On August 23 - 24, regional leaders came together for our Annual Leadership Conference presented by TowneBank. The annual two-day conference at the Pinehurst Resort focused on making connections with top leaders and discussing topics important to our region’s growth including new developments, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), transportation infrastructure and innovations, trends in the national and local labor force, and upcoming bond campaigns.
Attendees heard from a wide range of speakers during this important event. View the recap and a few highlights from each session:
New Developments
Leading Triangle developers provided insight on planned growth and shared the impact of their new projects in this lightning-style session. Developments discussed ranged from global life science centers to local projects like Centennial Campus, Smoky Hollow, and other mixed-use spaces.
Leading Triangle developers provided insight on planned growth and shared the impact of their new projects in this lightning-style session. Developments discussed ranged from global life science centers to local projects like Centennial Campus, Smoky Hollow, and other mixed-use spaces.
- Greg Capps, North Carolina Managing Director, Longfellow Real Estate Partners, LLC
- David Connor, Senior Vice President, Lincoln Harris
- John Kane, Chairman and CEO, Kane Realty Corporation
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
This panel discussed the prevailing trends in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and explained how businesses are aligning company values with operations in supporting environmental and social movements. Panelists also highlighted the Triangle’s unique assets aiding industry ESG goals such as the commitment of local organizations to prioritize partnerships.
“We have a chance to be a real exemplar across our region in sustainability!” – Leah Burton
This panel discussed the prevailing trends in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and explained how businesses are aligning company values with operations in supporting environmental and social movements. Panelists also highlighted the Triangle’s unique assets aiding industry ESG goals such as the commitment of local organizations to prioritize partnerships.
“We have a chance to be a real exemplar across our region in sustainability!” – Leah Burton
- Leah Burton, Director, Office of Partnerships, North Carolina State University
- Sarah Gaskill, Head of Sustainability and ESG, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies
- Jerry Williams, Chief Environmental Officer, SAS Institute
- Albert Alwang, Economic Development Director, Wake County Economic Development (moderator)
Transportation Infrastructure and Innovations
Regional leaders in transportation took the stage to give an overview of imminent transportation projects and current plans to improve mobility for our region moving forward. Attendees received updates on RDU’s recovery, plans for a regional commuter rail, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program, and highway projects.
Regional leaders in transportation took the stage to give an overview of imminent transportation projects and current plans to improve mobility for our region moving forward. Attendees received updates on RDU’s recovery, plans for a regional commuter rail, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program, and highway projects.
- Brandon Jones, Division Engineer, North Carolina Department of Transportation
- Michael Landguth, President and Chief Executive Officer, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
- Chuck Lattuca, President & Chief Executive Officer, GoTriangle
- Michael Moore, Director of Transportation, City of Raleigh Municipal Government
- Joe Milazzo, Executive Director, Regional Transportation Alliance (moderator)
Bridging the Gap in our Labor Force
As lead author of The Demographic Drought and its follow-up report released in February of 2022, Ron answers pressing economic questions by analyzing past, present, and future workforces. Attendees gained insight into the rise and fall of America’s population and labor force participation rate and how employers and higher education institutions can survive the sansdemic (sans-without; demic-people).
“The way we consume labor as a society has to change…the U.S. needs 3 to 5 million workers to meet the economy’s needs!” – Ron Hetrick
As lead author of The Demographic Drought and its follow-up report released in February of 2022, Ron answers pressing economic questions by analyzing past, present, and future workforces. Attendees gained insight into the rise and fall of America’s population and labor force participation rate and how employers and higher education institutions can survive the sansdemic (sans-without; demic-people).
“The way we consume labor as a society has to change…the U.S. needs 3 to 5 million workers to meet the economy’s needs!” – Ron Hetrick
- Ron Hetrick, Senior Labor Economist and VP of Staffing Product, Emsi Burning Glass
Upcoming Bond Campaigns
Speakers urged the public to vote “yes” in November on upcoming Raleigh Parks, Wake County Public School System, and Wake Technical Community College bonds to continue supporting the growth and innovation of our region in the coming years. Attendees received updates on the use of previous funds and heard about specific projects that will require funding.
Speakers urged the public to vote “yes” in November on upcoming Raleigh Parks, Wake County Public School System, and Wake Technical Community College bonds to continue supporting the growth and innovation of our region in the coming years. Attendees received updates on the use of previous funds and heard about specific projects that will require funding.
- Dr. Scott Ralls, President, Wake Technical Community College
- Mitchell Silver, Principal, McAdams & Co-Chair of Citizens Supporting Raleigh Bond Campaign Committee
- Andrew Blackburn, Vice President of Government Affairs, Raleigh Chamber
Attendees at this year’s Annual Leadership Conference were also the first to hear about the chosen location for the 2023 Inter-City Visit & Leadership Conference: Tampa, Florida!
We are proud to support our region’s growth through events like the Annual Leadership Conference, presented by TowneBank. The Chamber sincerely appreciate each of our speakers, our sponsors, and our regional leaders for joining us for an engaging and invigorating two-day conference! We look forward to seeing what progress our discussions lead to and hope to see you soon at another Raleigh Chamber event.
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