Economic Summit 2018: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 12th Annual Economic Summit!

8:00am MDT

Check-in and Networking Breakfast

Summit on-site registration begins in the lobby just outside the Main Banquet Room. A light breakfast will be provided.

Wednesday October 24, 2018 8:00am - 8:45am MDT
Pre-function Area Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Networking Time

8:45am MDT

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Wednesday October 24, 2018 8:45am - 9:00am MDT
Main Banquet Room Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Keynote Presentation

9:00am MDT

The Strategic Leader in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous World (VUCA)

Speakers

Gregory Bunch

Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Greg Bunch draws on a wealth of experience as an entrepreneur, manager, consultant, alderman, and teacher. He is the founder of Masterplan International Corporation, a strategy consulting firm. He was also a partner at Brandtrust, a brand strategy consultancy. Greg co-founded a healthcare... Read More →

Sponsors

Worldpay

The smarter, faster, easier, credit card processor.Connected consumers are ready to make purchases anytime, anywhere. Your business needs to be ready to accept their credit card payments. From helping businesses integrate points-of-sale, to fueling eCommerce transactions, to activating... Read More →

Wednesday October 24, 2018 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Main Banquet Room Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Keynote Presentation, Economic Development

10:15am MDT

Visit Vendor Booths and Networking Time

Use this time to visit the many vendor booths in the Main Banquet Room and Lobby to learn about the many wonderful resources available to help your business succeed in today's uncertain world. Don't forget to have each vendor stamp your Vendor Visitor cards! Filled out cards will be eligible for great prizes at the end of the day.

Wednesday October 24, 2018 10:15am - 10:40am MDT
Main Banquet Room Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Networking Time

10:40am MDT

Building Your Business Around People (Instead of Process)

Stakeholders & Marketing Managers are in a tough position. Customer preferences continue to evolve rapidly and businesses are under tremendous pressure to rise above the competition. The challenge requires versatility and new thinking to be successful. The session will offer an new way to think about developing a competitive advantage: foucsing on human behavior rather than proesses and tactics. The emphasis will be on these elements:

1. Organizing a business around people and messaging
2. How spending decisions are driven by feelings and emotions
3. Why the message is more important than how you deploy that message

We guarantee you will hear solutions that you have not heard before. The session will teach you a new way to think about competitive success. the lessons will apply to Retail, Service and Not-for-profit businesses.

Speakers

Geoff Wolf

Owner, WolfDirect

Geoff offers many years of entrepreneurial experience gained from creating success for his own businesses and those of his national consulting clients. Geoff founded tow businesses in Durango guiding both to profitability and successful liquidity events. He understands what it... Read More →

Wednesday October 24, 2018 10:40am - 11:40am MDT
Room C Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Breakout Session, Marketing/Sales

10:40am MDT

Foreign Trade in the Era of Protectionism

Foreign sales are a key growth opportunity for many businesses. However, protectionism is on the rise not only in the United States, but in other countries abroad as well. How can businesses looking to maintain or expand their international presence continue to flourish in times of international discord? Hear about the trends, strategies, and opportunities to engage in international sales in a hostile political environment.

Speakers

Jérôme Pischella

Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner, Consulate of Canada in Denver, Colorado

Jérôme Pischella has been Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner at the Consulate of Canada in Denver, Colorado since July 2014, overseeing Canadian interests in Colorado, Utah, Kansas, Wyoming and Montana.Jérôme was Counsellor, Science and Technology at the Canadian Embassy in... Read More →

Kerry Siggins

CEO, StoneAge, Inc

StoneAge, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of high pressure waterblasting and sewer cleaning tools and equipment used in the industrial cleaning industry. StoneAge sells and supports its products throughout the world and has over 170 dealers in 45 countries.Kerry... Read More →

Jim Tencza

President, HDS Freight Services

HDS Freight Services is an International Freight forwarder and US Customs Broker located in Bayfield, Colorado (yes, Bayfield... Jim says he wants to enjoy the Colorado life as well as working) and also has offices in Los Angeles and London. HDS Freight Services Bayfield office... Read More →

Wednesday October 24, 2018 10:40am - 11:40am MDT
Bonny Kent Room Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Breakout Session, Economic Development

10:40am MDT

I Wish I Had Thought of That: Why Protecting Your Ideas and Inventions Give You an Edge.

This session will cover the basics of copyrights, patents, and trademarks, and why a business needs to consider all three aspects of intellectual property to compete. In the first part of this session we will cover the basics of intellectual property and why it is necessary to protect your ideas and inventions. Next we will review the “How to” process when researching and applying for a copyright, patent, or trademark, and finally we will discuss what steps you need to take to complete the process and when to hire a lawyer. Obtaining and protecting the intellectual property for your business gives you a competitive edge and helps you remain versatile in today’s business environment.

Speakers

Donna Arment

Information Specialist, Durango Public Library

Living and working as an Information Specialist in Durango for the past 20 years, has given Donna the opportunity to collaborate with many organizations at both the local and state levels. She has an undergraduate degree from Fort Lewis College and a graduate degree in Library and... Read More →

Eric Prosser

Campus Copyright Librarian, Fort Lewis College

Eric serves as the campus resource for the legal and ethical use of copyrighted material and administers the College’s licenses for the use of copyrighted works in campus performances. Eric also is an Adjunct Professor of Business Law in the School of Business Administration... Read More →

Wednesday October 24, 2018 10:40am - 11:40am MDT
Vida Peabody Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Breakout Session, Economic Development

10:40am MDT

Manufacturing Is Not Dead: Examining Colorado's Production Skills and Clusters Supply Chain Opportunities

This session will summarize Emsi's "Manufacturing Is Not Dead" study for Colorado, which provides a cluster-based assessment of the most important manufacturing skills in the state and an industry supply chain analysis that highlights opportunities for Colorado businesses to serve Colorado manufacturers. The goal of the study and this presentation is to better equip Colorado communities to engage local manufacturers and educational institutions in a conversation to meet the training needs of the state's manufacturing workforce and help the sector flourish.

Speakers

Joshua Wright

VP of Economic Workforce Development, Emsi

Joshua Wright serves as the Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Emsi, a labor market and economic analytics firm. He leads the company's community insights division, a team whose focus is to help communities and states strengthen their economies and help jobseekers... Read More →

Wednesday October 24, 2018 10:40am - 11:40am MDT
John S. Williams Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Breakout Session, Economic Development

10:40am MDT

The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday: How Navy SEALs prepare for the VUCA world

How do the US Navy SEALs train, organize and prepare for uncertainty? This exciting presentation looks at frameworks, practices, and core values that have withstood the trials by fire.

Speakers

Ryan Evans

Former Navy SEAL

Originally from Seattle, Ryan moved to Colorado in 1997 for undergraduate studies at CU-Boulder majoring in International Affairs. In 2002, he earned his commission through Navy ROTC and reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) in Coronado, CA. He served 11... Read More →

Wednesday October 24, 2018 10:40am - 11:40am MDT
Bingo Room Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Breakout Session, Leadership

11:40am MDT

Networking Lunch

Enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by Sky Ute Casino's incredible chef and network with your neighbors. This is also a good time to visit any vendor booths you may have missed.

Wednesday October 24, 2018 11:40am - 12:15pm MDT
Main Banquet Room Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Networking Time

12:15pm MDT

A Message from the New President at Fort Lewis College

Click Here to see a short video welcoming students to the 2018-19 school year.

Speakers

Dr. Tom Stritikus

President, Fort Lewis College

Prior to his new appointment at Fort Lewis College, Tom was Deputy Director of Education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He served on the Global Learning Initiative building a strategy to improve education in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In this role, he collaborated... Read More →

Wednesday October 24, 2018 12:15pm - 12:30pm MDT
Main Banquet Room Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Keynote Presentation

12:30pm MDT

Tourism and Resiliency - A Panel Discussion

Key tourism organizations in our region answer the question - What is the biggest challenge you are facing and what are you doing to prepare?

Speakers

James Coleman

Owner, Mountain Capital Partners/Purgatory Resort

James H. Coleman is the Managing Partner and CEO of Mountain Capital Partners (MCP). MCP is a resort management company, particularly focusing on ski operations. Coleman has over 30 years of investment and development experience and has established offices in Durango, Colorado; Phoenix... Read More →

Sharon Craig

Trustee, Town of Ignacio

Sharon Craig, Partner Meadow Brook Management, LLC and Town of Ignacio Trustee, Ignacio. Sharon and her husband, Clark returned to the area in January 2017 and purchased the Meadow Brook Mobile Home Park. They met and were married in Durango 27 years ago. They have three daughters... Read More →

Kevin Hall

Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director, City of Durango

Hall has been with the City of Durango since 2001. He has served in a variety of community development-oriented positions during his tenure with the City including Parks, Open Space and Trails Development Manager, Director of Natural Lands and Sustainability; and Community Development... Read More →

Al Harper

Owner, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Allen C. Harper has more than 40 years of business experience, primarily in the areas of real estate sales and management, development, rail transportation, and tourism. He is still active in a variety of businesses. Beginning in 1984 he was principally employed as Chairman, President... Read More →

Aaron Kimple

Program Director for Forest Health, Mountain Studies Institute

Kimple has worked to address the intersection between forest health and water quality for 20+ years. He leads the San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership with Pagosa District of the SJNF and 2 States-3 Rivers-2 Regions Cohesive Strategy Partnership, which brings together communities... Read More →

Sponsors

Fort Lewis College

Inspiring today's students. Cultivating tomorrow's leaders. Fort Lewis College is preparing professional, scientific and creative leaders who are ready and able to advance your business organization.

Wednesday October 24, 2018 12:30pm - 1:30pm MDT
Main Banquet Room Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Keynote Presentation

1:45pm MDT

Blind-spots, Scandals and PR Crises: Identifying Risks for Resilience and Sustainability

Wells Fargo, Facebook and United Airlines headline a long list of companies caught in scandal. Organizations of all sizes can be blindsided by unethical behavior and poor judgment up and down the ranks. Risk Management is critical to creating a culture of respect, accountability and transparency. Learn how local organizations, right here in La Plata County have deployed proven techniques for managing the risks. Bring tools and techniques back to your organization that you can use right away!

Speakers

Dr. Barb

CEO, Durango Learns

Dr. Barb is an educator with 20 years of experience working in educational institutions, agencies, and corporations. She has been instructing in online classrooms for nearly two decades in the subjects of psychology, sociology and communication. Her strong background in these... Read More →

Andrea Hoffmeier

Co-Founder, SHERPA Sustainability Institute

Andrea Hoffmeier is co-author of "A Six Sigma Approach to Sustainability: Continual Improvement for Social Responsibility", and co-founder of SHERPA Sustainability Institute, a non-profit serving large organizations across the globe, headquartered in Durango. She is a Six Sigma... Read More →

Wednesday October 24, 2018 1:45pm - 2:55pm MDT
Bingo Room Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Breakout Session, Risk Management

1:45pm MDT

Developing a 21st Century Compensation Plan - A Panel Discussion

Employee total compensation (wages, plus benefits) are a strategic business tool for attracting, retaining and motivating the best and brightest employees. Come and hear how local leaders are addressing this issue in an era of constant change and volatility. How is your organization preparing for employee/employer resiliency when your business has to change on a dime? Come and be a part of this important discussion.

Speakers

Betsy Fitzpatrick

Director of Human Resources, StoneAge Tools

Betsy has spent 17+ years in the human resources field, and holds senior certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management. She received an English Literature degree from UC Berkeley and then happily misspent her early twenties... Read More →

Dan Snowberger

Superintendent, Durango School District 9-R

Dan Snowberger, Superintendent of Durango School District 9-R, is in his 32nd year in public education. His career as an educator stretches multiple states including Florida, California, and Colorado. He has served as superintendent in Durango since July 2012. Prior to that he held... Read More →

Alison Williams

Talent Acquisition Specialist, Mercy Regional Medical Center

Ms. Williams is on a mission to find top notch nursing and allied talent for Centura. She is proud to be a part of Mercy Regional Medical Center, who is a living wage employer that is committed to create a sustainable local economy where everyone can thrive. Alison has been working... Read More →

Wednesday October 24, 2018 1:45pm - 2:55pm MDT
Room C Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Breakout Session, Employees

1:45pm MDT

Investing to Achieve Financial Versatility

Change is inevitable and happening faster and faster in all things and industries. The financial industry has been a little bit of a laggard in change but is beginning a fairly rapid process of change with some obscurity. Some of these changes are regulatory, some technological, and some are business processes. Regardless, all the changes will require more versatility and faster responses in business and personal management of financial processes going forward and into the future. This presentation will highlight some of the important changes that are happening and what people should be considering when navigating these changes.

Speakers

Jim Engelken

Chief Compliance Officer / Investment Advisor / Financial Consultant, J Engelken and Associates

Jim has proven leadership in numerous roles including compliance, financial and investment advisory, business development, project management, and business consulting. He has been affiliated with the investment and advisory/consulting arena for more than 20 years, as a professional... Read More →

Wednesday October 24, 2018 1:45pm - 2:55pm MDT
Bonny Kent Room Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Breakout Session, Finance

1:45pm MDT

The Disappearing Entrepreneurs

There are fewer and fewer businesses being started in Colorado each year. Small businesses are getting fewer and smaller and the big businesses are getting bigger and more dominant. By creating more new small businesses, we create more competition. Mike will speak to the trends and demographics of new start-up businesses and the importance of economic diversity as it relates to competition.

Speakers

Mike O'Donnell

Executive Director, Colorado Lending Source

Mike is passionate about small business & entrepreneurship, and thus, Colorado Lending Source is the leading state-wide educational provider of a range of accessible, lower-cost lending options for both startups and seasoned businesses, including the character-based Colorado Main... Read More →

Wednesday October 24, 2018 1:45pm - 2:55pm MDT
John S. Williams Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Breakout Session, Economic Development

1:45pm MDT

The Entrepreneurial Leader in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous World (VUCA)

Take what you heard in the Keynote Session and participate in a workshop. How does this apply to you and your business?

Speakers

Gregory Bunch

Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Wednesday October 24, 2018 1:45pm - 2:55pm MDT
Main Banquet Room Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Breakout Session, Leadership

2:55pm MDT

Networking Break and Time to Turn in Vendor Visitor Cards

Wednesday October 24, 2018 2:55pm - 3:15pm MDT
Main Banquet Room Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Networking Time

3:15pm MDT

The Future of Our Local Economy

Hear our Economic Development Alliance Executive Director give a summary of our local economy's trends in the various sectors and what it might mean for your business in the short and long term.

We will also be drawing the winners from the day's Vendor Visitor Cards during this wrap-up session!

Speakers

Roger Zalneraitis

Executive Director, La Plata County Economic Development Alliance

Roger has worked in both the private sector as a consultant and a risk manager for trading companies, as well as in the public sector as an economic development specialist. He has an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Notre Dame, and a graduate degree in Urban... Read More →

Sponsors

GCC Energy

GCC Energy, owns and operates the King II Coal Mine in southwestern Colorado. Located approximately 10 miles southwest of Hesperus, CO the King II Coal Mine is a dry, underground mine that proudly carries on as part of the historic tradition of over a century of agriculture and coal... Read More →

Wednesday October 24, 2018 3:15pm - 4:00pm MDT
Main Banquet Room Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Keynote Presentation, Economic Development

4:00pm MDT

Chairman's Circle Reception

All of the day's learning, sharing, collaborating and networking is capped off on the beautiful lawn outside the Sky Ute Casino with delicious appetizers and drinks hosted by Alliance Chairman Circle Members.

Wednesday October 24, 2018 4:00pm - 4:45pm MDT
Clara Burch Lawn Sky Ute Casino Event Center

Networking Time