HUUB EconDev Camp 2024: Unlocking Collaborative Solutions for Economic Growth

Ideas, Impact & Community in Denver

On September 14, 2024, HUUB hosted the first-ever HUUB EconDev Camp in downtown Denver. We brought together economic development professionals, community leaders, and innovators at Sherman & Howard LLP for an exciting event to explore bold ideas and practical strategies for advancing economic development.

What set the HUUB EconDev Camp apart?

This wasn’t your average panel and power point conference. There were no rigid schedules, agenda, or speaker lineups. Instead, the event followed an unconference model—where participants led the conversations, shaped the agenda, and collaborated across sectors in real time to tackle pressing challenges—real people solving real problems, together.

Designed for Impact

The HUUB EconDev Camp is rooted in the belief that the best ideas often emerge through authentic, cross-disciplinary dialogue. By creating space for attendees to propose and lead sessions, we unlocked conversations that were timely, candid, and deeply solution oriented.

Sessions spanned a broad range of topics, including:

• Equity in economic opportunity — centering voices and experiences that are often sidelined in traditional decision-making spaces.
• Revitalization strategies for both urban and rural spaces that go beyond surface-level development.
• Tech + policy mashups, including tools that help measure, automate, and scale impact in local programs.
• A deep dive into funding models that aren’t just innovative but actually work in real communities.
• And plenty of open, unfiltered conversations that stretched our thinking and challenged the status quo.

Participants shared not only insights, but also actionable strategies to implement in their own communities. The collaborative environment created a space where leaders could move beyond idea exchange and begin developing concrete, community-driven solutions.

Building the Future, Together

EconDev Camp reflects HUUB’s broader commitment: to convene mission-aligned changemakers and help communities identify and address the barriers to inclusive economic growth. By centering the voices of those doing the work—whether in policy, tech, entrepreneurship, or grassroots organizing—we’re helping build more responsive and effective systems.

Let’s Bring This Model to Your Community

Got a community that’s ready to tackle big questions and build real-world solutions together?

HUUB is actively exploring partnerships to bring the EconDev Camp unconference experience to additional cities. We're all about co-creating spaces that empower leaders, bridge gaps, and unlock untapped potential within communities. If you're an economic development leader, policy advisor, community advocate, or ecosystem builder looking to catalyze innovation in your region, we’d love to talk!

Together, we can help local organizations and leaders bridge gaps, surface critical challenges, and co-design impactful solutions.