Economic Development Skill Set Overview and Agenda
Sheraton Hotel
925 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
December 10th, 2008
8:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Registration Starts at 7:30 a.m.
Click Here to register! 
Economic development practitioners wear many hats. They can be the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, government liaison, public relations manger and treasurer all in one day. Elected officials and the local government staff also play a critical role in economic development. The Economic Development Skill Set involved in managing all of this activity is critical. Fundamental skills, such as leadership, professionalism, negotiation and relationship management are all necessary to be successful.
This program delves into several basic leadership and management areas for both economic development executives and government officials.
Agenda
7:30 a.m. Registration
8:00—9:10 a.m. Facilitative Leadership – Developing Leaders in Your Community
Leadership is not only about the ideas of one person their ability to know what to do; it is also about the ability to develop other leaders to work towards the same goals. Learn how to develop and motivate leaders in your community by using this collaborative leadership practice.
David Hollister, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prima Civitas Foundation
9:10—9:15 a.m. Networking Break
9:15—10:30 a.m. Leading Community Leaders
With a variety of high profile business and community leaders on their board of directors, learn how these economic development leaders communicate and motivate them to an agenda and action plan that puts the health of the overall community first.
Moderator: John Czarnecki, President and CEO, Clinton County Economic Alliance.
Panel: JoAnn Crary, CEcD, President, Saginaw Future Inc.
Scott Fleming, President and CEO, The Enterprise Group of Jackson
James Hettinger, President and CEO, Battle Creek Unlimited, Inc.
George Jackson, President and CEO, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (invited)
10:30—10:45 a.m. Networking Break
10:45—12:00 p.m. Role of Elected Officials in Economic Development
Defining the role of elected officials, such as the city council and board of directors, in operations funding/financing and policy issues, etc., is important towards collaboratively growing a community. This session will look at the roles of elected officials – what they should and shouldn’t do.
Virg Bernero, Mayor, City of Lansing
12:00—12:45 p.m. Lunch and Membership Meeting
12:45—1:00 p.m. CDBG Update
1:00—2:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
>>Budgeting for Economic Development
This session will encompass the fundamentals of balancing and conducting a budget for an economic development organization; how to piece together funding from different sources to make a complete package; how to address/use the County or local government, grants, etc. and bind them into one budget; how to mesh a board's planning and strategic goals with their ability to implement them.
Maureen Donohue Krauss, Deputy Director, Oakland County Economic Development and Community Affairs
>>Relationship Management
Economic development involves maintaining relationships with many people, organizations and the media at the same time. Learn the best ways to maintain these relationships, even through tough times.
Kelly Rossman-McKinney, APR, Chief Executive Officer, The Rossman Group
>>Local Government’s Role in Economic Development
City, Township and Village Managers and County Administrators are increasingly having roles in economic development projects. This session will look at their roles and how to increase their effectiveness.
Frank Walsh, City Manager, City of St. Joseph
Tobi Lake, Administrator, Newaygo County
2:00—2:15 p.m. Networking Break
2:15—3:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
>>Financing an Economic Development Organization
Whether it is through a capital campaign, membership, government funding, grants or other fundraising activities, organizations need to have a healthy, stable budget to be successful. Learn techniques to maximize financing for your organization.
Justin Horvath, Director, Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership
>>Working with International Companies Professionally
International investment in our economy is growing and it is important to know what international companies are seeking when they prospect in your area, attend trade shows, etc. Learn how to work professionally with different cultures on attraction and retention deals.
James Hettinger, President and CEO, Battle Creek Unlimited, Inc.
>>Negotiating the Deal
Brush up your skills on negotiating a project, selling strategies and creating an excellent presentation. Participate in interactive mock negotiations. Hear both good and bad examples of strategies for negotiating an economic development deal.
Dawn Baetsen, CEcD, Managing Partner, Atlas Insight