This learning lab is aimed at RDO executive directors will cover a range of topics critical to leading a regional development organization through these challenging and ever-changing times.  Topics to be covered in this interactive learning lab include: understanding the national context for RDOs, executive director qualifications, organizational culture, board engagement and staff management; findings from state assessments, state association activities; national trends and innovations; forging new partnerships and strategic alliances; and potential pitfalls.  The session is designed for executive directors at any level of experience and expertise, from any size organization.  The session will be facilitated by Steve Etcher, Boonslick RPC Executive Director and NADO Treasurer.

Click here to view the presentation (PDF)

There is an additional $50 fee to attend which includes lunch.

Federal funding for infrastructure projects has been cut substantially in recent years, forcing many EDDs to rethink their role in regional economic development.  This session will focus on what EDDs must know about how the practice of economic development is changing, and, more importantly, what they must do to innovate and continue to add value in today's economic development environment.

Speakers:

• Brian Kelsey, Director of Economic Development, NADO (TX)
• Tom Stellman, President/CEO, TIP Strategies (TX)

Click here to view the presentation (PDF)

Additional fee of $25.

The CEDS is a planning framework that can stretch far beyond just economic development. EDDs can use the CEDS as a vehicle to address transportation, sustainability, workforce development, and many other planning areas. This session will focus on how EDDs can expand the scope of the CEDS while staying true to its original purpose, drawing on lessons learned from the Charlotte region and western Kentucky.

Speakers:

• Brian Kelsey, Director of Economic Development, NADO (TX)
• Chris Engle, Vice President and Chief Analyst, Avalanche Consulting (TX)

Click here to view the presentation (PDF)

Additional fee of $25.

Whether you are a brand new, first time executive director, or a seasoned-yet-not-ready-to-retire executive director, or somewhere in-between, this session will be of great interest.  Led by Steve Etcher, Boonslick RPC Executive Director and NADO Treasurer, four RDO executive directors will lead the group through a lively, participatory, discussion about things they wish they had known when they became executive directors.  Topics will include board orientation and engagement; finances (such as what an ED needs to know, and how to communicate this to the board and staff);partnerships and innovations;  managing risks and expectations; and how to keep and motivate exceptional staff.

Speakers will include the following RDO executive directors:

• Peter Gregory, Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (VT)
• Amanda Hoey, Mid-Columbia EDD (OR)
• Rick Hunsaker, Region XII (IA)
• Bob Thompson, Androscoggin Valley COG (ME)
• Facilitator: Steve Etcher, Boonslick RPC Executive Director and NADO Treasurer (MO)

There is an additional $25 fee to attend this session.

Specially crafted for board members of regional development organizations, this session will address the dynamics of strong and effective board leadership in an ever-changing world and ever-challenging world.

Facilitator:  Scott Koons, Executive Director, North Central Florida RPC

Click here to view the presentation (PDF)

Performance metrics are about more than tracking progress on your CEDS or reporting jobs and private investment on your annual GPRA form to EDA. Strong performance metrics are a call to action that can be the turning point in regional development efforts. Based on information from a soon-to-be-published report on Performance Metrics that the speakers from ViTAL Economy wrote for the NADO Research Foundation, this session will focus on developing useful and compelling performance metrics for your CEDS based on your region’s unique economy.

Speakers:

• Frank Knott, President, ViTAL Economy, Inc. (MD)
• Jim Haguewood, Senior Partner, ViTAL Economy, Inc. (WA)
• Facilitator: Brian Kelsey, Director of Economic Development, NADO (TX)

Click here to view the presentation (PDF)

Additional fee of $25.

Planning is a critical function of EDDs, but leading EDDs have expanded far beyond the role of a typical planning agency. Enterprising EDDs are innovators, problem solvers, and visionaries looking out at the global economy and forging paths toward sustainable development for their regions. This session will feature case studies of projects that are transforming small towns and rural communities across the country as potential models for EDDs to consider adopting in their own regions.

Speakers:

• Michael Lemanski, Director, Development Finance Initiative, University of NC School of Government (NC)
• Facilitator: Brian Kelsey, Director of Economic Development, NADO (TX)

View Michael Lemanski's presentation here.

Additional fee of $25.

Similar to the "I should have had a V-8!" commercial, this session will provide executive directors new and old with clever insights and tips into things they had never thought of that will help them better manage their daily schedule, staff, and organization. The session will offer exceptionally useful tips from a uniquely qualified panel of executive directors who are willing to share their thoughts and ideas and pearls of wisdom on a variety of topics, including ways to find and use data sources, tidbits of information that will help maximize your travel budget, thoughts on legal issues and contracts, approaches to staff management, sensible strategies for file and project organization, and even some technology candid thoughts about using technology at all ages.  Steve Etcher, Boonslick RPC Executive Director and NADO Treasurer, will lead this lively discussion among RDO executive directors.  Be sure to attend this session for some real world tips from your peers!

Speakers:

• Ken Jones, Executive Director, Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (TX)
• Betty Voights, Executive Director, Capital Area Council of Governments (TX)
• Lynne Keller Forbes, Executive Director, South Eastern Council of Governments (SD)
• Chris Fetzer, Executive Director, Northern Arizona Council of Governments
• Facilitator: Steve Etcher, Boonslick RPC Executive Director and NADO Treasurer (MO)

There is an additional $25 fee to attend this session.

A core function of regional development organizations is to support sustainable economic development and job growth. Regions of all types across the country are working to better coordinate bottom-up, grassroots-driven economic development strategies that link local land use decisions with transportation, housing, workforce, and community development plans and investments. Robert Grow, President and CEO of Envision Utah, will outline strategies to collaborate with community stakeholders to develop long-term regional visions for quality growth, based on shared community values and an open dialogue.

• Welcome: Russ Cowley, Six County Association of Governments (UT) and NADO President
• Keynote speaker: Robert Grow, President and CEO, Envision Utah
• Facilitator: Kevin Byrd, Executive Director, New River Valley Planning District Commission (VA)

Click here to view part 1 of the presentation (PDF)

Click here to view part 2 of the presentation (PDF)

Since 2008, the Ford Foundation has been testing a systems approach to economic development that connects people and assets in rural places to market demand in ways that build multiple forms of wealth for those communities and regions. What value might this approach hold for local and regional economic development organizations? Over the past year, NADO members in Ford’s targeted regions (Central Appalachia, the Deep South, and the Lower Rio Grande Valley region in Texas) have been exploring this question. In this session, you’ll learn more about the approach and hear how your colleagues have applied lessons from this work to the business retention and expansion survey process, collaborative planning, articulating the role for intermediary organizations, and building a sector-based value chain. Each presenter brings unique experience and understanding of the value of this wealth creation approach to the work of economic development organizations. The session will connect these diverse experiences and offer lessons learned for others.

Speakers:

• Misty Casto, Executive Director, Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley RDD (OH)
• Sulynn Creswell, Director, Blackbelt Treasures (AL)
• Armando Garza, Mayor Pro Tem, City of San Juan (TX)
• Amanda Hernandez, GIS Specialist/Transportation Planner, Hidalgo County MPO (TX)
• Ben Medina, Planning Director, City of Brownsville (TX)
• Kent Spellman, Executive Director, West Virginia Community Development HUB
• Facilitator: Deb Markley, Managing Director/Director of Research, RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship (NC)

Click here to view the presentation (PDF)

The shifting realities of today's political and economic environment often places regional organizations into a reactive mode.  Leaders of these organizations must find methods for ensuring  these reactive realities don't end up defining their future.  This workshop will provide attendees with practical, innovative strategies that utilize a new model for engagement of employees, contractors and client agencies.  The model provides leaders of effective organizations with essential elements to increase employee stability, satisfaction and effectiveness.  Case studies will be presented to illustrate how the implementation of this model will reduce uncertainty and reactive forces as they attempt to impact your organization.

The speakers for this session will be:

• G.L. Reed, D., Min., Owner and Founder, Where Expectations Meet Reality (TX)
• Jim Reed, AICP. Executive Director,  Central Texas Council of Governments (TX)

Click here for the session presentation.

Watch for more information on using engagement to develop a Complete Workplace.

Over the years, the roles of regional development organizations (RDOs) have changed immensely.  Todays RDOs are multi-faceted entities that manage multiple programs and services that have wide-ranging impacts on local communities across their regions.  Yet, the critical roles that RDOs play in getting needed funds for major infrastructure projects, recruiting businesses to the region, helping small businesses start-up or stay open in tough times, managing vital human services programs, coordinating with local agencies on disaster revocery, and so much more often goes unnoticed.  This session will cover various ways that RDOs are capturing the return on investments and sharing that important information with their many audiences.

Speakers:

• Randy Kelley, Executive Director, Three Rivers PDD (MS)
• DeWitt Blackwell, Executive Director, Western Piedmont Council of Governments (NC)
• Jeff Kiely, Executive Director, Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments

Click here to view the presentation (PDF)

Just a mere 15 miles outside of Las Vegas lies an amazing, unconventional, highly productive, and financially successful enterprise:  the Zappos Headquarters.   Known to most as the model for on-line shoe sales, the Zappos management team has created an environment that combines quirky fun with high levels of productivity, landing Zappos on Forbes 2012 Top 100 Companies to Work for in 2012.

A Zapponian will lead the group through corporate headquarters to learn about the Zappos Family approach to customer loyalty, human resources, recruiting, training, and culture creation.  During this 60 minute tour, you will get to experience the inner workings of the Zappos Family of companies, learn the history of Zappos.com and find out how $1 billion dollars in gross merchandise sales was achieved in less than 10 years. You will also experience how a values based organization uses strong culture to live out every day. 

Because the Zappos Experience is so interesting and unique, two tours will be offered; each one has a limit of 28 participants.  A first-come, first-serve waiting list will be established.  Tour dates and times are Monday, October 15 (2:15 - 4:30 pm), and Tuesday, October 16 (10:15 am - 12:30 pm).  Additional fee: $25  THE MONDAY TOUR IS FULL.  THERE ARE STILL A FEW SPOTS LEFT ON THE TUESDAY TOUR.

What do a brain health center, a mob museum, and an IRS regional headquarters building have in common?  Along with a new symphony park area, a cultural corridor, a re-vamped Fremont Street, a civic corridor, a new city hall and the future site of Zappos headquarters, they are part of a massive effort to revitalize Las Vegas. 

This tour will showcase efforts underway throughout the downtown to bring new life to the city.  Attendees will learn about the strategic efforts to enhance the non-gaming side of the city with museums for all ages, world class Broadway shows, corporate headquarters, housing for all income levels, and public transportation.  A representative from the city will be on hand to talk about the projects underway, including financing, partnerships, planning processes, progress-to-date and anticipated impacts to the community as well as the region's economy.

From the Symphony Park to the Plaza to the Cultural Corridor to the Fremont Street Entertainment District to the Civic Corridor, attendees will see firsthand how the city and community are revitalizing Las Vegas.

The guided tour will cost an additional $25 and is limited to 55 attendees.

As public funding sources become scarcer, RDOs are looking to community foundations as partners to deliver projects in local communities.  Learn about community foundation-supported work in two regions, as well as practical lessons for making such partnerships work.

Speakers will include:

• Elena Quintanilla, South Plains Association of Governments (TX)
• Dawn Hegland, Upper Minnesota Valley RDC (MN)
• Moderator: Doug Elliott, East Central Iowa COG

Click here to view Elana Quintanilla's presentation (PDF)

Click here to view Dawn Hegland's presentation (PDF)

This session will offer advice and lessons learned on how regional development organizations prepare for and respond to natural disasters.

Speakers:

• Tom Kennedy, Southern Windsor County RPC (VT)
• Doug Hermes, Statewide Planning Coordinator, Missouri Association of Councils of Governments
• Moderator: Renee Dycus, Executive Director, Southwest Arkansas PDD

Click here to view Tom Kennedy's presentation (PDF)

Click here to view Doug Hermes's presentation (PDF)

The current federal fund accountability atmosphere is highly charged and driven by adverse results of audits conducted by independent auditors under Office of Management and Budget Circular A-133 and by federal inspectors general. To avoid the financial and reputational damage that those kinds of audit findings can cause, development organizations need to be ready with a solid compliance program that relies on effective policies and procedures and awareness of key compliance vulnerabilities. This session will highlight the proactive steps that you can take to prepare for the kind of aggressive oversight that is the “new normal.”   Topics to be covered include:

• Elements of an effective compliance program
• Design and operation of internal controls over federal programs
• Current federal fund compliance vulnerabilities and responses
  • Time and effort reporting
  • Travel and meeting expense
  • Documentation of purchase transactions
  • Management of equipment and supplies

Speaker:

• Bob Lloyd, Principal, Robert M. Lloyd Consulting Services, and Partner, Federal Fund Management Advisor (SC)
• Moderator: Carol Jackson, Executive Director, Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council (WV)

Click here to view the presentation (PDF)

In many states, regional development organizations have realized the various benefits to collaborating in a formal, state-wide manner: a stronger voice for RDOs and rural regions at the state and federal level will result in greater support from agencies at all levels of the government.  The range of structure, process, purpose and accomplishments among these state-wide initiatives is broad.  Some states have formal, fully staffed state-wide associations with dues paying members.  Others have more loosely organized structures, but still yield strong results.  All have different funding streams and program objectives.

This session will offer newly formed state-wide associations of RDOs as well as RDOs from states interested in learning how to become a strong association with noteworthy examples from three different models from Florida, Missouri and Texas.

Speakers:

• Sheri Coven, Director of Intergovernmental Relations, Florida Regional Councils Association
• Doug Hermes, Statewide Planning Coordinator, Missouri Association of Councils of Governments
• Nichole Warren, Executive Director, Iowa Association of Regional Councils
• Moderator: Penny Redington, Executive Director, Texas Association of Regional Councils

Click here to view Sheri Coven's presentation (PDF)

Click here to view Doug Hermes's presentation (PDF)

Click here to view Nichole Warren's presentation (PDF)

Across the nation, RDOs and other economic development organizations are providing assistance to small businesses in many forms: loans, training and technical assistance is offered in a variety of platforms.  The end result is small businesses that thrive and survive, create and retain jobs, actively participate in the local economy, and much more.  This session will provide attendees with information about successful approaches to helping small businesses survive from North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

Speakers:

• Jill Foys, Executive Director, Northwest Commission (PA): Click here to view the presentation (PDF)
• Sean Esten, Financial Portfolio Manager, Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation
• Erica Anderson, Senior Regional Planner, Land-of-Sky Regional Council (NC): Click here to view the presentation (PDF)
• Moderator: Lisa Dawson, Executive Director, Northeast Oregon Economic Development District

The government-wide circulars and regulations issued by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and covering the administration and audit of federal grants are key management tools for development organizations.  But their complexity and detail have often represented a knowledge management challenge for executive, financial, and program staff.  Now, in the name of simplification, OMB has ambitiously proposed to reform them.  They gathered ideas for changes in a public process earlier this year. Their next step will be to propose actual text revisions and to provide another chance for comment by interested parties. The upcoming process is a real opportunity for NADO members to have input into the policies that are likely to govern their federal fund management for years to come. This session will explain the current requirements that arise from the circulars and from laws like the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency and will identify the access points concerning possible changes to such key policies as indirect cost recovery and sub-recipient monitoring.

Speaker:

• Bob Lloyd, Principal, Robert M. Lloyd Consulting Services, and Partner, Federal Fund Management Advisor (SC)
• Moderator: Carol Jackson, Executive Director, Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council (WV)

Click here to view the presentation (PDF)

Regional development organizations often have broad missions of serving local governments and communities, who are increasingly looking to their regional partners to assist with funding shortfalls.  But regional organizations themselves have declining public funding sources and increasingly overcommitted staff regardless of staff size.  Hear how four organizations are having an impact on their communities in spite of these barriers by establishing effective partnerships, taking on new activities, and positioning their organizations to respond to local issues and opportunities.

Panelists will include:

• Rick Bishop, Western Riverside Council of Governments (CA)
• Laura Lewis Marchino, Region 9 Economic Development District of SW Colorado, Inc.
• Pamela Marshall, Memphis Area Association of Governments (TN)
• Ron Radil, Western Nevada Development District
• Moderator: Patricia Hartung, Executive Director, Upper Savannah Council of Governments (SC)

Located on the western rim of Las Vegas, the Summerlin master-planned community sits on 22,000 acres and represents a seminal experiment in building a new city from the ground up. Currently home to over 100,000 residents, the community was planned to accommodate over 200,000 residents in 80,000 homes in a range of sizes and styles, and also contains 26 public and private schools, numerous houses of worship, 150 parks, over 150 miles of trails, business centers, shopping centers and medical facilities in a systems of interconnected villages.

Summerlin set the standard for the master-planned community model in the 1990s and early 2000s. This mobile workshop will offer insights into the planning, design, financing, and construction of this new community. Participants will tour the community and also learn about how the economic recession has impacted Summerlin's sustainability outlook.

There is an additional fee of $25; the tour is limited to 25 participants.

Housing is the single largest budget item for most American households, with transportation costs a close second; the idea of affordable housing takes on a whole new perspective when the costs are combined.  Too often families “drive ‘til they qualify” for affordable housing without recognizing what impact related transportation costs will have on their budgets.  Without understanding the impact, some moderate and low-income households may end up with transportation costs that exceed their housing costs.

This session will focus on community development decisions using combined housing and transportation cost measures and discuss innovative ways to ensure planning and investment decisions create affordable, sustainable communities.  We will examine tools that help illustrate how land use decisions impact household budgets and community economic vitality, and show how regional development organizations can use these tools for community planning, development, and investment decisions.

Speakers:

• Noreen Beatley, Manhattan Strategy Group (MD)
• Sarah Campbell, Center for Neighborhood Technology (IL)
• Moderator: Patricia Steed, Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Having a skilled workforce is critical for planning and accommodating future population increases, economic development, and job growth. Learn how regions are working with their states and local businesses to identify skill shortages and design training programs that create jobs. Hear innovative ideas and solutions on how to strengthen your regional workforce

Panelists include:

• Lisa Hawk, Workforce Business Services Coordinator, Piedmont Triad Regional Council (NC)
• Yolanda Boone, State of Mississippi Department of Employment Security
• Moderator: Ron Mitchum, Executive Director, Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester COG (SC)

Click here to view Lisa Hawk's presentation (PDF)

Click here to view Yolanda Boone's presentation (PDF)

Just a mere 15 miles outside of Las Vegas lies an amazing, unconventional, highly productive, and financially successful enterprise:  the Zappos Headquarters.   Known to most as the model for on-line shoe sales, the Zappos management team has created an environment that combines quirky fun with high levels of productivity, landing Zappos on Forbes 2012 Top 100 Companies to Work for in 2012.

A Zapponian will lead the group through corporate headquarters to learn about the Zappos Family approach to customer loyalty, human resources, recruiting, training, and culture creation.  During this 60 minute tour, you will get to experience the inner workings of the Zappos Family of companies, learn the history of Zappos.com and find out how $1 billion dollars in gross merchandise sales was achieved in less than 10 years. You will also experience how a values based organization uses strong culture to live out every day. 

Because the Zappos Experience is so interesting and unique, two tours will be offered; each one has a limit of 28 participants.  A first-come, first-serve waiting list will be established.  Tour dates and times are Monday, October 15 (2:15 - 4:30 pm), and Tuesday, October 16 (10:15 am - 12:30 pm).  Additional fee: $25   THE MONDAY TOUR IS FULL.  THERE ARE STILL A FEW SPOTS ON THE TUESDAY TOUR.

Do stakeholders, citizens, and local media get confused about who your organization is and what it does? Does your organization operate multiple programs and projects under different names and "brands"? Are you seeking to reposition your organization and better explain to current and future partners the value your organization brings to the region? If so, this session is for you. Hear about the experiences of your peers in undertaking re-branding efforts and learn about effective public communications strategies. Bring your questions and problems and gain expert advice in an interactive clinic designed to help you think outside the box about your branding techniques.

Speakers:

• Wayne Strickland, Roanoke-Valley Alleghany Regional Commission (VA)
• Erica Allison, Allison Development Group (NC)
• Moderator/Speaker: Nicole Griensewic, Region Nine Development Commission (MN)

Click here to view Wayne Strickland's presentation (PDF)

Click here to view Erica Allison's presentation (PDF)

Click here to view Nicole Griensewic's presentation (PDF) 

Ample water supply and adequate infrastructure are key issues for planning for and accommodating future population growth and economic development.  Learn how two regions are working with their local communities to identify water issues and assist with finding solutions.  Development pressure, chronic water shortage, severe drought conditions, and interlinked municipal supplies are all issues that will be under discussion during this session, as well as identifying the role for regional development organizations in this local, and sometimes contentious, issue.

Panelists will include:

• Tye Parsons, Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments
• Ken Sizemore, Five County Association of Governments (UT)
• Moderator: Jim Dove, Northeast Georgia Regional Commission

Click here to view Tye Parsons's presentation (PDF)

Click here to view Ken Sizemore's presentation (PDF)

Join NADO's expert legislative team for an overview of the current political landscape.  Hear the latest developments concerning funding for programs critical to your regions.  Take advantage of the opportunity to ask critical questions and get responses that will help you better manage programs across your region.

• Deborah Cox, Director of Government Relations and Legislative Affairs, NADO (DC)
• Kathy Ruffalo, President, Ruffalo and Associates (DC)
• Moderator: Russ Cowley, President, NADO, and Executive Director, Six County AOG (UT)

Click here to view the presentation (PDF)