RALEIGH, N.C. – Wilmington is becoming a hotbed of innovation and entrepreneurs.

Jim Roberts, executive director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at UNC Wilmington exerts a passion of trying to diversify the tourism-based economy of the area. He says the area’s best graduates are moving to Raleigh and not staying here, but that is slowly changing.

“The beach is the magnet, but we also want focus on the business community,” he explains, comparing the booming area to the likes of Austin, Texas. “We’re making progress every day to build this area and the region and big ideas are developing. We have created this facility so entrepreneurs can come here and start their company and have the resources available to stay.”

Justin Beard, founder of Snapyeti and UNCW grad, is great example.

“If CIE existed when I graduated UNCW, I would still be living on the coast,” Beard says. “I needed to move back to Raleigh to access the resources and network in the Triangle to help get our company off the ground. Now students and local entrepreneurs have the CIE to help convert their ideas into businesses.”

There other great examples such as Next Glass, which on Thursday was named to CED’s 18 showcase companies for the upcoming Tech Venture Conference in Raleigh. nCino, Inc. is another from the area listed on CED’s event program. In addition to tech startups, the area also has a growing craft beer scene.

“These are all great examples of a successful economic development strategy,” Roberts points out.

The CIE works to identify and nurture high-growth, high-impact companies and to accelerate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Southeastern North Carolina. It’s a place to connect with other entrepreneurs, advisors, service providers, attend networking events, workshops, and create capital connections.

September 4 marks the first anniversary of CIE opening its doors and plans to host its first Coastal Connect Entrepreneur and Capital Conference that day at the Coastline Convention Center. Seating is limited and registration is open now.

Innovators, creators and budding entrepreneurs who register for the all-day event also will have an opportunity to participate in a “riverside chat” featuring SXSW Interactive Festival Director and TIME magazine’s 2011 Game Changer of the Year Hugh Forrest.

“We can’t wait to introduce Hugh Forrest,” Roberts says. “He will share insights into how Austin has leveraged its quality of place to attract high-paying jobs. That’s exactly what we’re trying to do here.”

Tickets can be purchased for a limited time for just $50. Beginning Aug. 11, tickets will be $75 and the week of the event they will be available for $100.

Since opening its doors, the CIE has hosted many forums and events, including Rocket Pitch, which has played a role in helping CIE startups secure equity financing. During this time, the CIE has also become home to 21 startups and three organizations, which have created dozens of jobs and internships.

If you can’t wait to visit CIE on Sept. 4 (it is the weekend, y’know), there are three other events scheduled before then with one starting today.

Today (Friday, Aug. 8) at 4 p.m., CIE is partnering with the traditional “Seahawk Bored Meeting” to learn about Elite Innovations’ Maker Space in Wilmington. Currently, the 6,000-square-foot facility is being outfitted with all the prototyping equipment makers/inventors would need to turn their ideas into working products and possibly even take them to market.

The Business of Beer at the Beach event is on Monday and is getting a lot of buzz.

David Gardner, an investor in Fortnight Brewing; Ward and Smith Law, a firm that represents 11 of the 18 breweries in Asheville; and Wake Forest’s one-year-old White Street Brewing. These beer bigwigs will talk about the fun of brewing as well as the opportunities and challenges they see on the business side.

Finally, on Thursday, Aug. 14 at 10 a.m., CIE will welcome representatives from NC IDEA now that their grant cycle is open again to offer advice and guidance to those who need investment capital. Chip Royce, angel investor/business development expert with Dell and Lenovo, will also hold office hours to meet entrepreneurs that day.

“It’s the other four days,” Roberts closes, noting the trending hashtag on Twitter. “Yes, we want the rest of North Carolina to know that there is more to Southeastern North Carolina than just Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”