Ohio County’s Stephanie Hockenberry Serves as Panelist for Business Innovation Convention in San Francisco
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WHEELING -- Stephanie Hockenberry, Ohio County growth and retention manager, mentored start-up entrepreneurs at a business innovation convention this past week in San Francisco.
Hockenberry applied and was accepted to be a panelist for LG Nova Innofest on Wednesday and Thursday at The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The goal of the event was to transform markets and industries by "partnering with startups, investors, governments, universities and corporate businesses to positively impact people and the planet."
"It's a collaboration, bringing together start ups, venture capitalists ... and all the groups that can move business forward," Hockenberry explained. "I participated in the mentoring sessions for the launchpad. I met with startups, and gave them guidance and suggestions to help break down barriers."
Most of those people present were based in California, she acknowledged.
"What's cool is that because of the partnerships businesses have with West Virginia, West Virginia did have a large presence at the convention," she said. "Mitch Carmichael, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Development, spoke during a session on how to work with government.
"I sensed there was excitement among those there about West Virginia, and about bringing their dollars and investment to the state."
Hockenberry also thinks Ohio County "is positioned for growth."
"We offer opportunities and are positioned well," she explained. "People are interested in what we have to offer, but we have to tell our story better - I have seen that here. Companies are excited about West Virginia.
"I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this, and grateful for the partnerships that will come out of it."
Hockenberry took in additional information from those at the convention.
"What I've learned is there are lots of opportunities in AI (artificial intelligence), and how it can benefit the state, country and world," she said. "But as with every technology, you have to put it to good use. It's eye-opening to see the products."
Hockenberry was first hired as growth and retention manager for Ohio County in December 2023.