EDiS Institute hosts Industry & Innovation event

Disruptions at the national and state level have contributed to a creative economy in place of a manufacturing one, and people, rather than land, capital, and equipment, are the foundation of that economy, according to Richard Florida, one of two keynote speakers at the EDiS Industry & Innovation event today.

The more than 300 attendees of the event included bankers, attorneys, accountants and other professionals, in addition to students and instructors from Delaware’s three vocational-technical schools, who were guests of EDiS. The event was held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.

Florida is a the director of the Martin Prosperity Institute of the University of Toronto, global research professor at New York University and co-founder and senior editor of The Atlantic City Lab.

Jon Roberts, economic development director and managing director of TIP Strategies, offered insights and creative solutions to Delaware’s economic challenges. Gov. Jack Markell also attended, and highlighted strong job growth in the state but added that investment in education is necessary to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce.

EDiS Institute was launched by construction management firm EDiS in 1998 as a biennial half-day forum to examine important industry topics, increase communication between the industry and vocational education institutions and to encourage high school students to choose a construction-related career.