Program At-a-Glance

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Networking Night Out with the Capitol Steps ($)


Join us again for a night of networking and laughs featuring a performance of the Capitol Steps. An American political satire group, the Capitol Steps are a DC institution and a must-see when visiting Washington. Attendees will share in humorous notes to many of today’s current political events, a great way to start of the FED Forum while connecting with new and old colleagues.

Price: $45

12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Policy Brunch ($)


The state of federal economic development post-2018 midterm elections and predictions for the future – join us for our annual Policy Brunch, a very 'DC' affair! The brunch will feature a keynote speaker to engage attendees in a discussion on the current state of all things 'Washington.' Attendees will enjoy engaging dialogue, networking and delicious food.

Keynote Speakers:
Mark Holman, Partner, Ridge Policy Group, Washington, DC
Dr. Phillip A. Singerman, Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services, Office of the Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology, US Department of Commerce, Gaithersburg, MD

Price: $45

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Workshop on Opportunity Zones


Qualified Opportunity Zones in almost 9,000 census tracts across the country have captured the attention of economic developers everywhere. New rules and new opportunities are posing new questions, but at the center of it all: how can my community take advantage? Join us for this extended workshop to update you on the latest in Opportunity Zone rules, regulations, practices and lessons learned from past zones. This workshop is free to FED Forum attendees, though advanced registration is requested.

Moderator: The Honorable Jane Campbell, Former Mayor, City of Cleveland

Speaker:
Brian P. Darmody JD, Chief Executive Officer, Association of University Research Parks, Tuscon, AZ

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Public Policy Advisory Committee – Open Meeting


Join members of the Public Policy Advisory Committee for their annual meeting during the 2019 FED Forum. The Committee's agenda will include updates from Washington, reviewing legislative priorities, and discussion on pending public policy matters.

Speaker:
Mignonne Hollis, Executive Director, Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation, Sierra Vista, AZ

8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

State of Federal Economic Development


Join us for this pre-plenary session as IEDC presents the latest on the State of Federal Economic Development based on the president's State of the Union address to Congress, the 2020 White House Budget proposal, and the recent mid-term elections.

Keynote Introduction: Rebecca Moudry, Vice President, Business Development, ROI Research on Investment, Washington, DC

Keynote Speaker: Jeffrey A. Finkle, CEcD, President & CEO, International Economic Development Council, Washington, DC

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Hard Choices Ahead: Fiscal Realities & Economic Development Priorities


Join us as we discuss the growing deficit and about 'hard choices' that have to be made on the path to fiscal responsibility. As spending continues to outpace revenue it is likely arguments for the reduction of the growing deficit will continue the targeting of economic development priorities in the coming year. But how is the economy really doing and where is it really headed? Where does the economic development value proposition fall at a national level? How will cuts in Washington translate at the local level? We'll address these issues and more in our opening plenary session.

Master of Ceremonies: Tracye McDaniel, President, TIP Strategies, Inc., Austin, TX

Keynote Interviewer: Todd Greene, CEcD, Executive Director, Atlanta University Center Consortium, Atlanta, GA

Keynote Speaker: Mark E. Doms, Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation, Washington, DC

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Breakout Sessions


From Entrepreneur to Small Business

Entrepreneurs and small businesses play a fundamental role in local communities and their economies, affecting local competitiveness, diversifying the economic base, and stimulating economic development. In this session we'll focus on the resources provided by the federal government, including SBA and EDA, and how to effectively utilize them.

Moderator: Jonas Peterson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA), Las Vegas, NV

Speakers:
Allen Gutierrez, Associate Administrator, Office of Entrepreneurial Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington, DC
Eric Paul Smith, Senior Advisor, Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, U.S. Economic Development Administration, Washington, DC
Matthew Stevens, Program Manager, Office of Economic Adjustment, U.S. Department of Defense, Arlington, VA


Workforce & Talent Development

Businesses today require a new mix of specialized workers, and while unemployment remains low, the job creating role of economic developers is never finished. Join us to learn more about the federal government's role in job training and how economic developers can play their part in connecting businesses to the workforce they need.

Moderator: Michael S. Neal, CCE, CCD, HLM, IOM, President & CEO, Tulsa Regional Chamber, Tulsa, OK

Speakers:
Rob Garcia, Manager, Business Leaders United, National Skills Coalition, Washington, DC
• John V. Ladd, Administrator, Office of Apprenticeship, Employment and Training Administration, United States Department of Labor, Washington, DC
Scott Stump, Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC

12:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Keynote Luncheon


Join us for our annual keynote luncheon and awards presentation during the FED Forum. The luncheon will feature a speaker of national prominence and the presentation of our Congressional and Federal Leadership in Economic Development Awards. Attendees will enjoy networking and hearing from informative speakers and inspirational award recipients.

Master of Ceremonies: Kenny McDonald, CEcD, President & Chief Economic Officer, Columbus 2020, Columbus, OH

Keynote Introduction: Erika Magder, Vice President, Global Sales & Products, Research Consultants International FDI, Inc., Montreal, QC

Keynote Remarks: Lara L. Fritts, CEcD, Director of the Department of Economic Development, Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development, Salt Lake City, UT

Keynote Speakers:
Brett Doney, CEcD, FM, President & CEO, Great Falls Development Authority, Inc., Great Falls, MT
The Honorable John C. Fleming, M.D., Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC
Fran Seegull, Executive Director, U.S. Impact Investing Alliance, New York, NY

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Breakout Sessions


Manufacturing Jobs

Manufacturing isn't what it used to be, even when you're speaking of manufacturing today versus 1 year ago. Between innovative new processes and materials, workforce demands, and uncertain international market access and supply chains, the landscape keeps shifting. How can you keep up with it all? What federal resources and sources of information matter most? Join our discussion on manufacturing to learn all this and more.

Moderator: Lara L. Fritts, CEcD, Director of the Department of Economic Development, Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development, Salt Lake City, UT

Speakers:
Valri Lightner, Acting Director, Advanced Manufacturing Office, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC
Carroll A. Thomas, Director, Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce, Gaithersburg, MD


Breakout Session: Federal Resources in Infrastructure

Many in Congress have made it clear that infrastructure is an area in which they are excited to work with the White House. Could this be an opportunity for a bi-partisan victory? What has been proposed so far? And in the meantime, how can your community benefit from existing federal infrastructure programs? We'll cover these issues in this must-attend session.

Moderator: Robert Van Geons, CEcD, President & CEO, Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, Fayetteville, NC

Speakers:
Roger Bohnert, Director of Outreach & Project Development, Build America Bureau, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC
Chad Rupe, Acting Administrator, Rural Utility Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
Raffael Stein, Director, Water Infrastructure Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Chairman's Networking Reception


Don't miss the FED Forum's signature networking event, the Chairman's Networking Reception! Join all FED Forum attendees plus invited guests from partner agencies, organizations and Congressional staff. This event is free to all FED Forum attendees, though advance registration is requested.

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Breakout Sessions


Rural Economic Development

As purse strings in Washington tighten further, rural communities stand to lose much of the federal resources they rely on. While the debate rages on about spending, though, federal programs supporting rural economic development will carry on. How can your community best utilize these resources and, importantly, leverage them with other programs not as closely tied to the federal government.

Moderator: Emily Brown, Director of Economic Strategy, Fourth Economy Consulting, Pittsburgh, PA

Speakers:
Scott T. Hamilton, Executive Director, Appalachian Regional Commission, Washington, DC
Joe C. McKinney, Executive Director, National Association of Development Organizations, Washington, DC
Sally Rood, Ph.D., Senior Policy Analyst for Economic Development, National Governors Association, Center for Best Practices, Washington, DC


Urban Economic Development

CDBG, CDFI, SBA, and more agencies all have programs supporting urban development and all have been targeted for cuts. Is your community taking full advantage of existing resources? What else might be out there, even beyond federal resources? This session will highlight these items, as well as other initiatives supporting urban economic development.

Moderator: Marva Bryan, CEcD, Accounting Manager/Tax Incentive Analyst, Development Authority of Fulton County, Atlanta, GA

Speakers:
Daria Daniel, Associate Legislative Director, Community, Economic & Workforce Development, National Association of Counties (NACo), Washington, DC
Claudette Fernandez, Director, Office of Block Grant Assistance,U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC
Amber Kuchar-Bell, Program Manager, Community Development Finance Institutions Program, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC

10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Talkin' Trade: From Brexit to Tariffs, What's Going On?


With the negotiation of the USMCA, no end in sight for tariffs, and Brexit shaking up Europe, the future of international trade is uncertain. Every community is or will soon be feeling the impact, whether from market access for our goods and services or fluctuations in supply chains. End the 2019 FED Forum with a look into the future of our global economy, and how it will impact your community.

Master of Ceremonies: Paul L. Krutko, FM, President & CEO, Ann Arbor SPARK, Ann Arbor, MI

Keynote Introduction: Alivia Metts, Economist, Director of Consulting, Emsi, Moscow, ID

Keynote Speakers:
Brian Lenihan, Executive Director, SelectUSA, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC
Andrew Stettner, Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation, Washington, DC

Award Presenters:
Brett Doney, CEcD, FM, President & CEO, Great Falls Development Authority, Inc., Great Falls, MT
Tracye McDaniel, President, TIP Strategies, Inc., Austin, TX

Award Recipient: Stanley H. Gimont, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC

* Agenda subject to change

 

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