Economic Development; Pushing the Boundaries
Saying that nothing else can be invented is as false a statement as it was when said in the late 1800’s.
Saying that nothing new can be done during tough economic times should be held in the same regard.
Highlighted troubles with the State’s economy can seem like all-encompassing boundaries and sometimes it feels like nothing can be done. This program is about pushing existing boundaries to grow the economy locally or on a large scale.
Whether it is geographical boundaries, collaboration with perceived competition or finding someone who has the right advice, people and organizations in Michigan are not turning around when they see boundaries; they are pushing them aside and seeing benefit from their part in Michigan’s economy.
December 4th, 2009
Lexington (formerly the Sheraton) Lansing Hotel
Lansing, Michigan
Registration Fees
MEDA Members: $80
Non-MEDA Members: $150
International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Members: $80
The registration deadline is November 27th.
Click Here to Register Now!
Agenda
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Sanity and Insanity in Government Cooperation
Learn about the challenges faced when local government units collaborate and hear suggestions of what can be done to simplify cooperative efforts in economic development.
Charles Eckenstahler, Consultant Advisor, McKenna Associates
9:30 a.m. Networking Break
9:45 a.m. Are You Film Ready and Do You Want to Be?
When a film comes to your community, it comes – and likely goes – quickly. Some communities have already taken the needed steps to be prepared for their community becoming the set of a movie. Learn from one such community, a film producer and a movie scout about what you need to be prepared.
Ara Topouzian, Economic Development Director, City of Novi
Bob Brown, Producer and Managing Partner, Charity Island Pictures and Purple Rose Films
Local film scout (tentative)
10:45 a.m. Networking Break
11:00 a.m. Universities in Economic Development
Support from Universities is becoming a strong component of economic development in the form of research initiatives, commercialization, entrepreneurial spinoff companies and the like. Learn about the University Research Corridor’s Economic Impact as well as how working with universities can change the economic climate.
Randal Charlton, Executive Director, TechTown, Wayne State University Research & Technology Park
Charley Hasemann, Executive Director, Business-CONNECT, Michigan State University
Jeff Mason, Executive Director, University Research Corridor
Daryl Weinert, Executive Director, Business Engagement Center, University of Michigan
12:00 p.m. Lunch and Membership Meeting
1:00 p.m. Regional Tourism
For Michigan to compete for talent and tourists, it is important to build and link communities. Learn about holistic strategies where a region’s assets are used to attract people and business investment including building a new regional identity, creating effective tourism marketing campaigns and connecting tourism efforts to broader economic development.
Jim Townsend, Executive Director, Tourism Economic Development Council, Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau
1:45 p.m. Networking Break
2:00 p.m. Growing Your Own Entrepreneurs
This session will highlight two unique business incubators – one created by a local partnership and another by two entrepreneurs dedicated to making other entrepreneurs’ dreams come true. Both support small business and the economy in their own way.
Tech Innovation Center, East Lansing
Jeff Smith, Project Manager, City of East Lansing
E Loft, Marquette
Dar Shepherd, Entrepreneur, Business Coach & Consultant, E Loft
Christi Pentecost, Educator & Entrepreneur, E Loft
Chris Holman, Small Business Advocate for Michigan
3:30 p.m. Networking Break
3:40 p.m. Grown Entrepreneurs
Successful entrepreneurs will talk about their experiences, their needs, how economic developers could help them and what they would have done differently.
Barbara Jenness, DogWood Farm, L.L.C.
Craig Richardson, President, E. Z. C. Enterprises LLC
4:40 p.m. Adjourn