Center for Economic Growth

Protect Your Business: Resources & Guidance From the FBI
2022-03-07 13:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | ETEC Building – University at Albany, SUNY, 1220 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, 12206, United States
The Business Council of New York State, Inc. and the University at Albany’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security & Cybersecurity are pleased to present an information and networking session with representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Field Offices in Albany, Buffalo and New York City. The FBI will review their business outreach and investigative programs and cover a range of issues impacting the business community, including:
Counter-terrorism and domestic terrorism
Counter-intelligence and intelligence
Cybersecurity and ransomware
Economic espionage
Best practices to protect organizations and individuals
This is a unique opportunity for New York’s business community and academia to have a dialogue and develop partnerships with the FBI on these important issues. Learn about the resources and services the FBI provides to help you prepare for and respond to the threats that can impact your organization and its vital infrastructure.
Dean Robert Griffin of UAlbany’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity will present briefly about the research, instruction and resources at the College.

Learn more & Register Here>>

Retool’22: A Climate Tech Conference for Manufacturers
2022-10-17 - 2022-10-20 | Northwest Arena, 319 W 3rd St, Jamestown, NY, 14701
The Retool WNY Initiative presents a climate technology conference for manufacturers and associated partners in upstate New York. Join industry leaders, manufacturers, investors, and entrepreneurs October 17–19, 2022 to learn, network, and collaborate on opportunities related to developing new business in the emerging climate technology sector.
New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019 sets aggressive targets for decarbonization and reduction of greenhouse gases by 2050 with the goal of 100% zero-emissions electricity by 2040. Industry is changing, creating new manufacturing opportunities. Are you prepared to take advantage of them?
What to Expect

Learn about market opportunities that exist in the climate technology sector.
Discover innovators who are already in the climate technology supply-chain.
Hear from entrepreneurs and investors about how to grow new businesses in Western NY and the Southern Tier. Meet secondary and higher education leaders who are formulating new programs and courses in response to climate technology and clean tech manufacturing needs.
See examples of electrified vehicles and equipment, and talk with industry experts.

Attendees
Manufacturers, entrepreneurs, investors, small business owners, public sector leaders, secondary and higher education workforce leaders from across New York State and the Northeast region.
Costs are outlined when you click to REGISTER. Early bird discount extended through Sept. 15th and bundled pricing available for businesses wishing to send 3 or more people.

Agenda
Monday: Check-in. Pre-conference networking opportunities at the Robert H. Jackson Center, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, and the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel.
Tuesday: Keynote speakers, panel discussions and breakout sessions at the Northwest Arena. Dinner and tour of the National Comedy Center.
Wednesday: Half-day schedule with speakers on the challenges of manufacturing in the climate technology sector. Electric vehicle showcase.

Learn More & Register Here>>

Knowledge @ Noon - Effective Onboarding by M3
2023-06-13 12:00 - 13:00 | NY
Knowledge @ Noon is a monthly webinar series designed to help manufacturers stay up-to-date with the latest trends, ideas, and best practices. Each month will feature a new topic led by industry experts who will share insights and provide valuable knowledge and tools to help your organizations learn and grow.
In this Knowledge @ Noon monthly series the *Manufacturing Innovation Network will explore the significance of effective onboarding, a critical process for organizations that helps to increase employee engagement, reduce turnover rates, and improve productivity by providing structured support and training for new hires.
Statistics on the importance of onboarding:

According to a survey conducted by Careerbuilder and Silkroad Technology (nine percent,) or 1 in 10 have left a company because of a poor onboarding experience, and 37% percent of employees said their manager did not play a critical role in their onboarding experience support.
Without proper onboarding procedures increases in employee turnover and loss of productivity occur. This decreased employee engagement costs companies large sums of money every year.
When a company has great onboarding 69% of employees are likely to stay for at least 3 years.

SHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management):

69 percent of employees are more likely to stay with a company for three years if they experienced great onboarding.
New employees who went through a structured onboarding program were 58 percent more likely to be with the organization after three years.
Organizations with a standard onboarding process experience 50 percent greater new-hire productivity.

Speakers:
Mary Malone McCarthy is founder and CEO of M3 Placement & Partnership, a national executive search, talent acquisition, and strategic HR firm. As CEO she has led the organization to significant growth through the team’s focus on building strong partnerships with a shared services approach and a passion for exceptional service. Prior to founding M3, Mary Malone spent over 15 years as Senior Vice President at Northland Communications, responsible for the oversight of Human Resources, Marketing and Client Relations for the organization. See Mary Malone’s Bio here>>
Donna Hughes, JD, is the Founder and CEO of Hughes Solutions, LLC, an executive coaching and human resources consulting business. Donna launched her business to enable senior and emerging leaders to excel in their leadership capabilities, and to support diversity in the C-suite, where women and people of color remain underrepresented. Donna is a sought-after speaker for institutions of higher education, national organizations, and has been a guest podcast speaker on various topics including, embracing change, the value of leadership coaching, conscious leadership, diversity, equity and inclusion, culture transformation, and leading organizations through the Covid-19 pandemic and social unrest. See Donna’s bio here>>
Following each segment there will be an opportunity for Q&A.
*The Manufacturing Innovation Network, powered by the Center for Economic Growth (CEG), serves as a forum for Capital Region manufacturers to Learn, Share, and Grow. This Network brings together Capital Region manufacturers to learn from experts on industry relevant topics, participate in thematic roundtables, discuss common issues, and expand their network.
Register Here

2023 Capital Region BioInnovation Forum
2023-10-18 08:00 - 12:00 | ETEC Building – University at Albany, SUNY, 1220 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, 12206, United States
JOIN US
Capital Region BioInnovation Forum 2023
Fostering Industry and Academic Partnerships
Wednesday, October 18 | 8am – 12pm
University at Albany, ETEC, 1220 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12226
The Capital Region BioInnovation Forum showcases New York’s expanding and vibrant life science hub. This event brings together industry experts, innovators, academics, and leaders who are transforming the field of Life Sciences. National Science Foundation Program Director for Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers, Crystal Leach, will serve as keynote speaker. The session will also feature panel and case study presentations centered around early ideation, the development stage and partnering locally and regionally to achieve success. Win Thurlow, Executive Director of LifeSciencesNY, formerly MedTech, will serve as moderator.

Learn more & Register here

Banking & Finance Industry Roundtable
2024-02-28 08:30 - 11:00 | Center for Economic Growth, 5 Computer Drive South, Albany, NY, 12205, United States
On February 28th at 8:30am, the Center for Economic Growth will be holding a Banking & Finance Industry Roundtable in partnership with SUNY Schenectady to be held at the Capital Region Workforce Development Board. We are interested in hearing from our local banks and credit unions around their current career pathways and opportunities for our workforce system to assist with recruitment, retention, and career ladders, including apprenticeships.
Registration for this Industry Roundtable can be found here.

Close the Skills Gap: Growing Your Talent Pipeline From Within Through Registered Apprenticeship
2025-09-16 13:00 - 14:00 | NY
Join MACNY for an engaging online seminar showcasing how Registered Apprenticeship can help employers address workforce needs and develop skilled talent from within.
Hear firsthand from Indium Corporation’s Jackie McDowell, Senior Manager of Human Resources, and
Software Developer Apprentice, Austin Eannace-Caro.
Whether you’re new to apprenticeship or looking to expand your program, this session will provide practical insights, real-world examples, and strategies you can put into action.
Presented by:

Meredith O’Connell, Manager, Workforce Development,CEG
Amy Stage, Director of Apprenticeship & Workforce Development, MACNY, The Manufacturers Association
Rich Turner, Director of Workforce Development, RTMA
Jackie McDowell, Senior Manager, Human Resources, Indium Corporation
Austin Eannace-Caro, Software Developer Apprentice, Indium Corporation

Register to Attend

UAlbany R&E Week - Day 2: BioInnovation Forum 2025: Frontiers of Biotechnology
2025-10-28 08:00 - 17:00 | ETEC Building – University at Albany, SUNY, 1220 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, 12206, United States
Join CEG for Day 2 of University at Albany’s Research & Entrepreneurship Week!
BioInnovation Forum 2025: Frontiers of Biology

8:30 to 9:00 a.m. — Registration & Networking Breakfast
9:00 to 9:15 a.m. — Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:15 to 10:45 a.m. — Keynote Talks: Frontiers in Biotechnology
Highlighted Topics:
Biologics
Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine
Industrial Biotechnology
10:45 to 11:00 a.m. — Coffee Break
11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. — Advanced Manufacturing & Futures Panel
Highlighted Topics:
Institute Spotlights
Panel Discussion
12:15 to 1:15 p.m. — Networking Lunch
1:15 to 2:15 p.m. – Poster Session and Startup Valley
Calls for Poster Presentations
The BioInnovation Forum invites postdoctoral scholars and early-career faculty and researchers to showcase their work in biotechnology, life sciences, and related fields. Please note that the deadline for new submissions is 10/17/2025.
Call for Startups – Startup Valley
The BioInnovation Forum invites emerging and small biotech companies to participate in Startup Valley.
2:15 to 3:30 p.m. – Industry Perspectives: Capital Region & Beyond
3:30 to 3:45 p.m. – Coffee Break
3:45 to 4:45 p.m. – Academic & Non-Profit Perspectives
5:00 p.m. — Closing Remarks

Details & Registration

Pre-Apprenticeship Programs ZOOM Info Session
2025-12-03 09:30 - 10:30 | NY
Wednesday, December 3 | 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. on ZOOM
What you can expect:
We invite you to join this information session to learn about the
Center for Economic Growth’s pre-apprenticeship programs: Real
Life Rosies and Advance 2 Apprenticeship. During the session, we’ll
provide an overview of pre-apprenticeships, explain how the
programs work, and highlight how they create opportunities for
employment in manufacturing for underrepresented individuals,
including women and people with disabilities. We welcome
community organizations to attend and learn how they can help
About Pre-Apprenticeship programs:
Real Life Rosies and Advance 2 Apprenticeship are no-cost pre-apprenticeship programs
designed to prepare participants for careers in advanced manufacturing and entry into
apprenticeship or entry-level roles. The programs recruit underrepresented populations in the
industry and provide them with hands-on technical skill training and soft skill development to
prepare them for the workplace. By removing barriers to entry through training and wraparound
support, these programs create pathways for individuals to obtain rewarding and sustainable
careers in manufacturing.
REGISTER TO ATTEND

Advance 2 Apprenticeship Virtual Info Session
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-02 17:30 - 18:30 | NY
Join us for one of our virtual information sessions to learn about our manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program, Advance 2 Apprenticeship and how you can apply to join our February 2026 cohort!
Thursday, January 22 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. OR Monday, February 2 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. on ZOOM
Are you looking for a new career? Do you enjoy working with your
hands, and want to be part of building something?
Advanced manufacturing may be the industry for you! The Center for Economic Growth, in
partnership with Hudson Valley Community College and the Capital Region Workforce
Development Board, are offering a pre-apprenticeship program to introduce individuals to
foundational technical and professional skills needed to find a role in the manufacturing industry.
Throughout the program, participants have the opportunity to tour and interview with local
manufacturers for rewarding, sustainable roles!
REGISTER HERE

Advance 2 Apprenticeship Open House
2026-01-27 16:00 - 18:00 | Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, New York, 12180
Join us for an open house to learn about our manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program, Advance 2 Apprenticeship and how you can apply to join our February 2026 cohort!
Tuesday, January 27 | 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Room 208, Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Hudson Valley Community College
Are you looking for a new career? Do you enjoy working with your
hands, and want to be part of building something?
Advanced manufacturing may be the industry for you! The Center for Economic Growth, in
partnership with Hudson Valley Community College and the Capital Region Workforce
Development Board, are offering a pre-apprenticeship program to introduce individuals to
foundational technical and professional skills needed to find a role in the manufacturing industry.
Throughout the program, participants have the opportunity to tour and interview with local
manufacturers for rewarding, sustainable roles!
REGISTER HERE
