NLEP 2016 Annual Meeting: The Future is NOW!

Is North Louisiana Future Ready? Respected futurist and author Rebecca Ryan will discuss how and why communities should prepare for the millennial generation at the North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP) 2016 Annual Meeting, February 17th at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino, Magnolia Room, 315 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport, LA 71101. The Annual Meeting is open to the public with cocktails at 5:30pm, and the program starts at 6:30pm. Tickets are available for $50 for NLEP investors and $75 for general admission. Purchase tickets online at nlepannualmeeting.eventbrite.com or by calling 318.677.2554. 

“Regions that thrive in the new economy are those communities that can attract and retain a skilled and qualified workforce. With Baby Boomers retiring, Millennials represent the future workforce.  It is important that North Louisiana is a place that appeals to young families and workers,” said Scott Martinez, CEcD, NLEP President.

NLEP Annual Meeting keynote speaker Rebecca Ryan will focus on the importance of communities preparing for future trends that will impact the economy.  Her presentation is entitled “The Next Big Things: North Louisiana’s Next Generation.” Ryan is the Resident Futurist for the Alliance for Innovation. A futurist is a person who studies the future and makes predictions about it based on current trends. She is also a Senior Fellow at CEOs for Cities, and the founder and owner of NEXT Generation Consulting.

Her work in the areas of strategy and innovation has earned her national acclaim, including being named “Top 100 Most Influential People” by Accounting Today; “Communicator of the Year” by Women in Communications; “Entrepreneur of the Year” by U.S. Association for Small Businesses; and “Thought Leader” by CPA Practice Advisor among many other honors. Best-selling author Richard Florida calls Rebecca Ryan, “One of the most reliable sources for leaders who want to attract and retain the next generation of creative workers.”  

Ryan is the author of two books  ?  ReGENERATION: A Manifesto for America’s Future Leaders (2013) and Live First, Work Second: Getting Inside the Head of the Next Generation (2007).

In addition to our keynote presentation, NLEP will also honor public and private leaders for their invaluable contributions to North Louisiana in the areas of business, education, public policy advocacy, and economic development leadership.  IBM will be honored as the NLEP Top Project of 2015. Red Ball Oxygen will receive the NLEP Top of Mind Award for their corporate leadership with the newly-formed Advanced Welding and Manufacturing Program at Bossier Parish Community College.  The NLEP Top Advocate Award will go to Mayor Ronny Walker, City of Ruston.  The NLEP Top Person, chosen by outgoing NLEP Board Chairman Ayres Bradford, will be announced at the Annual Meeting. This award recognizes an individual who has played a key leadership role in economic development. The honoree demonstrates effective leadership in mobilizing the development of programs and projects and is an advocate for economic development.
 
NLEP will also honor outgoing Board Chair Ayres Bradford for his many years of service and leadership on the NLEP Board of Directors. 

About North Louisiana Economic Partnership
North Louisiana Economic Partnership, an Accredited Economic Development Organization, provides professional economic development services to the 14 parish region of North Louisiana, including lead generation and prospect management. The organization also represents the interests of North Louisiana with a unified voice and as a single point of contact. It acts as a catalyst, a convener, and a connector in the region to ensure that North Louisiana’s economic development potential is realized. Its vision is for North Louisiana to be a thriving region-a destination for high quality talent, innovative companies, and global investment.