ARS Regional Strategies Forum:
Regional Prosperity in a Changing Landscape

8:00 - 9:00 am

Registration and Continental breakfast

9:00 - 9:30 am

Welcome/State of the Association: Speaker: Richard C.D. Fleming, President and CEO, St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association

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9:30 - 11:00 am
Opening Keynote Session

Repositioning Your Region for the 21st Century: How to Promote Long-Term Value
Speaker: Michael Gallis, Principal, Michael Gallis & Associates

Regardless of the state of the global economy, business-civic organizations need to focus on building long-term value for their region. There must be a compelling story to tell that provides the context for how a region should grow; a frame that includes infrastructure, the economy and the environment.

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Use of any part of this presentation must be approved by Michael Gallis and Associates.

Building Friends and Influencing Regional Competitiveness
Speaker: Ted Abernathy, Executive Director, Southern Growth Policies Board

Whether urban, suburban, or rural, success in the 21st century will be dependent on the ability of places to create flexible, results-focused collaboration. In a world where data noise is paralyzing, what can places do to convert noise into information and actions that will help them become more competitive? Ted will talk about why collaboration with both your allies and your competitors is necessary; ways to combat parochialism, and tools to create consensus.

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11:00 – 11:15 am

Break

11:15 - 12:30 pm
Moring Breakout Sessions

Regional Organizational Models that Work
Speakers:

• F. Michael Langley, President, Langley Group
• Robert L. Quick, CCE, President and CEO, Commerce Lexington

Examine effective organizational models for regional groups. The session's presenters will provide historical, political and geographic context to understand how their organizational structures have evolved. Funding, geographic considerations and governance will also be explored.

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Download Bob Quick's presentation

The Power of Place
Speaker: Robert McNulty, President, Partners for Livable Communities

Successful regions have learned to leverage cultural assets, such as museums, parks, other quality of life features to impact their economy. Learn the secrets to successful talent attraction, educational excellence, investment appeal and tourism to be found in cultural asset enhancement.

12:30 – 1:45 pm

Awards Luncheon with Presentations
Join us as we recognize winners of the 2009 ARS Organizational Champion and the 2009 John Parr Individual Leadership Awards.

1:45 - 3:00 pm
Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Lessons in Regional Sustainable Development
Speakers:

• Aaron Nelson, President and CEO, Chapel Hill (NC) Chamber of Commerce
• Drew Moretz, Vice President, Government Relations, Greater Raleigh (NC) Chamber of Commerce
• Kristi Wyatt, Sr. Vice President, Greater Kansas City (MO) Chamber of Commerce
  

Since the 2006 launch of the ACCE-Ford Foundation Fellowship for Regional Sustainable Development, 90 business-civic leaders have completed the program and are now part of a larger movement to create sustainable, competitive regions.  Graduates from the 2008-09 class will share key lessons learned and discuss how business-civic leaders are influencing the regional agenda. 

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Is Sustainability Sustainable
Speaker: Doug Henton, Chairman & CEO, Collaborative Economics

In the current economic climate is “green” still the way of the future or will recovery trump environmental sustainability?

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3:00 – 3:15 pm

Break

3:15 – 4:00 pm
Closing Keynote

The Future of Civic Leadership – Who will lead our regions out of recession and into economic renewal?
Speaker: Joe Roman, President and CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership

The return to economic vitality for each of our regions will demand visionary civic leaders: individuals who are strong enough to make hard decisions and confident enough to bring the broader community along.  Joe Roman, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland (OH) Partnership, will investigate the multi-faceted issue of civic leadership.

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5:30 - 7:00 pm

ACCE Welcome Reception
Sponsored by the Carolina Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives