Overview
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) will be hosting an Executive Directors Leadership Forum at the downtown Park City Marriott in Park City, Utah on June 8 - 9, 2012. We are pleased to partner with the EDA Denver regional office on EDD peer reviews on Thursday, June 7 and RLF and CEDS workshops on June 8. NADO’s executive directors training forum will start at 11 am on Friday, June 8 and run until noon on Saturday, June 9.
The primary purpose of the NADO event is to provide a separate, more independent forum for executive directors to talk freely, discuss industry trends, and work on common issues. Our current themes are:
o Building stronger external partnerships – lessons learned from NADO’s statewide assessments and case studies (including emerging trends with statewide CEDS initiatives with Governors/state agencies and RDOs)
o Back to the basics in policy board development and engagement – the success and foundation of any successful regional development organization starts with an educated, engaged and supportive policy board. However, with mounting turnover at the local level, it is important that we focus on rebuilding our partnerships and relationships with our local government officials and partners
o Managing in times of uncertainty – budget cuts at all levels of government, employee stress, indirect cost rate wars, employee wellness, technology, retaining talented staff, fee-for-service opportunities, and maintaining sound relationships with funders, board members and local communities. These are all important management issues facing executive directors. We’ll feature presentations on these hot topics and trends, as well as leave plenty of time for peer discussions and problem solving
Registration
Registration for the Executive Directors Leadership Forum will begin on April 9, 2012
Registration for this event started on April 09, 2012 and is currently Closed.
Fee Schedule:
- Early Bird Registration Rate (before May 18 ): $150
- Regular Registration Rate (after May 18 ): $175
Agenda & Presentations
Thursday, June 07th
Friday, June 08th
- Welcome: Russell Cowley, NADO President and Executive Director, Six County Association of Governments (UT)
- Welcome: Roger Jones, Chair, Utah Association of Governments and Executive Director, Bear River Association of Governments
- Presentation: Matthew Chase, NADO Executive Director
- About the Host Region: Andrew Jackson, Executive Director, Mountainland Association of Governments (UT)
- Each participant will have up to 3 minutes to highlight their organization's noteworthy programs and initiatives
- Steve Etcher, NADO Treasurer and Executive Director, Boonslick RPC (MO) will present on findings from NADO’s statewide assessment process, as well as experiences of the Missouri Association of Councils of Governments
- Click here to view the presentation
- James Youngquist, University of Arkansas-Little Rock has conducted dozens of statewide and individual regional organization assessments as part of the SouthEast Regional Directors Institute (SERDI) and his work with NADO and others nationally
- Andrew Gruber, Executive Director of the Wasatch Front Regional Council (UT) will discuss his organization’s focus on public-private collaboration, as well as Wasatch Choice for 2040
- Christine Frei, Executive Director of the Clearwater Economic Development Association (ID) will present on a new regional manufacturers network, partnerships with local universities on National Science Foundation projects, and building effective partnerships with the private and educational sectors
- Rick Hunsaker, Executive Director of the Region XII Council of Governments (IA) will highlight various regional partnerships including an innovative housing finance program, housing inspection assistance, and collaboration with local EDCs
Saturday, June 09th
Each presenter will give a 7-10 minute “TED” style talk about innovative ideas and practices for the future. This group includes new executive directors, seasoned professionals with experience in multiple states, and a former executive director.
- Sandy Chancey, Executive Director, Eastern Plains Council of Governments(NM)
- Jim Haguewood, Senior Partner, One Group Consulting
- Jeff Kiely, Executive Director, Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments
- Lenny Stoltz, Executive Director, Bluegrass Area Development District (KY)
- Brian Tapp, Executive Director, Central Arizona Association of Governments
With jobs being the number one priority of many Governors, there is a dramatic rise in the number of regional development organizations working with state and local partners to craft new statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS). Learn more about this trend and opportunities for your state and organization.
- Scott Koons, Executive Director, North Central Florida RPC
- Joe McKinney, Executive Director, Land-of-Sky Regional Council (NC)
- Cheryl Taylor, Executive Director, Oklahoma Association of Regional Councils
- Jeff Pruitt, Planning Director, Top of Alabama Regional Council
- Moderator: Brian Kelsey, Director of Economic Development, NADO
Matthew Chase, Executive Director of NADO, shared lessons learned from statewide assessments.
View the Presentation~ Please note this schedule is subject to change ~
Travel & Venue

Park City Marriott
1895 Sidewinder Drive
Park City, Utah 84060
800-234-9003
Room Rate: $119 single/double
Nestled in the heart of Utah ski country among the majestic Wasatch Mountains, the Marriott Park City is a prime destination. We offer 191 deluxe guest rooms and eight suites, designed for rest and relaxation as well as productivity. With venues to suit 10 to 800, the exquisite meeting and banquet facilities at this Park City, Utah hotel provide the ideal backdrop for your next corporate event or celebration. Feast on regional comfort food at our onsite restaurant or relax in our atrium-style swimming room and hot tub. Take the complimentary town shuttle to Utah Olympic Park, Factory Stores at Park City, or Old Town Main Street.
~ Some or all of this information was provided by the hotel/venue ~
SALT CITY INTERNATIONAL Airport (SLC): Salt Lake City International Airport
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
- FROM SLC AIRPORT TO HOTEL
- From I-80 East to Kimball Junction/Park City exit (Exit #145 Hwy 224). Take Hwy 24to Kearns Blvd (approximately 6 miles). Turn left on Kearns Blvd. Take Kearns Blvd to Sidewinder Dr and turn right. Hotel is located on the right side of the street.
TRANSPORTATION FROM AIRPORT TO HOTEL
- Park City Transportation: $37 USD (one way) - Reservation required
- Estimated taxi fare: $90.00 USD (one way)