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The 2018 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Leadership Summit will focus on how our economies can be reimagined and intelligently developed outside of the traditional strategies. Reimagining economic development allows leaders of economies, communities, and regions to look at opportunities that would not otherwise be there, and be innovative in the way they approach the process of economic diversification and advancement.

In a state that was among the hardest hit by the Great Recession, the comeback of Nevada - and specifically the Las Vegas metropolitan area - is a case study on how to think outside of the box and innovate. At the peak of the recession, Nevada had a 14% unemployment rate. The Las Vegas economy was heavily dependent on the hospitality industry, and as millions all over the country had to decide to either pay their mortgage that month or take that vacation to Las Vegas, Las Vegas lost in every one of those decisions. Southern Nevada had to think of an innovative ways to restructure economic development and set the course for economic recovery.

This conference's sessions will focus on reimaging your city or region in ways that leaders wouldn't have originally thought about, and relying less on your traditional attractions and industries and more on reimagining possibilities.