uc

June 23, 1999
Contact: Carey Hoffman
513-556-1825
carey.hoffman@uc.edu


REGIONAL BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT LEADERS MEET AT UC
TO EXAMINE IMPACT OF "NEW ECONOMY"

Cincinnati -- Learning about the "new economy" will be the centerpiece for dozens of area business and economic development leaders when the UC Center for Economic Education hosts the fourth annual University of Cincinnati/Cinergy Regional Economic Development Seminar Tuesday, June 29.

The seminar, entitled "Bridging the Gap," is geared towards those involved with community economic development in Greater Cincinnati, from local government officials to business professionals and consultants. Topics will include the impact of an expanded Cincinnati Convention Center and Cincinnati's bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.

"We at Cinergy are convinced that the success of our company is directly linked to the growth and success of the communities we serve," says David Smith, manager of Cinergy Economic Development. "This seminar has proven to be a valuable tool for creating open dialogue among community leaders in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, in order to more effectively promote the economic growth of the Greater Cincinnati region."

The keynote speaker, sponsored by the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, is Robert D. Atkinson, director of the Progressive Policy Institute s Technology, Innovation and New Economy project. Atkinson will give his views on government's role in the new economy, which he defines as a fundamental transformation underway in areas such as how production is organized, patterns of trade and the way organizations deliver value to consumers. The new economy, Atkinson believes, goes beyond just new technology and the Internet it is how firms are organizing work around those advances and using it to produce innovation.

The seminar topics include:

  • Phases of Regionalism in Greater Cincinnati: The Transition from Gathering Information to Taking Action, with Jim Wuenker, senior vice president of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce; George Vredeveld, director of UC's Center for Economic Education; and Ron Miller, director of the Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission

  • Overview of Greater Cincinnati's Workforce Development Initiatives, with Geri Kolesar, vice president of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce

  • How Expansion of the Convention Center Will Affect the Regional Economy, with Andi Udris, the city of Cincinnati's director of economic development; and Michael Wilson, president of the Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitor's Bureau

  • Evaluating Economic Development Initiatives, with Bob Bode, director of PMD Advisory Services

  • Regional Economic Development Cooperation: Bidding for the 2012 Olympics, with Nick Vehr, president of Cincinnati 2012 Inc.

    Keynote speaker Atkinson recently appeared at the National Governors' Association winter meeting and gave a presentation on the subject of the "new economy."

    "I think what we're going to find out is that the Tristate area has some great opportunities coming up, but that we are only going to be able to meet those challenges through cooperation -- such as business, education and public partnerships -- and enlightened thinking," says George Vredeveld, UC professor of economics and director of the Center for Economic Education.

    The site for the seminar is the Russell C. Myers Alumni Center. Sponsors include UC and Cinergy.

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    carey.hoffman@uc.edu
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