FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. will host its first-ever Economic Development Summit on Sept. 15 at the Memorial Coliseum.
The event is designed to equip local business leaders for a successful future, with expert presentations and panel discussions delivering insights about the big-picture issues that impact businesses.
“I look at this event as a daylong masterclass for local business leaders of every industry,” GFW Inc. president and CEO John Urbahns said. “Many of the presenters and panelists are subject-matter experts on a statewide and national level. When they bring their expertise to a talented group of businesspeople, I have no doubt this Economic Development Summit will leave our local business community–and Allen County as a whole-in a position to succeed going forward.”
The day’s schedule includes:
- A motivational message from Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch.
- An economic outlook from nationally renowned economist Dr. Michael Hicks, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Ball State University.
- A presentation detailing how entrepreneurship can help Hoosier communities thrive, with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness.
- An overview of Indiana’s plan for business development, presented by Ann Lathrop, executive vice president of global investments for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
- A panel discussion about regional public university growth with the leaders of Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana University Fort Wayne, and Ivy Tech Northeast.
- A conversation about local housing, with experts from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
- A firsthand look at our startup ecosystem, featuring a panel of local entrepreneurs.
The GFW Inc. Economic Development Summit will run from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Memorial Coliseum. Tickets are available at summit22.gfwinc.com.