Annual business forum slated to happen July 22

CMC president Carrie Besnette Hauser to speak at Vail Valley Business Forum event

First printed in the Vail Daily News.

VAIL — The Vail Valley Partnership will host the eighth annual Vail Valley Business Forum July 22 at the Four Seasons Resort Vail from 8:30 to 11 a.m. This year’s theme is “Regional Challenges, Local Solutions.” Attendees will gain access to the latest ideas and information in the areas of regional economic development, workforce, healthcare and transportation. The Vail Valley Business Forum is the Partnership’s largest educational event.

Following a TED-like format, four keynote speakers will first present on their areas of expertise, followed by question and answer sessions with local industry leaders. The format will provide attendees with a high-level regional understanding of a variety of topics, with a locally focused perspective on solutions. Tickets are $15 for Partnership members and $30 for everyone else.

Keynote speakers and local panelists include:

• Workforce: Carrie Besnette Hauser, president of Colorado Mountain College. Local leaders moderating the Q&A will feature Johannes Faessler and Mike Rushmore.

• Transportation: Margaret Bowes, program manager for the I-70 Coalition. Local leaders moderating the Q&A are Tim Baker and Mark Herron.

• Health Care: Colorado Insurance Commissioner Marguerite Salazar. Local leaders moderating the Q & A are Pam Beaudin and Jennifer Ludwig.

• Regional Economic Development and Collaboration: Kelly J. Brough, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Local leaders moderating the Q & A are Ben Gochberg and Jill Ryan.

Diverse Array of Experience

Each of the presenting keynote speakers and moderating panelists bring a diverse experience to the forum. Due to the broad scope of topics, community members and organizations will be able to identify a unique challenge they face and better understand how solutions can be implemented here in the Vail Valley.

“While we’re seeing improvement in the economy, we still face numerous challenges,” said Chris Romer, president and CEO of the Vail Valley Partnership. “Health care, I-70, workforce development and regional collaboration impact our community on a daily basis, and we are looking forward to tackling some of these topics at the Business Forum on July 22. We are equally excited to bring four keynote speakers of such high caliber to help bring a regional viewpoint to these challenges facing our community,”

As the Vail Valley’s community development organization, the Vail Valley Partnership strives to provide innovative and timely business-related information at a low-cost to the community and its members. Audience participation and questions are a key component of the event and guests are encouraged to submit questions in advance. Please include your question(s) in your RSVP by phone or email.

To RSVP — and RSVPs are required — email Haley McNeill at haley@visitvailvalley.com or call 970-477-4027. For more information about the Vail Valley Business Forum, go to www.vailvalleypartnership.com.