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08-25-2016: MEDA Annual Meeting

Michigan Business Network
July 30, 2016 11:30 AM

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This yearly event will be held on Tuesday, August 23 - Friday, August 26, 2016, at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit, MI.

MEDA's biggest education and networking event of the year is its Annual Meeting. This three- to four-day conference (depending on the year) includes educational sessions covering the most important economic development topics and issues of the time as well as several networking opportunities.

In order to develop the best conference, a volunteer committee of MEDA members meets regularly to plan the Annual Meeting. Click here to learn more about the Annual Meeting Committee.

This year, our focus is you and your community.

What gets you the most “bang for your buck”? Often in economic development, it’s reusing an asset that already has a foundation in the community, whether it be a building, a natural resource or the people living there.

The annual meeting will teach you how to develop an eye for aspects of your community that have the potential for greatness as well as how to rebrand and promote the unique features your community already boasts.

Thought leaders will also touch on rethinking funding, reanalyzing your region and relearning your craft so you can prepare your economic development organization’s practices to address the future needs of the economic drivers in its area.

And this year, we’re taking you out of the conference room and on location in the heart of Detroit to see the city’s diversity firsthand -- from Corktown to the world-famous Eastern Market, and an optional golf outing at Fieldstone Golf Course in Auburn Hills.

We hope that you will join us in Michigan’s All-American Comeback City because no matter how big or small your community may be, YOU are an integral piece of Michigan’s economy, Michigan’s diversity and Michigan’s history.

Agenda

Thursday, August 25th

8:00 a.m. Registration Opens

8:30 a.m. Welcome Back to Detroit; This Week and The Future
Mike Duggan, Mayor, City of Detroit
Rodrick Miller
, President and Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Economic Growth Corp.

9:00 a.m. REvision 
If you don’t know who Dan Gilbert, most likely you are living under a boulder! His name and his companies Quicken Loans and Rock Ventures, LLC have become synonymous with a rising a phoenix within Detroit. Known for the huge impact he has made in the city with a variety of investments, gain insight from one of his top staffers on how they are attracting investors to, and creating growth in, your community or region by learning what it was that Dan saw in the city years ago that started his road to investment, changes in the city that drove his investment strategy and who his “development” mentor was. What is Rock Venture’s vision for the city in 5 years, 10 years, farther? In addition, Matt can share his thoughts on who should be on the most successful team to put together for development success in any community.
Matthew P. Cullen, President & CEO, Rock Ventures LLC

9:30 a.m. Networking Break
Browse exhibits, meet and greet, and learn about the programs and services provided by the Corporate, Gold, and Silver sponsors of the 2016 Annual Meeting.

9:40 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

>> Repurposing Small Buildings 
Given the fluid nature of small businesses, whether it be through merger or failure, a lot of small buildings are left with FOR SALE or RENT signs in their windows in towns, cities and villages. More often, communities are left trying to find tenants without making changes that will compromise local heritage. Hear some experiences and learn some good practices for the adaptive reuse of small buildings. 
Moderator: Ara Topouzian, President and Chief Executive Officer, Troy Chamber of Commerce
Panelists:
Lynn Drake, President, Compass Commerical
Todd Fenton
, Economic Development Manager, City of Royal Oak

Justin Horvath, CEcD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership
 community development - small business - reuse - real estate - local 

>> Rebranding Your Community
A good brand is an integral part of a community’s ability to attract investment, tourism, residents and create pride for current residents. Sometimes, due to the loss of a major company or just a desire to become greater, rebranding is necessary. Learn the components of a successful rebranding initiative.
Mark Lantz, Founder and Partner, Factory Detroit, Inc.
 community development - branding - marketing - attraction - local 

>> Rethinking Funding
This session will cover strategies for funding economic development. The speaker, who has years of experience in working with large and small communities, will delve into best practices for running a successful campaign, how to develop a long-term strategy for sustainable funding, and how to implement that strategy with tips on maintaining relationships with your investors. 
Chip Holcombe, Managing Director, Investor Relations, Columbus 2020
 sustainable funding - large and small communities - investor relations - compaign 

10:40 a.m. Networking Break

10:50 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

>> Repurposing Major Assets
Filling a large property left by a corporate giant is very challenging but vital for a communities that do not want to be known for a big empty building, especially if it’s an eyesore. What strategies can be used to change a significant liability into a major asset? What has been done with large buildings? Talk to those that have worked on a major redevelopment. 
Moderator: Janice Karcher, Vice President, Economic Development, Flint and Genesee Chamber of Commerce
Panelists:
Steven Black, CEcD, Transaction Manager, RACER Trust
Paul Glantz, CEO, Emagine Theaters
Brad OleshanskyFounder and CEO, M1 Concourse
 large property - reuse - redevelopment - financing - community reputation 

>> Reducing Social Disparities
Social disparities in a region can threaten growth and prosperity. These disparities can be evident in many areas of economic development: housing, transportation, health care, education and employment. Many economic development leaders are recognizing and implementing initiatives that help to reduce the gaps and create social equity.
Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEcD, President and CEO, Invest Atlanta
 poverty - creating prosperity - equity - reducing gaps - solutions 

>> Re-invention of the Auto Industry 
The automotive industry is undergoing a period of intense transformation brought on by both consumer demands and government regulation. Connected/automated vehicles have garnered the lion’s share of recent media attention, but other factors, including fuel economy improvements, emissions reductions, and safety enhancements, are also transforming vehicles and the automotive industry itself. This presentation will investigate how the industry is meeting these challenges through new approaches in powertrain, materials, and connectivity.
Bernard Swiecki, Director, Automotive Communities Partnership(ACP) and Senior Automotive Analyst , Industry, Labor, & Economics Group, Center for Automotive Research
 auto industry - transformation - automation - fuel economy 

11:50 a.m. Lunch, Membership Meeting and Keynote Session

Redefining the Role of Utilities in Economic Development
Michigan’s utility companies are enthusiastic about economic development! Their leaders will tell you about the changes that they are making in order to be more proactive and aggressive in attracting and retaining business to our state.
Trevor Lauer, President and Chief Operating Officer, DTE Energy
Patti Poppe, President and Chief Executive Officer, Consumers Energy

1:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

>> Repurposing Your Water Resources 
To be in or adjacent to Michigan is to be near water. To know how to use that beloved natural resource to the advantage of the area economy is to be a creative developer. Two distinct Michigan communities will talk about how projects involving water have caused a wave of local economic activity for them. Also learn about how water in one non-Michigan community is helping its economy while taking care of the Great Lakes.
Dean Amhaus, President and CEO, The Water Council
Michelle Aniol, Community Development Manager, City of Dexter
Tutt Gorman, City Manager, City of Portland
 community development - water - business development - tourism - reuse - natural resources 

>> Retweeting Your Message
Whether your community is presenting a new brand or wants to spread the word about its existing value, knowing how to stand out among the hundreds of messages that your target audiences see every day is a good start. Learn how to plan, launch and execute a successful campaign that will grow pride in your community’s brand. 
Kaitlin Keeler, Digital Editorial Manager – eGovernment, Oakland County - Information Technology
 branding - marketing - attraction - social media - campaign 

>> Rethinking Your Region
Now that region-based economic development is an established strategy, there are any examples of success from around the country. This session will give you new ideas for taking advantage of your regional program.
Britt Harter, Manager, Sustainable Business Solutions, PwC
 region - partnerships - strategy - examples of success - tips 

2:30 p.m. Concurrent Tours

>> Downtown/Midtown Tour
Details off all of the cool things that you will experience on this tour are coming soon! You can register for the conference now and add the tours later!

>> Detroit Bike Tour/Meet-Up
For more info, contact Jennifer Bruen, 517-353-9555, bruenjen@msu.edu.

5:00 p.m. New Member and Awards Reception
This year, we've combined two receptions that we typically hold adjacent. Everyone is invited to welcome new members of the Association. While you are there, help us recognize economic developers that have stood out in their field. During the Awards Reception, the MEDA Medalist of the Year, Mike Conboy Professional Development Award and the Marketing Competition Awards will be given.

6:30 p.m. Dinner Meet-ups Around Town (on own)

 

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