As part of a statewide effort to work creatively in generating economic growth, state and local non-profits have created an event series to highlight economic development strategies made successful through collaboration and pooled resources.
Building Momentum with Lean Resources is the theme of the first of three collaborative economic development summits to be launched on July 28 in Sacramento. The events are free and will include a luncheon discussion featuring John Shirey, executive director of the California Redevelopment Association on the topic of 'The Next Chapter of Redevelopment.' The summits will be hosted by California Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) in partnership with the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED).
Keynote speaker Nancy Lublin, founder of Dress for Success and CEO of DoSomething.org will speak on how economic development professionals can leverage existing creativity and pool resources by taking lessons from each other. Lublin, the author of Zilch: The Power of Zero in Business, speaks throughout the country to entrepreneurs about how to grow businesses and organizations while spending zilch.
Representatives from the Governor's Office of Economic Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce will take part in a panel discussion on regionalized best practices to generate economic growth using minimal available resources.
The summit will be simulcast live to additional "mini-summits" all over northern California as part of a goal to reach 1,000 economic developers across the state over summer 2011.
"What makes this summit series so exciting is that the program will reach more than 18 communities through broadband streaming and never impact city and county travel budgets," said California SBDC Chair Kristin Johnson. "Rural and metropolitan economic developers and partners don't typically have many opportunities to work together or share ideas and the California SBDC is proud to facilitate the interaction."
The event was designed to showcase out-of-the-box initiatives and ideas already proven to be successful in economic recovery efforts throughout the nation.
"These events are a great way to get attendees thinking about unique solutions to addressing local issues they may be dealing with," said Gurbax Sahota, chief operating officer for CALED. "Our expert speakers will provide tools, resources and motivation to get people collaborating."
This free event will be held July 28 at the Sacramento DoubleTree Hotel, 2001 Point West Way, from 8:30 a.m. to noon with check-in beginning at 8 a.m. Space is limited, registration is required. To learn more or sign up, go to californiasbdc.org/collaborative and click on the city you are interested in attending at. For additional information please call (707) 826-3919.
Contacts:
California Small Business Development Centers
Ann
Johnson-Stromberg, 707-599-6146
Communications
ann@californiasbdc.org