2024 Inside Innovation Summit Showcases Tulsa as an Emerging World-Class Tech Hub

Tulsa Innovations Lab hosted its second biennial Inside Innovation Summit in October, convening leading experts from across the country in Tulsa to learn more about how the city is emerging as a hub for innovation and technology.  

With over $90M in investment from the federal government since 2022, people’s eyes are on Tulsa, looking to our city as a leader in technology-based economic development with an emphasis on strengthening opportunities for our community.  

This year’s event featured a day full of programming, from tours of local destinations to productive panels and sessions.  

Local Tours

Attendees had the opportunity to tour two must-see Tulsa destinations – the historic Greenwood District and the Gathering Place – to better understand the city’s story. Advancing growth and development in our community starts with understanding the region’s long-standing history.

Plenary Keynote

The plenary session featured remarks from local, regional and national partners working alongside Tulsa Innovation Labs to fuel our region's growth in innovation and technology. This year's keynote remarks were from Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth.

Plenary Participants included: 

• Vaishant Sharma, Senior Policy Advisor to the White House National Economic Council
• Bryan Warner, Deputy Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation
• U.S. Representative Frank Lucas: Watch Rep. Lucas remarks here.‍
• Alejandra Castillo, Former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Economic Development Administration:Watch Alejandra Castillo remarks here.‍
• Ken Levit, Executive Director of the George Kaiser Family Foundation‍
• Jennifer Hankins, Managing Director of Tulsa Innovation

"We commend THETA for forming a strong, collaborative consortia. You all know that investing in advancing our autonomous systems industry is not optional, it is a national and economic security imperative that we can only succeed in when we work together. By working closely together, you are a shining example to others looking leverage federal assets to build the public-private partnerships needed to transform regional economies."
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Cristina Killingsworth, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development

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Leadership for scale: Lessons from regional leaders from pursuing transformative economic change

Leadership for Scale featured a panel of CEOs of regional institutions testing new civic operating models to drive inclusive growth. Each of the leaders that participated is marshaling networks of corporations, entrepreneurs, local and state governments, higher education institutions, community-based groups, and labor and environmental organizations in service of scaled, equitable economic change.

Leadership for Scale Participants included: 

• Peter Frosch, CEO of GREATER MSP
• Melina Kennedy, CEO of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership
• Robert Simpson, CEO of CenterState
• Jennifer Hankins, Managing Director of Tulsa Innovation

Tulsa’s Economic Renaissance: Bridging Innovation and Community Through a New Industrial Revolution

Tulsa's Economic Renaissance featured a discussion between world-renowned urbanist Richard Florida and Build in Tulsa Managing Director Ashli Sims regarding Tulsa’s new model of economic development focused on strengthening community ties while creating economic growth. Richard Florida explores this topic in his newest report, Putting Community First: How Tulsa Forged a New Model of Community-Enhancing Economic Development.

Diversifying Economic Opportunity for Tribal Citizens

Diversifying Economic Opportunity for Tribal Citizens featured CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses Chuck Garrett and CEO of Osage LLC Russell Goff in a discussion about the tribes’ $15B+ contributions to Oklahoma’s economy. More specifically, they explored how Tulsa-area tribes play a critical role in regional economic development efforts, and how they are making substantial investments in diversifying their economies through a focus on innovation and advanced industries to expand opportunities for their citizens.  

Powering Our Region: Corporate Leaders on Innovation and Assets

Powering Our Region featured a fireside chat with corporate partners to discuss how leveraging their business strengths and strategic assets is fueling economic growth in the Tulsa region. Moderated by Innovation Manager at Rose Rock Bridge Prutha Atre, corporate participants included Vice President for Environmental, Regulatory & Permitting with Williams Mark Gebbia, Electrical Engineer with Devon Energy Jared Markes, and Director of H&P Ventures Chris Miller.