The Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce is playing host to an Innovation Conference on Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Berry College Science Auditorium.

The conference will explore alternative energy and angel investing, which is a way to create startup funding for entrepreneurial ventures.

Chamber President Al Hodge says the conference is a way for the chamber to foster and attract technology-based companies in Greater Rome.

“We already have three alternative energy companies and we welcome others. Discussions during this conference will cover responsible environmental stewardship, new and emerging technologies and leverage the intellectual capital in our area for new and different jobs,” he said.

The keynote speaker is Jill Stuckey, director of the Center of Innovation for Energy. Organizers say the conference stems from the success of last November’s Spectrum of Technology Symposium. Both events are a result of the Chamber’s Future Industries Initiative Committee that works to determine what industries our community needs by tapping into of our notable medical and education networks here.

“Our guest speakers will provide a wealth of knowledge that will support our community’s efforts for future growth and innovation,” said Georgia Highlands College President Randy Pierce, chairman of the Future Industries Initiative Committee.

Other alternative energy experts include Florian Stamm of Smith, Gambrell & Russell and Stephen Barry of solar module manufacturer MiaSolé.

Angel investing panelists are Sig Mosley, president of Imlay Investments; Don Betts, director e2e Works/Georgia Tech; and Scott Bentley, CEO of Bentley Audio Visual Services. Terri Denison, Georgia district director for the Small Business Administration, will make the closing remarks.

Hodge says angel investor networks are one way that the chamber and community leaders are working “to build capacity in Rome and Floyd County.”

To register for the conference, visit www.romega.com or contact Donna Shaw, economic development coordinator at the chamber, at 706-291-7663 or e-mail dshaw@romega.com.

The cost is $35 for chamber members and $100 for non-members.