National experts and state leaders to address Panhandle business issues and opportunities
Walton Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Dawn Moliterno announced plans to bring a range of state and national economic development and tourism experts to the region for a three-day regional leadership conference.
Speakers and panelists will offer actionable advice on how to stimulate economic activity in the Northwest Florida market.
The keynote speaker is John Foley, performance expert, former lead solo, U.S. Navy?s Blue Angels.
The conference, ?Stimulating the Economy with Transportation, NW Florida?s Gulf Coast ?Cleared for Take-Off,? is scheduled for Oct. 15 - 17 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
?With the development of ?The Beach? as a regional brand and broad-based effort to secure better, more competitively-priced air service for the region, we?ve seen a renewed focus on regional economic development and tourism industry issues,? said Walton Area Chamber Chair Lori Kelley.
?To respond to the growing regional interest, we?ve recruited several national and state thought leaders to provide expertise, advice and inspiration to our members and guests,? she said.
?We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity in Northwest Florida to create a strong foundation to attract high-quality, high-wage jobs to our region,? said Rep. Ray Sansom, Speaker Designate of the Florida House of Representatives. ?Given the region?s rapidly improving infrastructure and the commitment of the Northwest Florida business community, our goal is to develop a strategy to a vibrant, diversifi ed, growing economy that benefits us all. This conference is an important step in setting that strategy.?
?The new Panama City airport gives our region an extraordinary competitive advantage when trying to attract new businesses and high-quality jobs,? said state Sen. Don Gaetz. ?This is the fi rst international airport built in this country in 15 years. We have to work together to maximize the opportunity this represents.?
?We want this to be a real ?hands-on,? interactive event where regional business leaders can exchange ideas and hear from experts who?ve used transportation infrastructure to stimulate tourism and regional economies elsewhere,? said Walton Area Chamber Chair-Elect John Forrester. ?We want to provide the business community and guests a forum for them to learn specifi cally how Northwest Florida?s improving transportation infrastructure can improve their bottom line.?
THE CONFERENCE TENTATIVELY INCLUDES PRESENTATIONS FROM:
? Dr. John Kasarda, professor of management and director of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina?s Kenan-Flagler Business School, an internationally recognized expert on using airports to drive regional economic development.
? Rick Schneider, vice president, Global Business Development, Travelocity Partner Network, an expert on using Online Travel Agencies to drive tourism revenues.
? Michael Pusateri, president and CEO, Vantage Strategy; a senior research scholar at George Washington University; and formerly senior vice president of strategy and COO of the Travel Industry Association of America.
? Professor Darryl Jenkins, author of the ?Handbook of Airline Economics,? and an authority on aviation in Washington, D.C. Jenkins has experience working with local communities to win lowcost air service. He is a regular commentator in the national press.
? Dr. Mark Bonn, associate editor for ?The Journal of Travel Research,? and full professor in the College of Business, Dedman School of Hospitality, at Florida State University and a member of the graduate faculty, Department of Marketing. Dr. Bonn specializes in marketing, research and educational programs for the hospitality, travel and tourism industry.
? Richard B. Jennings, president, Realty Capital International LLC, a global real estate investment banking advisory firm in New York City. Mr. Jennings received his MBA from Harvard Business School and holds a B.A. in Economics from Yale University where he graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.
THERE WILL ALSO BE PRESENTATIONS FROM:
? Rep. Ray Sansom, speaker designate of the Florida House of Representatives.
? Florida Sen. Don Gaetz, chairman of the committee on Education (K-12).
? Florida Sen. Durell Peaden, M.D., chairman of health and human services appropriations.
? Allan G. Bense, Former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and vice chairman of Enterprise Florida.
? Bart Pullum, commissioner on the Florida Transportation Commission.
? Jay Odom, Vice Chairman of the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority.
? Al Wenstrand, president, Florida?s Great Northwest.
? Maj. Gen. David W. Eidsaune, commander, Air Armament Center, and the Air Force program executive offi cer for weapons, Air Force Material Command, Eglin Air Force Base.
? All three NW Florida Airport Authority directors.
? Jerry Ray, senior vice president, strategic alliances.
? Buddy Runnels and Mel Ponder, Coastal Vision 3000, THE Beach.
The event is being held in partnership with Florida?s Great Northwest, Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber, Coastal Vision 3000/THE Beach, The Building Industry Association of Okaloosa and Walton counties, Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, The Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects, Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, The Walton Sun, The Destin Log, The Northwest Florida Daily News, and the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce
It includes opportunities to network with state and regional leaders, a golf tournament at the Raven Golf Club with state legislators and the Chamber?s annual dinner.
To reserve a space contact the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce at (850) 267-0683.
You can also register at www.waltonareachamber.com for conference news updates.
Walton Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Dawn Moliterno announced plans to bring a range of state and national economic development and tourism experts to the region for a three-day regional leadership conference.
Speakers and panelists will offer actionable advice on how to stimulate economic activity in the Northwest Florida market.
The keynote speaker is John Foley, performance expert, former lead solo, U.S. Navy?s Blue Angels.
The conference, ?Stimulating the Economy with Transportation, NW Florida?s Gulf Coast ?Cleared for Take-Off,? is scheduled for Oct. 15 - 17 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
?With the development of ?The Beach? as a regional brand and broad-based effort to secure better, more competitively-priced air service for the region, we?ve seen a renewed focus on regional economic development and tourism industry issues,? said Walton Area Chamber Chair Lori Kelley.
?To respond to the growing regional interest, we?ve recruited several national and state thought leaders to provide expertise, advice and inspiration to our members and guests,? she said.
?We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity in Northwest Florida to create a strong foundation to attract high-quality, high-wage jobs to our region,? said Rep. Ray Sansom, Speaker Designate of the Florida House of Representatives. ?Given the region?s rapidly improving infrastructure and the commitment of the Northwest Florida business community, our goal is to develop a strategy to a vibrant, diversifi ed, growing economy that benefits us all. This conference is an important step in setting that strategy.?
?The new Panama City airport gives our region an extraordinary competitive advantage when trying to attract new businesses and high-quality jobs,? said state Sen. Don Gaetz. ?This is the fi rst international airport built in this country in 15 years. We have to work together to maximize the opportunity this represents.?
?We want this to be a real ?hands-on,? interactive event where regional business leaders can exchange ideas and hear from experts who?ve used transportation infrastructure to stimulate tourism and regional economies elsewhere,? said Walton Area Chamber Chair-Elect John Forrester. ?We want to provide the business community and guests a forum for them to learn specifi cally how Northwest Florida?s improving transportation infrastructure can improve their bottom line.?
THE CONFERENCE TENTATIVELY INCLUDES PRESENTATIONS FROM:
? Dr. John Kasarda, professor of management and director of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina?s Kenan-Flagler Business School, an internationally recognized expert on using airports to drive regional economic development.
? Rick Schneider, vice president, Global Business Development, Travelocity Partner Network, an expert on using Online Travel Agencies to drive tourism revenues.
? Michael Pusateri, president and CEO, Vantage Strategy; a senior research scholar at George Washington University; and formerly senior vice president of strategy and COO of the Travel Industry Association of America.
? Professor Darryl Jenkins, author of the ?Handbook of Airline Economics,? and an authority on aviation in Washington, D.C. Jenkins has experience working with local communities to win lowcost air service. He is a regular commentator in the national press.
? Dr. Mark Bonn, associate editor for ?The Journal of Travel Research,? and full professor in the College of Business, Dedman School of Hospitality, at Florida State University and a member of the graduate faculty, Department of Marketing. Dr. Bonn specializes in marketing, research and educational programs for the hospitality, travel and tourism industry.
? Richard B. Jennings, president, Realty Capital International LLC, a global real estate investment banking advisory firm in New York City. Mr. Jennings received his MBA from Harvard Business School and holds a B.A. in Economics from Yale University where he graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.
THERE WILL ALSO BE PRESENTATIONS FROM:
? Rep. Ray Sansom, speaker designate of the Florida House of Representatives.
? Florida Sen. Don Gaetz, chairman of the committee on Education (K-12).
? Florida Sen. Durell Peaden, M.D., chairman of health and human services appropriations.
? Allan G. Bense, Former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and vice chairman of Enterprise Florida.
? Bart Pullum, commissioner on the Florida Transportation Commission.
? Jay Odom, Vice Chairman of the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority.
? Al Wenstrand, president, Florida?s Great Northwest.
? Maj. Gen. David W. Eidsaune, commander, Air Armament Center, and the Air Force program executive offi cer for weapons, Air Force Material Command, Eglin Air Force Base.
? All three NW Florida Airport Authority directors.
? Jerry Ray, senior vice president, strategic alliances.
? Buddy Runnels and Mel Ponder, Coastal Vision 3000, THE Beach.
The event is being held in partnership with Florida?s Great Northwest, Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber, Coastal Vision 3000/THE Beach, The Building Industry Association of Okaloosa and Walton counties, Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, The Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects, Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, The Walton Sun, The Destin Log, The Northwest Florida Daily News, and the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce
It includes opportunities to network with state and regional leaders, a golf tournament at the Raven Golf Club with state legislators and the Chamber?s annual dinner.
To reserve a space contact the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce at (850) 267-0683.
You can also register at www.waltonareachamber.com for conference news updates.