Save the Date! The Vail Valley Business Forum is returning on July 26 at the Westin Riverfront Resort from 8am-10:30am.
The Vail Valley Partnership & Economic Council of Eagle County will co-host the 6th annual Vail Valley Business Forum, “A Panel Discussion on Regional Economic Development Opportunities,” on July 26th.
The Forum brings in regional speakers from various business segments to serve on a panel discussion and delve into timely and current business-related topics. Panelists from throughout Colorado will have a lively discussion related to doing business in the Colorado and attendees will be able to discuss how lessons can be applied to the Vail Valley.
We’re happy to welcome Dr. Richard L. Wobbekind as our keynote speaker; Dr. Wobbekind is Executive Director of the Business Research Division and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs at the University of Colorado Boulder. He joined the faculty at the Leeds School of Business in 1985, and has served as Associate Dean since 2000.
As Executive Director of the Business Research Division his responsibilities include developing an annual consensus forecast of the Colorado economy and performing various economic impact assessments of the Colorado economy. Rich is currently the president of the National Association for Business Economics. He also participates annually in the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank Regional Economic Roundtable and is a contributor to the Western Blue Chip Economic Forecast newsletter.
He’ll share the economic forecast for the Colorado economy, including growth areas that the Vail Valley can benefit from in our economic development efforts.
Following the keynote, we’ll have our panel of regional experts offer their feedback and thoughts. This year’s panelists include:
Maria Garcia Berry, Chief Executive Officer of CRL Associates, Inc. Berry is a member of the Board of Trustees of Metropolitan State College, the Auraria Higher Education Center Board of Directors and the Citywide Banks Board. Her community involvement includes the boards of the Regional Transportation District, the American Israel Friendship League and the Colorado Children’s Campaign.
Robert Golden, CAE, RCE with Colorado Association of Realtors®. Golden is currently a part of 2012 Leadership Council (Chief Executive Officer), Colorado Association Executives, 2012 CAR Staff (Chief Executive Officer) and 2012 NAR Directors.
Richard W. Scharf, President & CEO of VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau. Scharf Jr. was named president & CEO of VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau, in March 2004. Scharf has worked for VISIT DENVER since 1993, most recently as the executive vice president of sales and marketing. From 1988-1993, he owned a publishing and consulting company representing more than 400 colleges and universities as conference sites.
We’re excited to bring in a diverse panel and to provide an opportunity for the Vail Valley business community to interact with these experts in tourism, real estate, economics/research, education and transportation (among other topics). The Vail Valley Business Forum is unique as the panel solicits questions directly from the audience, creating a true discussion with those in attendance.
There are no pre-set topics; the audience members in attendance will dictate the questions asked to the panel, ensuring maximum value and local application from the regional viewpoints and success stories of our surrounding communities along the Front Range and throughout the state.
As our tourism economy continues to show signs of growth and as other areas of our economy continue to sludge along slowly, the business forum exposes local business owners and managers to regional efforts and statewide programs so our community can leverage larger efforts. Small business owners, realtors, developers, non-profits and tourism industry professionals alike will find value in the Vail Valley Business Forum.
Tickets for the Vail Valley Business Forum are available for $30. RSVP to Jill Lammers at jlammers@visitvailvalley.com or (970) 477-4000. We look forward to seeing you there.
What can your business do to help? If you benefit from our educational programming and business development efforts, get off the sidelines and join the Partnership. If you are already a member, tell your neighbors to join to help us do more here in the valley.
As always, I encourage all member businesses to get engaged with the Partnership and to contact us with any suggestions you may have to help us better serve you and for non-members to join the Partnership. Call us at (970) 476-1000 or stop by our offices in Avon at Traer Creek Plaza to share your feedback.