Program
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. |
Performing at Top Capacity: Becoming Accredited The Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) program provides economic development organizations with an internal review of their operations and recommendations on how to strengthen their organizational processes to best respond to the changing climate within the profession. Join members of the AEDO advisory committee as they discuss the AEDO program and give insights on the application review process. Speakers:
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2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
Opening Plenary Session: Pioneers in a New Global Market Join us for our annual opening session which is sure not to disappoint. Prominent keynote speakers will engage attendees in insightful conversations about what's next in our global market. Attendees will enjoy networking with peers and a Q&A session with speakers. The opening session will conclude with The Economic Development Challenge, a Jeopardy-style game show featuring your peers from across the country! Don't miss it! Master of Ceremonies: Lara L. Fritts, CEcD, Director, Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development, Salt Lake City, UT Keynote Speakers:
Game Show Host: Amy Clickner, CEcD, CFRM, CEO, Lake Superior Community Partnership, Marquette, MI |
3:45 p.m. – 5:25 p.m. |
Speed Sessions Each Speed Session will be offered from 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. and from 4:40 to 5:25 p.m., allowing attendees to attend two different sessions during the 100-minute time frame.
Emerging industries offer little in best practice education, but instead offer the technical framework for organizations to structure and support businesses. During this session, attendees will hear how four economic development leaders are preparing and stewarding their economies to capitalize and support five different emerging industries including proteomics, e-sports, FinTech, and others. Each member of the panel will describe these emerging industries and the role their organization is playing to support their development and growth.
Did you know that the share of remote workers in the U.S. workforce has nearly doubled since 2000? Did you also know that nearly half the workforce will be over 40 in the next five years? Couple these and other changes to Industry 4.0 (the 4th Industrial Revolution) and the growing role of automation and technological advancement in manufacturing and other industries, preparing communities for the future requires a plan aligned to the changing landscape. This panel consists of workforce development professionals discussing actions communities can take to better manage future talent development and attraction. Speakers:
The Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program is an innovative mechanism for financing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements on commercial and residential property. The unique characteristic of PACE assessments is that the assessment is attached to the property rather than an individual. More than 30 states and the District of Columbia have PACE-enabling legislation and more than $500 million in projects have been financed so far. This session will provide an overview of the economic benefits of PACE and best practices from leaders that have successfully implemented the program in their own communities. Speakers:
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6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
Networking Reception At Rice Eccles Stadium Tower Come join us above the city and experience the fabulous views of the Salt Lake Valley through the floor to ceiling windows of the Rice Eccles Stadium Tower Scholarship Room! The Tower at Rice-Eccles Stadium boasts an unparalleled view from the west-facing wall of windows that provides a breathtaking view of the city and awe-inspiring sunsets, both stunning backdrops for our signature networking event. Transportation will be provided. Buses will depart the Marriott City Creek hotel lobby at 6:00 p.m. |
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. |
Plenary Session: Pioneering New Opportunities Join us for a lively plenary session as we hear from nationally recognized leaders on how innovation implementation is the spark that leads to creating massive change in our communities. After an informative discussion, participants will be challenged to share innovative ways their communities can pioneer new opportunities. Master of Ceremonies: Kenny McDonald, CEcD, President & Chief Economic Officer Welcoming Remarks:
Keynote Introductions:
Keynote Speakers:
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10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. |
Breakout Sessions
At no other time in history has the national conversation around immigration, diversity, and inclusivity been more polarizing. While these topics continue to dominate national headlines, city leaders and economic developers are facing these issues every day at a main street level. This session will explore the non-traditional approaches communities are taking to intentionally engage diverse populations in creating a healthier and more prosperous economy. Speakers:
Over the next 20 years Boeing projects a demand for 2,480 new freight aircraft to be delivered to meet growing global demand for cargo. E-commerce arrivals and departures are positioned to become the next generation of economic drivers and job creators. This growth means that communities with smaller airports and available property for growth will be able to support high volumes of global trade. Learn how economic developers are capitalizing in the growing air cargo market and uncovering other economic development opportunities. Speakers:
Blockchain proponents argue that it will expand opportunities for exchange and collaboration by reducing reliance on intermediaries and the frictions associated with them. This session will provide a clear-eyed view of the technology's potential in the context of economic development, including identifying the questions that economic development practitioners should be asking technologists, discussing the challenges that innovators must address for the technology to meet its potential, and how practitioners can better support this prime example of Industry 4.0. Speakers:
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12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
Keynote Luncheon: Reinvest from Within Don't miss the annual Economic Future Forum keynote luncheon! As many communities try to focus globally in their economic development efforts, it's important to also reinvest from within. This plenary session will highlight a leader that is paving the way in creating a sense of place. Olympic Silver Medalist and Entrepreneur Shannon Bahrke will tell her story on how team building and inspiring others creates wealthier and healthier communities that thrive. Master of Ceremonies: Tracye McDaniel, President, TIP Strategies, Inc., Austin, TX Welcoming Remarks:
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1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions
The future of manufacturing will merge the digital and physical worlds, combining sophisticated hardware with innovative software, sensors, and massive amounts of data through powerful analytics. The anticipated result: smarter products, more efficient processes, and more closely connected customers, suppliers, and manufacturers. Investigate how business and government research activities, along with venture capital investments, contribute to innovation ecosystems.
Populations are increasingly migrating to small cities that boast a healthy innovation infrastructure and well-funded creative institutions. These cities are the preferred destinations for boomers and the boomerang generation. This session will examine and provide strategies on how small cities can also compete in innovative real estate development, reuse, creative placemaking, and strategic branding to revitalize smaller cities. Moderator: Alan Rindlisbacher, Director of Community Strategy, Economic Development Corporation of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT Speakers:
These volatile and complex times require new approaches and an open mind. The economic development organizations that anticipate this shift and make the appropriate course corrections will be best positioned to reap long-term benefits. This session will show economic developers how they can use foresight analysis to further the understanding of how global trends have immediate application to economic development and ecosystems. Speakers:
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2:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
#1 for a Reason: The Research Park At the University of Utah ($) Research Park, also known as 'Bionic Valley' due to advancements in bioengineering stemming from the university, was created over 50 years ago to support commercialization of University-driven breakthroughs, foster economic development, and encourage graduates to remain in Utah. Research Park utilizes nearly 1 million square feet of dedicated space to support research and house dozens of companies, all while employing thousands. The Milken Institute ranks the University of Utah #1 in technology commercialization - come see why! Price: $55 |
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
The Solution Room These "Solution Room" style sessions will allow economic developers from similar communities to meet with their peers and discuss trends, opportunities, challenges, and threats being faced in their communities. Transforming Today's Industries
Each participant will be given time to think of a challenge they are facing in their own community. Participants will then be divided into small groups and each person will take a turn to present their problem and have it brainstormed by the group in 5-7 minute cycles. A final spectrogram map will be presented to visualize the shift in the way participants now feel about their respective challenges. Solution Room #1 - Rural Communities: Discussion will revolve around the evolving life sciences, agriculture, and tourism industries.
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3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
EDRP Paper Release: Industry 4.0 The aim of EDRP's latest research paper is to unpack Industry 4.0 and its various components and make it easier for economic development professionals to determine how they can help their communities be better prepared for changes coming our way. Workforce development, infrastructure and transitioning industries are just some of the challenges that businesses and communities are likely to face over the next several years. This paper will provide case studies and recommendations on pioneering programs from around the world on how EDOs and allied partners can keep their communities competitive and attractive in the 21st century. Moderator: SeonAh Kendall, CPA, Economic Health Manager, City of Fort Collins, Fort Collins, CO Speakers:
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3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
We have an Opportunity Zone, Now What? Join this session for a deeper dive on managing the technical side of Opportunity Zones. Learn about the debt side of a project, how capital stack is weighted, and the tools needed to properly and effectively assess equity. Presenters will highlight best practices and pitfalls to avoid along with strategies to circumvent gentrification. Speakers:
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5:45 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. |
Shake It Off! A Walking Tour of Downtown Salt Lake City ($) See Salt Lake City by foot after a long day of sitting through exciting conference sessions! Our walk will take us to a number of 'must-see' sites that will tell the story of the city's downtown revitalization, highlighting the use of public/private partnerships, cross-regional partnerships and local collaborations. We'll visit the new Broadway-style Eccles Theatre and the beautiful office tower at 111 S. Main that cantilevers over the theatre, bustling Regent Street alive with shops, restaurants and nightlife, and witness the benefits of pedestrian connectivity by visiting Gallivan Center. This guided walking tour will end with a stop at a local restaurant, where participants may choose to stay for networking and dinner (at their own expense). Price: $55 |
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. |
Plenary Session: The Future of Workforce Join us for this engaging closing plenary session as keynote speakers present the hard facts and developing trends on the global future of workforce. The issue of workforce diversification and shortage of talent exists across the country and around the world. What does the future look like, and what do communities need to do to now to ensure business and community needs are being met. This is a session not to be missed! Master of Ceremonies: Thomas A. Kucharski, CEcD, President & CEO, Invest Buffalo Niagara, Buffalo, NY Keynote Introduction: Eli Auerbach, MPA, Sales Manager, Chmura Economics & Analytics, Cleveland, OH Keynote Speakers:
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10:15 a.m. – 11:55 a.m. |
Speed Sessions Each Speed Session will be offered from 10:15 - 11:00 and from 11:10 - 11:55, allowing attendees to attend two different sessions during the 100-minute time frame.
The combination of increasing job openings and falling unemployment around the country is making a more convincing case of a tighter U.S. labor market. It is possible that the imbalance between job openings and unemployed workers owes partly to the ease with which online job advertisements can be posted. Additionally, new data may overstate labor market tightness because people not actively looking for work are not counted in the ranks of the unemployed. This discussion will provide insights to how economic developers can better understand the actual statistics and support businesses through this growing trend. Speakers:
By 2030, AI is expected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy, making AI the most significant opportunity for companies and industries over the next few decades. This session will bring together leaders from business and government to discuss how AI technologies are transforming industry landscapes, followed by what steps EDO's need to take to better integrate AI into their community growth strategies. Speaker:
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12:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Workforce on the Wasatch Front: Westpointe Center ($) Maintaining and growing your talent pipeline is a top priority. The story of Westpointe Center at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) offers examples of what's working on the Wasatch Front – the region includes roughly 80% of the population in Utah. The new 121,000 square-foot facility supports students, educators and businesses with space for training and collaboration in myriad technical fields. It is truly a one-stop educational center that should be a must-see stop while attending the Economic Future Forum! Price: $55 |
* Agenda subject to change