Open Invitation to the Innovation Conference for Economic Development in Rural Areas (ICED Rural)

Innovation is deeply impacting rural communities, influencing energy generation, mining, and agriculture.

A recent Stanford study highlights that innovation often originates not in major centers but from those on the periphery.

This insight is exemplified by Southeastern Saskatchewan, where innovation and resilience are deeply ingrained in our culture. The region is proud to be the birthplace of innovators such as Dr. Eric Grimson, former Chancellor of MIT, and Jeff Sandquist, former VP of Microsoft.

Given this rich heritage, we invite you to our inaugural Innovation Conference for Economic Development in Rural Areas, or “ICED Rural,” from September 10 to 12, 2024, in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Our region is a hub of pioneering efforts, hosting the world’s first coal power generation plant with Carbon Capture Utilization and Sequestration (CCUS), alongside advancements in lithium extraction, geothermal energy, and the upcoming establishment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

Located in the heart of North America’s agricultural belt, our region also hosts a lignite coal mine exploring coal-to-hydrogen and graphite conversion.

These developments position Estevan as the perfect place for rural innovators across North America to come together. So join us in Estevan to connect, learn, and collaborate on driving economic development and diversification in our communities.

Let’s unite to harness the power of rural innovation for a strong future for our rural communities.

Sincerely,

Gordon More
Executive Director
S.E.T.H. 
Estevan, SK,
Canada