Consultant Connect

Our PM Site Consultant Office Hours is SOLD OUT, but there are a few spots left for the AM session—don't miss your chance! Imagine sitting down face-to-face with 24+ site consultants to ask your burning questions, pitch your community, and build lasting connections. It's a rare opportunity included with your registration to get direct insights and expand your network like never before. Here's a quick rundown: 🗓 November 19-21, 2024 📍 Salt Lake City, Utah 👥 24+ site consultants and ~275 economic developers Secure your spot NOW and make sure you're part of the conversation! Don’t wait until it's too late. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/g-NKGQNd #ECONOMIX2024 #EconomicDevelopment #LastChance #econdev

⏳ The countdown to ECONOMIX 2024 is on, and we want YOU to be part of it! 📅 When: November 19-21 📍 Where: Salt Lake City, Utah 👥 Who: 24+ Site Consultants, ~275 Economic Developers Only a few seats remain for Site Consultant Office Hours—your chance to have face-to-face meetings with top site consultants and showcase your community’s potential. Ready to expand your network and gain exclusive industry insights? Don’t miss out—register today! https://lnkd.in/g-NKGQNd #economicdevelopment #econdev #siteconsulting #event

Last week in Franklin, TN was truly unforgettable! Nine site consultants and nine economic developers gathered at Southall Farm & Inn for two days of meaningful connections, engaging conversations, and unique experiences like an apiary tour and falconry lesson. A huge thank you to Williamson, Inc. for sponsoring and showcasing your incredible community. We can't wait to return! Destination Summits offer the perfect opportunity to build lasting relationships with top site consultants through curated, memorable experiences. Only a few spots remain for the 2025 Summit Series, with Destination Summits in Washington DC (April 3-4), Roanoke, VA (June 5-6), Milwaukee, WI (June 26-27), and Asheville, NC (October 9-10). Seats are selling fast, and two Summits are already sold out! Register now: https://lnkd.in/gHm7SSiY #economicdevelopment #econdev #summit

Registration for the 2025 Summit Series is NOW OPEN! We’re bringing back some of your all-time favorite destinations and adding a few exciting new stops to the lineup! 🌟 Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the Summit Series, this is your chance to experience the best in economic development and site selection. But don’t wait—Greenville, SC and Chicago, IL are already SOLD OUT, and other locations are filling up fast! ⏳ Secure your seat before it’s too late. Don’t miss your opportunity to be at the table where the industry’s trailblazers connect, learn, and grow. Act now to secure your spot! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gHm7SSiY #economicdevelopment #econdev #SummitSeries2025

🚨 Mark your calendars! Set your alarms! Check your inbox! 🚨 Consultant Connect’s 2025 Summit Series Calendar launches tomorrow, and we want YOU to join us on the road! Next year will bring fresh connections, insightful discussions, and unforgettable adventures. Get ready to explore brand-new destinations and revisit some fan-favorite spots as you travel across North America, meeting one-on-one with top site consultants. It all kicks off tomorrow, so make sure you're prepared! We can't wait to hit the road with you in 2025! If you haven't signed up for our emails yet, click here to join the list: https://lnkd.in/gQ3VxF5W #economicdevelopment #econdev #summit

We're thrilled to announce an expanded roster of site consultants joining us at ECONOMIX 2024, held this year in Salt Lake City, Utah from November 19th to 21st! Meet the consultants here: https://lnkd.in/gYwRrFnB As you know, ECONOMIX is designed by economic developers, for economic developers. This year's event is shaping up to be our biggest and best yet, and a key reason for that is the unmatched opportunity to connect directly with top site selection consultants. Whether you're looking to showcase what makes your community unique or simply want to build relationships with consultants who can be valuable assets in the future, ECONOMIX 2024 is the place to be. Here are just a few of the benefits of attending ECONOMIX 2024: ✅ Connect with a diverse range of experienced site consultants ✅ Learn about the latest trends and best practices in site selection ✅ Participate in small group activities and networking events ✅ Discover new resources and solutions to help your community thrive Don't miss this chance to take your economic development efforts to the next level! Register for ECONOMIX 2024 today at https://lnkd.in/g-NKGQNd Space is limited, so don't delay - only 30 seats left! #economix #economicdevelopment #siteselection #conference

There's nothing like celebrating major wins in economic development—and the people driving these projects are even more inspiring. Meet Julie Carrier, Director of Regional Foreign Direct Investment for the Quebec City and Eastern Quebec regions at Invest Quebec | Investissement Québec International. As one of North America's Top 50 Economic Developers of 2024, Julie's achievements speak for themselves. Get to know more about her below! How has economic development changed since you entered the field? Prosperity and success are no longer measured solely by job creation and land development; it's about sustainable, robust, resilient, and inclusive growth. Economic development organizations (EDOs) are becoming more strategic in attracting specific business and industry sectors, more proactive and creative in business retention and expansion efforts, and increasingly innovative in talent attraction and export development initiatives. What shifts do you feel will happen in the profession over the next five years? Professionals will need expertise in ESG principles, energy transitions, and climate change, as well as staying ahead of developments in AI, automation, and telework. Workforce training and knowledge of logistics chains, along with the ability to identify strategic needs in local industry value chains, will be key to building resilient and sustainable growth. What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? I was hooked in the first few weeks of a three-month internship as part of my master’s degree in international relations. From that moment, I knew economic development was my path. I took concrete steps to accumulate knowledge, experience, and networks by working for various communities and organizations in different roles. I had the guidance of great mentors who opened doors for me and encouraged me to be bold. This field blends my passions for business development, international affairs, public policy, and public service. I love learning something new every day—whether it's how something is made, discovering a new sector, or working with a variety of stakeholders locally and internationally. The ever-evolving environment keeps me agile and creative. What’s kept me here? The diversity of the work, the relationships I’ve built, and the real impact we have on communities. What is your economic development superpower? I'm a super-connector and collaborator. I can't help but refer or introduce people when I see how they can support each other's goals. Everyone has a superpower to share, and together, we go further. It may not always be the fastest journey, but it’s always the most fun! Did you know we are accepting nominations for 2025’s North America’s Top 50 Economic Developer Awards? Nominate your colleague, boss, or yourself here: https://lnkd.in/gJyVPezs #NATop50 #EconomicDevelopment #Award

🌟 Get Ready for ECONOMIX 2024 in Salt Lake City! 🌟 This year, we’re taking you to the heart of Salt Lake City—a place where innovation meets the rugged beauty of the mountains. It’s the perfect setting for economic developers to come together, trailblaze new paths, and drive future growth. Here's what you can expect: 🔹 Dynamic Breakout Sessions: Delve into key topics like megatrends, NIMBYism, FDI, and more, all while exploring unique locations across the city. 🔹 Mainstage at The Depot: Join us at this historic landmark on November 21st for insightful panels, inspiring keynotes, and unparalleled networking opportunities. 🔹 Dinner Parties & Afterglow: Cap off the conference by sharing great food and meaningful conversations with site consultants and fellow economic developers. Salt Lake City isn’t just our venue—it’s a thriving example of economic dynamism. Don't miss the chance to experience it firsthand! Seats are filling up fast—secure your spot now! https://lnkd.in/g-NKGQNd We can’t wait to see you there! #ECONOMIX2024 #EconomicDevelopment #SaltLakeCity #Trailblazing

We are excited to highlight Jose Romano, Executive Vice President of Business Development at the Greater Richmond Partnership, as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers for 2024! Jose is a dynamic economic developer who has helped the Greater Richmond region thrive with economic potential. Read on to learn more about Jose. How has economic development changed since you entered the field? The most significant impact on the industry has undoubtedly been the advancement of technology. The overall timeline, from lead prospecting to project announcement, was once extremely time-consuming. In today's world, we have the ability to utilize multiple platforms and resources to expedite the project management process. What shifts do you feel will happen in the profession over the next five years? Automation will continue to revolutionize efficiency. Learning to continuously improve workflows and further build upon best practices will enhance productivity. The ongoing advancement in human capabilities will only propel the profession forward. What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why? Historically, I worked at the state level, ensuring we represented all our local partners equally. I currently serve a regional group, which may present similar challenges. However, the localities we serve foster regionalism and strongly support our mission. It's a unique opportunity to demonstrate a true sense of partnership. What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here? Like many other practitioners, I stumbled into the industry by chance. I was an international affairs major about to graduate from college and needed an internship. The state's lead organization housed an international program, and from there, I realized the incredible global impact of economic development. The ability to connect with people from so many different walks of life never ceases to amaze me. I look forward to making new lifelong connections every day. Did you know you can nominate someone for the 2025 North America’s Top 50 Economic Developer Award? Visit the link to nominate your coworker, your boss, or yourself: https://lnkd.in/dpMqSunD #economicdevelopment #award #NATop50

Calling all Economic Development Leaders! 📣 We’re excited to share that the Consultant Connect NEXT program was a huge success last week in Dallas, Texas (August 28th & 29th). This leadership development program brought together a talented group of up-and-coming professionals in the economic development field for two jam-packed days of learning and collaboration.   What was NEXT all about? NEXT is designed to equip the next generation of economic development leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today's dynamic environment. Participants delved into critical topics like: ⭕ Innovation in Economic Development: Exploring cutting-edge strategies and approaches to drive growth in your community. ⭕ Building Stakeholder Relationships: Learning how to foster strong relationships with businesses, residents, and other key players. ⭕ Community Mobilization: Discovering effective tactics for engaging your community in economic development initiatives. The program featured a dynamic mix of presentations, group discussions, and experiential exercises, providing a well-rounded learning experience for participants. A huge thanks to Matthew McQuade, Justin T. Bickle, and Irene Alvarez for their leadership insights and program facilitation. We couldn’t have done it without you!   Interested in more programs like NEXT? You’re in luck! We are rebooting our leadership development and innovation program for next year with an even broader audience in mind. Interested in learning more? Sign up to join our mailing list here: https://lnkd.in/g47AK_dR In the meantime, connect with Consultant Connect on LinkedIn to learn more about our leadership development offerings and site consultant events for economic development professionals.   #ConsultantConnect #NEXT #EconomicDevelopment #LeadershipDevelopment