Consultant Connect

'Twas the night before ECONOMIX, and the excitement is real! We're thrilled to kick off an unforgettable event with all our friends—old and new—for a trailblazing ECONOMIX agenda we've got in store. Join us tonight for the Welcome Mixer from 8:00–9:30pm MT (big thanks to our sponsor, Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office) as we set the stage for an amazing week ahead! And don't forget, tomorrow is your chance to register at Site Consultant Office Hours on the hotel’s second floor. Get ready for the best ECONOMIX yet—let’s make it one for the books! #ECONOMIX2024

?? Huge thanks to all our incredible sponsors for making ECONOMIX 2024 possible! Your support fuels the momentum for a game-changing event as we head to Salt Lake City next week! Together, we’re set to inspire, learn, and forge new paths in economic development. Get ready for trailblazing conversations, top-notch networking, and insights that will shape the future. Let’s make this year unforgettable—see you soon! #ECONOMIX2024 #Trailblazing

One week to go! We’re thrilled to be heading to Salt Lake City for ECONOMIX 2024 and couldn’t be more grateful to our incredible host sponsors who make this event possible. Their commitment to fostering economic and community growth is truly inspiring, and we’re honored to partner with them as we dive into this year’s trailblazing theme. A huge THANK YOU to our hosts Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah), Salt Lake City Corporation, and Northern Utah Economic Alliance (NUEA) for your generous support. Get ready to connect, learn, and blaze new trails with some of the brightest minds in the industry! See you next week, Salt Lake City! ?? #ECONOMIX2024 #Trailblazing #EconomicDevelopment #ThankYou

?? Wrapping up an incredible year of Destination Summits in none other than Louisville, KY! Our final Summit Series stop in 2024 brought together an impressive group of economic developers who enjoyed exclusive one-on-one time with top site consultants. From in-depth discussions on economic trends to unique Louisville experiences—including an unforgettable bourbon tasting at Hermitage Farms and a look at how the best bats are made at the Louisville Slugger Museum—this summit truly showcased the city’s vibrant spirit and growth. A huge thank you to Louisville Economic Development Alliance, especially Joshua McKee, Ph.D., and Ron Burse, for their outstanding support and hospitality! Looking ahead to 2025? Seats are filling up fast for next year’s Summit Series! Don’t miss your chance to join us for these game-changing events. Grab one of the few spots left now: https://lnkd.in/gHm7SSiY #EconomicDevelopment #SummitSeries2024 #SiteConsultants #Louisville

Huge congrats to Louis David, President and CEO of New Orleans Business Alliance, for receiving North America’s Top 50 Economic Developer Award for 2024! Everyone can learn a thing or two from Louis’s leadership and economic development expertise. Read on to see for yourself: ? How has economic development changed since you entered the field? ? I think we’ve continued the shift from an incentives-driven recruitment approach to a much greater emphasis on quality of life. Economic developers are now some of the biggest advocates for better parks, improving school systems, and affordable housing because we know those things drive corporate investment. It’s much more about advocating for your community to become a better place to live as a foundation for economic growth. ? What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? ? New Orleans is one of America’s most unique cities. There’s often too much to see and do when we host businesses considering investing here. Overall, I’d say it’s the combination of our food, music, and culture that truly sets New Orleans apart. ? What is a personal goal you’re really excited to achieve? ? Rising to the position of President and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance is something I couldn’t have predicted when I joined the organization nine years ago, but it’s been such a huge honor. I love working with our team, partner organizations, and businesses to showcase all the great aspects of our business community to the world. ? What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? ? I was working in the tech industry when I moved to economic development to help grow resources for tech companies and workers in New Orleans. What keeps me here is that every day is different, but you’re always working to make your community a better place to live. When you meet someone who holds a job you helped create, there’s no better feeling. ? Who has been your greatest mentor? ? Grady Fitzpatrick of Maxis Advisors (formerly of GNO, Inc.) took me to my first meeting on my first day, even though we were at partner EDOs. We were helping a local video game development firm pitch their virtual reality training software to the New Orleans Fire Department. Grady taught me some of the most important lessons in the industry—be kind, don’t lie, stay optimistic, and always find a way to figure it out! ? What is your economic development superpower? ? Connections! I’m always trying to connect businesses and contacts here in New Orleans and across the globe. You never know how they might collaborate, and they never forget it when one of those connections becomes essential for a successful project. ? Meet all of North America’s Top 50 Economic Development Awardees here: https://lnkd.in/dpMqSunD

We’re closing out the week with another amazing #NATop50 awardee: Matthew McCollister, Executive Vice President at One Columbus. Matt is one of the best in the business. Read on to learn more from Matt! ? How has economic development changed since you entered the field? ? New technologies have, and will continue to, rapidly impact the practice of economic development. From the way we identify and target companies to how we respond to RFIs and RFPs, new technologies have significantly changed our day-to-day operations. ? What shifts do you feel will happen in the profession over the next five years? ? I believe AI will play an increasingly important role in how consultants and companies analyze markets. I also see AI becoming a major factor in how economic development organizations identify companies to target for expansions or new investments in their markets. ? What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? ? The willingness to collaborate among our local economic development organizations (LEDOs) is by far my favorite characteristic of the Columbus Region. Whether it’s multi-jurisdictional partnerships or one community helping another with a sample agreement, we all work together to advance the region. ? What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? ? I started my career in real estate. In an effort to build a client base, I began volunteering at a local chamber of commerce. Eventually, I was offered a job at that chamber, which led to my first experience in economic development. I was fortunate enough to be recruited to work for a larger economic development initiative in Columbus, where I have remained for over 20 years. I love the work I do and see it as a privilege to represent an organization like One Columbus and a thriving market like the Columbus Region. ? Meet more incredible North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers and other industry leaders at ECONOMIX 2024 in Salt Lake City this November 19-21. Register here: https://lnkd.in/g-NKGQNd ? #economicdevelopment #econdev #award ?

Our team is thrilled to bring you another #NATop50 highlight, this time for Marc Valenzuela, Senior Economic Development Project Manager at Salt River Project (SRP). Marc is an outstanding leader in the profession and a prominent figure in his community. Read on to learn more about Marc: ? What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? ? I love the diversity and natural beauty of Arizona. From boating on the Salt River to hiking in the national forest to off-roading through the desert, there’s something for everyone here. Not to mention the fantastic food scene! ? What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? ? I stumbled into it. I came to Arizona to complete my degree, hoping to get into government relations, and ended up with an internship at ASU's Economic Development Group. I loved it. What’s kept me here is the opportunity to learn, solve complex problems, and create strong opportunities for our residents. ? Who has been your greatest mentor? I’ve been fortunate to have many great mentors over the years. The two most consistent throughout my time in economic development have been Aric Bopp and Karla Moran. They are the people I turn to for advice on career development, project assistance, and even future opportunities. ? What is your economic development superpower? ? My superpower is working with stakeholders and clients to fully understand a project’s utility requirements, then collaborating to create an effective response. Power details are becoming more nuanced, so ensuring the right data is evaluated is crucial. ? What is your favorite economic development memory? ? My favorite economic development memories often involve Consultant Connect. They have an incredible ability to bring amazing people together regularly. Many of the folks I’ve met, both on the economic development and site selection sides, remain good friends to this day. ? Consultant Connect is so fortunate to have an amazing lineup of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developer Awardees for 2024. Meet them all here: https://lnkd.in/dpMqSunD ? #economicdevelopment #econdev #award

Let’s hear it for another incredible North America’s Top 50 Economic Developer Awardee: Marvin Price, Executive Vice President of Economic Development at the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce! Read on to learn more about Marvin: ? How has economic development changed since you entered the field? ? Economic development has undergone a significant transformation since I first entered the field. One notable change is the amount of research clients conduct about a community before reaching out. Today, they come armed with heaps of data and insights about our area, thanks to the internet and advanced analytics. It’s like they’ve already peeked behind the curtain before the show even starts! This shift challenges us to stay ahead of the game, ensuring our communities shine in the digital spotlight and offering an unforgettable experience. ? What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? ? My favorite characteristic of the Greensboro area, nestled within the vibrant Triad region, is its perfect blend of big-city amenities and small-town charm. In Greensboro, I get the best of both worlds—major league sports and Broadway shows combined with the warm community spirit and collaborative mindset of the Triad. ? What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? ? What led me to economic development was a mix of curiosity, a passion for problem-solving, and a desire to make a meaningful impact in my community. I’ve always been fascinated by how economies work and their potential for growth and prosperity. Economic development allowed me to channel that fascination into tangible action, whether it’s attracting new businesses, revitalizing neighborhoods, or creating job opportunities for local residents. ? What’s kept me here is the endless opportunity for innovation and the fulfillment that comes from seeing positive change take shape. ? What is your economic development superpower? ? If I had an economic development superpower, it would be my ability to build relationships and foresee what’s on the horizon. Like a seasoned detective, I have a sixth sense for connecting with people, forging meaningful partnerships, and uncovering hidden opportunities. Whether I’m chatting with local entrepreneurs over coffee or networking with industry leaders at conferences, I thrive on building bridges and nurturing connections that pave the way for future success. ? Meet up with North America’s Top 50 Awardees this year at ECONOMIX 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Claim your seat now: https://lnkd.in/g-NKGQNd ? #economicdevelopment #econdev #award

?? Exciting News: Registration for the Women’s Summit is NOW OPEN! ?? Are you ready to connect with powerhouse women in economic development and site selection? Join us March 5-7 at the Ritz-Carlton Las Colinas for an exclusive event designed to inspire, empower, and elevate female leaders in the industry. What to expect: Insightful, one-on-one discussions with top female site selectors Strategies to advance your career in economic development Networking with a community of like-minded, trailblazing women The luxury and excellence of the Ritz-Carlton experience Don't miss your chance to be part of this incredible event! Register today and take the next step in your leadership journey. ?? Register Now: https://lnkd.in/gJQvY9JY #WomensSummit #EconomicDevelopment #SiteSelection #WomenInLeadership #Networking #Empowerment #CareerGrowth #ConsultantConnect

Let’s hear it for Kyle Wagner, Economic Development Officer for the City of Henderson, Nevada! Kyle is one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Development Awardees for 2024, and we’re excited to share a bit of his story below: ? Looking back at your career so far, what makes you most proud or fulfilled? ? I take pride in evaluating the regional landscape and creating programs that fill gaps and address needs. Recently, I launched a Workforce Huddle program that supports local company HR professionals. It addresses a clear need while complementing the existing workforce ecosystem. ? What shifts do you feel will happen in the profession over the next five years? ? AI will help us identify target industries, perform workforce modeling, and more. Companies will use AI to inform expansion and relocation decisions, challenging us to consistently provide a meaningful value proposition for our communities. ? What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? ? Henderson is a unique community. We’re the second-largest city in Nevada and are nationally recognized as a leader in public safety and recreation. While we have our own distinct identity, our proximity to Las Vegas gives us access to a world-class airport and entertainment options. ? What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? ? After earning my MBA, I started working at a communications firm. The work wasn’t as fulfilling as I had hoped, but I was assigned an economic development organization (EDO) as a client. I became fascinated by their impact on the region and eventually joined their team! ? What is your favorite economic development memory? ? Early in my career, we were incubating a tech company that was offered significant financial incentives to relocate. We worked diligently to retain them, and during a panel discussion I was moderating, the CFO surprised everyone by announcing they were staying. ? Ready to level up your economic development journey? Join us for ECONOMIX 2024 this November in Salt Lake City, and congratulate the #NATop50 awardees in person! Register here: https://lnkd.in/g-NKGQNd ? #economicdevelopment #econdev #award