More than 1,000 people are expected
to attend Directions 2003 which bills
itself as the region's largest economic
forum on Jan. 14.
The forum will run from 7 a.m. to
noon at the Grand Ballroom of the Reno
Hilton.
Speakers will include:
* Rick L.Weddle, president and chief
executive officer of the Greater Phoenix
Economic Council and chairman of the
International Economic Development
Council. He'll discuss the challenges and
successes he's encountered while assisting
companies that are relocating or expanding
in the Phoenix area.
* Mason Bishop, deputy assistant secretary
of employment and training
administration for the U.S. Department
of Labor, will address community workforce
strategies.
* Phil Satre, chairman of the board of
Harrah's Entertainment, and Jeff
Beckelman, president and chief executive
officer of the Reno Sparks Convention
and Visitors Authority, will discuss
national competition for the gaming
industry and strategies for re-branding
the region.
* Steven High, executive director of
the Nevada Museum of Art, will analyze
the region's cultural assets and how they
can be used to build the region's economic
future.
Directions 2003 is hosted by the
Economic Development Authority of
Western Nevada and the Reno-Sparks
Chamber of Commerce.
The event was launched in 1992 as a
way for local developers and city officials
to discuss current projects. In its 11-year
history, the Directions series has posted a
10-fold gain in attendance.
Chairs of Directions 2003 are Tom
Baker, president and CEO of IGT, and
Valerie Glenn, president of the
Rose/Glenn Group.
Prices are $50 per ticket or $45 each
when five or more are purchased in
advance. Tickets at the door are $60. To
order tickets, call 337-3039 or at one of
these Web sites: reno.sparkschamber.org
or edawn.org.
