Consultant Connect

We are thrilled to celebrate Dylan Horne as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2024! Dylan, a Project Manager at the Metro Atlanta Chamber, enhances the economic vitality of his region through his leadership and dedication. Let’s meet Dylan! How has economic development changed since you entered the field? Availability of talent and hiring diverse talent have come to be at the forefront of key drivers for projects, as the adoption of remote work and the importance of workplace culture have prompted companies to reevaluate their talent attraction strategies. What shifts do you see in the profession over the next five years? I believe that industries such as CleanTech, AI, and Biotechnology will grow to dominate the industry over the next five years due to a combination of the effects of the pandemic, sustainability initiatives, and innovation in technology and automation. What is your favorite characteristic of your region? My favorite characteristic of my region is the team approach we take to economic development. Metro Atlanta and Georgia's continued success is the direct result of this collaborative spirit shared among all partners across the state as part of "Team Georgia." What is a personal goal you’re excited to achieve? July. My personal goal is to train and to beat my race time from the previous year. I look forward to achieving this goal again this year. What led you to economic development? My family and I moved from Japan because of economic development, with the location of Suzuki Manufacturing in Rome. I am honored to now be able to sell my home state so that families like mine can find similar opportunities to live and work in Georgia. What is your favorite economic development memory? Winning the U.S. Soccer Federation Headquarters project has been my favorite economic development memory, as it is a prime example of how all our partners were unified across multiple years in presenting the region for a complex and impactful project. Ready to celebrate these #NATop50 awardees? Join us at ECONOMIX 2024, November 19-21, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. https://lnkd.in/gPeSaaU6 #economicdevelopment #econdev #awards

Did you know that NEXT 2024 is just around the corner? Take the NEXT step in your career with our leadership development course designed specifically for emerging economic developer professionals. Join us on August 28-29 at the Virgin Hotel in Dallas, Texas. For a $3,500 investment, you’ll receive: 🛏 A one-night hotel stay 📊 Gallup Strengths Assessment 🤝 Two executive coaching sessions Join a cohort of like-minded professionals and build a strong network of support. Gain invaluable insights from industry experts like Matthew McQuade and Justin T. Bickle, and connect with site consultants eager to share their insights. Ready to elevate your career? Submit a short, one-question application today: https://lnkd.in/g22gQsg6 OR Do you know an economic developer who: 🔹 Was recently promoted? 🔹 Is emerging in the industry? 🔹 Has just switched jobs? 🔹 Is eager to grow? 🔹 Is looking for a network? 🔹 Wants to enhance their site consultant engagement skills? Share this post with them or nominate someone here: https://lnkd.in/gtwASQe9 Remember, applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. Apply and nominate now before the class fills up! #economicdevelopment #econdev #leadership

We’re wrapping up this week’s #NATop50 Awardee highlights by celebrating David Putnam, CEcD, CWD, Senior Director of Economic Development at the Alamance Chamber. David is an experienced economic development professional with creative ideas that are making his community a better place. We are thrilled to congratulate David as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2024! Read on to hear some of David’s insights: How has economic development changed since you entered the field? Economic development has rapidly evolved since my first day on the job. Two things, in particular, stand out the most. Recruitment projects have swelled in size, and we've fully transitioned into a new era of economic development focused on talent. Project sizes have increased dramatically, supporting a surge of new investments in communities. Meanwhile, the war for talent rages on, with unemployment rates consistently low in our region, employers innovating to retain talent, and economic development organizations scaling their capacity as workforce development practitioners as well (and vice versa).   What shifts do you feel will happen in the profession over the next five years? I truly believe A.I. will be a complete game changer for everyone, from our global economic development environment to localized economic development. I am not clear on where it will go and how much of a disruptor it will be, but it could be both a solution and a challenge that economic developers will need to pay close attention to over the next five years.   What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? No matter how big we've become or how much we continue to grow, it still feels accessible, welcoming, and like a giant neighborhood. People here have no problem driving 30 minutes to another city in the region to enjoy what we can offer, and Alamance County is fortunate enough to be at the center of it all. I often say to clients and on site visits that we are the knot in the middle of the bowtie—giving you access to the best that North Carolina has to offer.   What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? Like many practitioners, I had a very winding path to economic development. ... A mentor of mine challenged me to train and become a public administrator. Through that path, I found economic development while working at a council of governments. What has kept me in the field is the diversity of work, the camaraderie of practitioners, and the passion for sparking meaningful and transformative investments in the community that I serve. Join us in congratulating David and all our North America Top 50 Economic Developers in person at ECONOMIX 2024, November 19-21 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Secure your seat: https://lnkd.in/g-NKGQNd #economicdevelopment #econdev #leadership

Meet some of the site consultants attending ECONOMIX 2024! Get ready to connect with the industry's top site consultants at ECONOMIX 2024! This is your chance to expand your network and learn from the best, including some new faces. At ECONOMIX, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with 24+ location consultants through on-stage panels, presentations, expedition breakout sessions, and dedicated Site Consultant Office Hours. Showcase your community’s story or book one-on-one time with consultants throughout the conference. Here’s a sneak peek of some of the experts you'll meet: Alan Reeves, Newmark Amy Gerber, Cushman & Wakefield Ann Rybka, Atlas Insight LLC Ann Harts, CRESA Chris Schastok, CBRE Fred Ragsdale II, CBRE Greg Word, VisionFirst Advisors, LLC Jeff Pappas, Newmark Kathy Mussio, Atlas Insight LLC Kevin Nesburg, Newmark Lindsey Cannon CRE®, Quest Site Solutions Spencer Donahue, CBRE Susan Arledge, SIOR, Newmark Thane Hutcheson, Altus Group Don't miss this opportunity to learn and connect with the best of the best. Register now: https://lnkd.in/g-NKGQNd #economicdevelopment #econdev #Economix2024

Meet Clark Duncan, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and a recipient of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developer Award for 2024. Clark is a dedicated economic development professional with a heart for servant leadership. Since becoming Senior VP at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Clark has helped increase economic vitality for his region and continues to make strides in inclusivity and sustainability for all in the Asheville area. Looking back at your career so far, what makes you most proud or fulfilled? The AVL 5x5 Strategy established a vision for inclusive prosperity and the core values of economic sustainability that guide the work of the EDC today. This new foundation has delivered new partnerships, innovative programming, and record-breaking results. What shifts do you feel will happen in the profession over the next five years? Site Selection is increasingly driven by the skill, depth, and projected growth of the local workforce. To remain competitive, leading communities and economic developers will need to forge new partnerships and new approaches to childcare, education, and housing. What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? For a metro region just shy of 500,000 residents, we very much rely on regionalism, cross-sector partnerships, and interpersonal relationships to get things done. This unified purpose remains an asset and differentiator in the work of economic development. What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? I am fortunate to have found a career that aligns with my purpose, supports my family, and helps my neighbors do the same. Our profession builds more than a tax base; it strengthens neighborhoods, communities, and a brighter future for the place we call home. What is your favorite economic development memory? The Pratt & Whitney project announcement in late 2020 represented a sea change for the regional economy. Even more importantly, in the pandemic era, it offered a timely reminder of what we could accomplish together with partnership and community ambition. Meet all the #NATop50 award recipients here: https://lnkd.in/dpMqSunD #economicdevelopment #econdev #leadership

The Consultant Connect team had an incredible time last week in Brooklyn, NY! A huge thank you to the New York City Economic Development Corporation team for their warm hospitality in hosting us and for showcasing their East Brooklyn and Jamaica neighborhoods. During our visit to the Big Apple, we: ✅ Guided 7 site selectors on NYCEDC’s tour of East Brooklyn and Jamaica ✅ Explored the last remaining seltzer plant, Brooklyn Seltzer Boys, in NYC ✅ Engaged with 20 site consultants over two days of Summit meetings ✅ Learned about key trends in the industry from the site selectors ✅ Celebrated with a fantastic dinner at the historic Gage & Tollner restaurant There are only a few spots left for the 2024 Summit Series. Don't miss your chance to join us! Secure your seat at the table here: https://lnkd.in/gZmRac6v #economicdevelopment #econdev #NYC

We’re heading into another week full of #NATop50 celebrations! Congratulations to Callie Cook, Director of Business Development at the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. We are incredibly impressed by her dedication to her community and to economic development as a whole. Read on to learn more from Callie. What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? My favorite characteristic of Tennessee is the spirit and quality of its people. Tennesseans are known for their kindness and hard work. Our strong foundation of community-minded individuals promotes a welcoming and supportive environment across the state. What led you to economic development? What has kept you here? My journey into economic development was driven by a desire to make a difference in Tennessee communities. Economic development perfectly blends my passion for fostering meaningful relationships, my commitment to service, and my eagerness to learn something new every day. The sense of teamwork through project collaboration with our state, regional, and local partners keeps me in this field. Everyone is passionately working towards the same goal of making the state a better place for Tennesseans. It is incredibly rewarding to see the direct impact of our efforts. Want to meet North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2024? Join us at ECONOMIX, November 19-21 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and celebrate these economic development leaders with us. Register here: https://lnkd.in/g-NKGQNd #economicdevelopment #econdev #award

Looking for what’s NEXT in your career? Discover how our leadership development program can transform your professional journey. Hear from Matthew McQuade, Managing Principal at McQuade Economic Growth Advisors and NEXT 2016 alum: “Attending NEXT in the summer of 2016 was a turning point in my career. Economic development is a unique line of work; it's incredibly rewarding but can be emotionally taxing, bearing the weight of your community on your shoulders. Spending several days with young, like-minded leaders from across the country to discuss the industry, share insights, and be constantly reminded of our impact recharged my batteries. I returned to work motivated, with a new mindset of gratitude, and a network of new friends to rely on for professional advice.” At NEXT 2024, you'll have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders like Matthew McQuade, Justin T. Bickle, and Carla Sones, along with top site consultants. Connect with a network of economic development peers and elevate your career. Join the NEXT 2024 cohort today. Details: 📅 Dates: August 28-29, 2024 🗺 Venue: The Virgin Hotel Dallas, Dallas, Texas 💲 Investment: $3,500 (includes one-night hotel accommodation, a Gallup Strengths Assessment, and two executive coaching sessions) Apply now or nominate an economic developer for NEXT here: https://lnkd.in/gdWnaagq

A heartfelt congratulations to William P. Murphy, IOM, CEcD, EDFP, President and CEO of the Ardmore Development Authority, for being honored as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers! Consultant Connect is delighted to celebrate Bill's remarkable contributions to his community. Thank you, Bill, for sharing your wisdom and insights with us! How has economic development changed since you entered the field? "When I first entered economic development, it was a 'build it and they will come' mentality. Today, it is much more complex. Issues like quality of place, daycare, and other community concerns have become crucial in our project work."   What shifts do you feel will happen in the profession over the next five years? "Energy demands, global competition, automation, and artificial intelligence are going to fundamentally change how we do our jobs. Smaller and more rural communities will have new opportunities to compete for projects that they previously would not have had."   What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? "Ardmore is a smaller, rural community that offers access to the larger metros of Oklahoma City and Dallas-Fort Worth. It boasts short commute times, great recreational amenities, and the benefits of big-city access without the big-city headaches."   What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? "Like most economic developers, I think economic development found me. I was working at the local utility in Dayton, Ohio (Dayton Power & Light) and sort of stumbled into it. I have never looked back. There is something special about helping your community and working on something different almost every day."   What is your economic development superpower? "My superpower is my ability to build and maintain relationships and friendships with people I've met in economic development over the last 25 years. It's important to nurture those relationships, as you never know when someone might be a resource for you on a project or issue."   What is your favorite economic development memory? "My favorite economic development memory is attending the Farnborough Airshow in London in 2015. I was working with a local company on a big expansion, and they were attending the show. I had the opportunity to meet with the CEO at a reception before the show at the US Ambassador's home in Hyde Park. We ultimately landed the expansion project, and I believe our commitment to showing support at every opportunity (locally, at tradeshows, and corporately) made the difference." Visit https://lnkd.in/dpMqSunD to view all the #NATop50 award winners for 2024. #economicdevelopment #econdev #award

Hooray! It’s time for another #NATop50 Award highlight! Congratulations to Bethany Hartley, President and CEO of the South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership. Bethany has been instrumental in the growth of the South Bend - Elkhart region, and we couldn't be prouder to honor her with this award. Read on to learn more about Bethany! Looking back at your career so far, what makes you most proud or fulfilled? I am incredibly fulfilled by the team we've built at the South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership and by fostering trusted relationships across a multi-county region to drive catalytic investments into the area. What is a personal goal you’re really excited to achieve? I'm looking forward to earning my MBA from the University of Notre Dame in May 2026. What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? My personal mission is to have a positive impact on the community I live in. Through economic development, I get to do that every single day. Learn more about all the North America's Top 50 Economic Developer Awardees here >> https://lnkd.in/dpMqSunD #economicdevelopment #econdev #award