Sessions
Monday, Sept. 15th: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Tuesday, Sept. 16th: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Monday, September 15
Tennessee’s Competitive Edge: Roadmap for a Successful Project
What are the tangible and intangible factors that go into a company's decision to locate or expand? Learn the top reasons why projects land and the top reasons they don't. Also hear about the latest Tennessee incentive offerings.
Making Global Connections
Tennessee’s international consultants answer your questions about foreign interest in the U.S. market.
The Housing Crisis
Congress has just passed the most far reaching housing bill in decades. What does it mean for your community and are you poised to take advantage?
10 - 10:15 a.m. Break
Wiki Your Way to Making Contacts
With a few simple steps, you can let the Internet find prospects for you or notify you when a competitor wins a project.
Making Cents of Grants
Learn the most effective way of applying for grant money through ECD.
Bone Dry: planning to avoid water issues
A lack of planning on water issues can get you cut from a project’s short list. Find out how ECD Local Planning can help you avoid the problem.
11:15 - 11:30 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Commissioner’s Luncheon
Featuring Andy Serwer, Managing Editor of Fortune Magazine
1:15 - 1:30 p.m. Break
Rocky Road Ahead for Automotive?
Amid layoffs and plant closures, the U.S. auto industry appears to be headed for the ditch, but a panel of experts says “not so fast.”
Positive Presentations
It’s your time in the spotlight. Don’t drop the ball!
Building a Web Site Consultants Can Use
Economic development consultant Mark James tells you what kind of information consultants REALLY need from your website.
2:30 - 2:45 p.m. Break top
A Look Ahead at Three-Star
Learn about changes to ECD’s nationally recognized community development program.
Entrepreneurship, Tennessee Style
BERO releases results of a study conducted by UT on entrepreneurship in our state.
How Google put McMinnville on the Map
How did an innovative new Internet mapping application lead the world’s leading search engine to McMinnville?
Sustainable Tourism: Why it Makes Both Dollars and Sense!
Sustainable tourism creates economically attractive communities by preserving and enhancing an area's distinctive environmental beauty, culture and heritage. Over the past year, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has become a national leader in this important arena. Come and learn how to attract the affluent heritage/eco-conscious traveler, and how the new Civil War Trails program can be one turn-key way to boost tourism in your local economy.
What Next?
How can you help your business community recover following a natural disaster?
Second Summit
In early 2008, community leaders from across Tennessee met at Fall Creek Falls to meet with ECD’s new Rural Economic Development Specialists. What’s resulted from that meeting?
4:45 - 5:30 p.m. Break
5:30 – 7 p.m. Three-Star and Tennessee Main Street Reception top
Tuesday, September 16
Incubators: Economic Gardening for Small Business
Data suggests small business creates more jobs than large companies. Do you have the infrastructure in place to help your small businesses succeed?
Ask the Commissioner
How did Tennessee land VW? What other industry sectors might follow? What new incentive programs might be in the offing? Here’s your chance to ask Commissioner Matt Kisber directly.
Is Your Web Site Secure?
Could your website be taken over by someone you don’t know? Could you lose a project because of it? Learn how to keep your web site tamper-proof.
10 - 10:15 a.m. Break top
PILOT's 201
After last year’s basic course on PILOTs, attorneys Joe Gibbs, Tom Trent and Jim Murphy return to discuss practical steps you can take to make your PILOT work and pitfalls to avoid.
Clean Jobs, Bright Future
Tennessee will be holding its first-ever Governor's Summit on Clean Energy Technology in October. Learn more about creating jobs in the growing economic sector focused on energy reduction and environmental stewardship
Secrets of the Site Selectors
Every site consultant has his own bag of tricks when it comes to identifying and negotiating with communities. Learn from the best in the business in this session.
11:15 - 11:30 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Governor’s Luncheon with Governor Phil Bredesen top
1 - 1:15 p.m. Break
Weak Dollar, Strong Prospects
A weakened dollar is making more foreign companies look at planting a flag in the U.S. How do you make sure you’re on their short list?
The Orange Carpet Tour
The first round of highly publicized Orange Carpet Tours is nearly complete. Find out from the communities who participated what they think about the experience and the lessons they learned
Keeping Your Main Street Flourishing
Communities across America are putting renewed emphasis on making downtown viable. Learn from the National Main Street program who’s doing it right.
Making your Day on the Hill a Day to Remember!
Leadership groups visit the legislature, but often leave disappointed. How can you make the most of your time with state decision makers?
The Entrepreneurial Spirit
Business groups like the Kauffman Foundation call Tennessee one of the most entrepreneurial states in the nation. You’ve heard the report from U-T on entrepreneurship in Tennessee, how can you use that information to make businesses flourish in your community?
Work Force: THE #1 Priority for Business
UT Economist Dr. Bill Fox discusses Tennessee’s first-ever statewide report on available labor and its impact on local communities.
* Please note: All sessions and times subject to change. Speakers will be announced soon.top