prosperity Summit to explore how Oklahoma turns innovation into economic growth
The Oct. 22 Oklahoma Prosperity Summit will connect university research, emerging industries, and regional workforce development in a conversation about the state’s innovation economy.
OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) — Turning university research into economic opportunity and preparing Oklahomans for emerging industries will take center stage at the third annual Oklahoma Prosperity Summit on Oct. 22.
Hosted by the State Chamber Research Foundation, this year’s summit will focus on “Building Oklahoma’s Innovation Economy,” bringing policymakers, researchers, and business leaders together at the Hamm Institute for American Energy in Oklahoma City.
“Innovation is our key topic,” said Jake Yunker, executive director of the State Chamber Research Foundation. “We are going to be focusing in on university innovation and then kind of building a sense of place, the community innovation that we’re seeing.”
The event builds on Oklahoma Competes, the State Chamber and research foundation’s long-term framework for improving the state’s competitiveness. Innovation and entrepreneurship form one of its four fundamentals, alongside economic climate, education and workforce, and infrastructure.
For Yunker, the conversation centers on what Oklahoma needs to attract research, develop talent, and create the conditions for industries that support high-quality jobs. The summit will examine both the progress underway and the obstacles communities face as they try to build an economy around innovation.
University research will be a major part of that discussion. Scheduled panelists include Matt Hulver, vice president for research and partnerships at the University of Oklahoma; Kenneth Sewell, vice president for research at Oklahoma State University; and Rose Gamble, vice president for research and government affairs at the University of Tulsa.
Yunker said the discussion will include OU’s Project 200, energy innovation at OSU’s Hamm Institute, and collaboration among the universities. Project 200 aims to recruit approximately 200 researchers over five years in health, extreme weather, national security and defense, and secure and resilient energy.
The program will also feature Patrick Lucy, CEO of Wheeler Bio, for a discussion of innovation in Oklahoma City. Yunker pointed to the company’s bioscience work as an example of the activity the summit will highlight.
The conversation will extend beyond university campuses and the state’s largest cities.
“We’re also going to go into the regions and talk about what’s happening in different communities throughout the state, from Tulsa to Oklahoma City to Lawton, and also highlight some of the rural areas that are really being innovative in the way they’re thinking and developing their workforce,” Yunker said.
Oklahoma CareerTech State Director Brent Haken will moderate a regional panel featuring representatives from Tulsa Innovation Labs, the OKC Innovation District, FISTA Innovation Park, and Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The discussion will explore how communities connect employers, training, and economic development to support innovation across the state.
“I think it’ll be a really good opportunity to have a holistic conversation with multiple stakeholders,” Yunker said.
Check-in and networking begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the program from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., including lunch. The Hamm Institute is located at 300 NE Ninth St. Registration costs $200, and the deadline is Oct. 16.
