Nov 21, 2013 | Forum
Upstate, SC [November 21, 2013] – The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport has been selected as the 2013 recipient of the Welling Award for Collaboration, which is presented by Ten at the Top (TATT) in honor of the organization’s founding chairman Irv Welling.
Welling presented the award to Dave Edwards, President and CEO of the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport at the Our Upstate Vision/Ten at the Top Regional Forum on November 19th.
The Welling Award is given to recognize individuals, businesses, or organizations whose actions have demonstrated a sustained commitment and effort to developing and fostering regional collaboration(s) that work strategically to make the Upstate one of the best places to live, learn, do business and raise a family.
“The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport was started more than 50 years ago as a result of regional collaboration and has grown into such an important component of our region because it continues today to be a great example of regional partnerships,” Welling said.
Ten at the Top is a regional collaboration organization focused on promoting collaboration, partnerships and strategic planning across the Upstate on issues that impact economic vitality and quality of life in the ten-county region. Welling served as chairman of Ten at the Top from its founding in 2005 through 2011.
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Nov 6, 2013 | Forum
Upstate, SC– Ten at the Top, an organization created to foster collaboration, partnerships and strategic planning across the Upstate, will focus the fourth and final Our Upstate Vision Forum of 2013 on celebrating successes in the Upstate. The forum, which is free and open to the public, is being held from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at the Embassy Suites (670 Verdae Boulevard Greenville, SC 29607). A networking reception will immediately follow the forum.
The overall theme for the 2013 Forum Series is “Destination 2030: Thinking BIG and BOLD About the Future of the Upstate.” Each forum will focus on a different topic and look at short, middle and long term opportunities that can help ensure that the Upstate in 2030 is universally recognized as a leader in that particular area. During this forum, we will celebrate the successes and great things happening in the Upstate.
While it is critical to continue looking at areas where we must continue to work to make the Upstate an even better place for generations to come, it is also important that we take opportunities to recognize and understand some of the great things from our past and that are happening today in our region.
The forum will also include recognition of companies and organizations celebrating milestone anniversaries (20 years or more) in 2013. Ten at the Top will announce the first recipients of the Elevate Upstate Grants. The five finalists will give a short presentation about their project and what it will do for the community they represent.
The Our Upstate Vision Forum Series began in 2012 with TATT hosting four forums across the Upstate. The series continues in 2013 with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina serving as the Series Premier Sponsor.
There is no cost to attend the forum, but attendees are asked to register in advance at www.tenatthetop.org. Registration deadline is November 18th. For more information contact Ten at the Top at 864.283.2313.
Sep 17, 2013 | Forum, Uncategorized
Upstate, SC – Ten at the Top (TATT), an organization created to foster collaboration, partnerships and strategic planning across the Upstate, recently conducted the 300th regional engagement (presentations, forums, meetings, surveys) since the organization began its current phase in January 2010. The activities have included more than 18,000 participants from across the Upstate region.
Ranging from issue-based task force meetings to presentations for community organizations or gatherings of hundreds of elected officials, community & business leaders and Upstate residents discussing key issues around the economic vitality or quality of life in the Upstate, each session has helped grow the spirit of collaboration and partnerships across the Upstate region.
The issues on which TATT has convened regional meetings and encouraged collaboration focus around the five driver areas of the Our Upstate Vision (which TATT developed through feedback from more than 10,000 Upstate residents). The specific topics on which TATT has convened meetings and forums include the value of education, developing entrepreneurial friendly communities, senior issues, air quality attainment, water planning, transportation & infrastructure, workforce & skill development, community vibrancy and preventive health care.
“We can make better decisions on common issues which cross municipal and county lines by talking with each other,” said current TATT Chairman Neal Workman. “We can’t solve the types of things that Ten at the Top is involved with by ourselves.”
“Reaching 300 meetings and activities is significant because it illustrates that TATT is actively engaging stakeholders from across the Upstate to build regional trust and ensure that consistent discussions are occurring about how we can work together to strategically impact issues that are key to maintaining and enhancing our economic vitality and quality of life,” Workman added.
Ten at the Top was originally formed under the name Upstate Together in 2005 as an ad hoc regional committee with the goal of encouraging regional discussions on cross-jurisdictional issues. In 2009, the group hosted the Upstate Reality Check event that brought together more than 400 leaders from across the region. It was at that point that the name of the organization was changed to Ten at the Top and it was incorporated as a non-profit.
The current work plan of community activities, meetings, forums and presentations began in 2010 following the hiring of Dean Hybl as executive director. Irv Welling served as the chair of Ten at the Top through 2011 when he was succeeded by Neal Workman. The board of directors includes more than 60 leaders from across the ten counties of the Upstate region.
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Aug 19, 2013 | Forum
Upstate, SC – Ten at the Top, an organization created to foster collaboration, partnerships and strategic planning across the Upstate, will focus the third Our Upstate Vision Forum of 2013 on the topic of Transportation and Infrastructure in the Upstate. The forum, which is free and open to the public, is being held from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2013 in the AT&T Auditorium at CU-ICAR (4 Research Drive Greenville, SC 20607). A networking reception will immediately follow the forum.
The overall theme for the 2013 Forum Series is “Destination 2030: Thinking BIG and BOLD About the Future of the Upstate.” Each forum will focus on a different topic and look at short, middle and long term opportunities that can help ensure that the Upstate in 2030 is universally recognized as a leader in that particular area. During this forum, we will explore transportation and infrastructure needs and opportunities in the Upstate.
Speakers will include Max Metcalf, Manager of Government & Community Relations for BMW and Vice Chair of the SC Infrastructure Bank, Dave Edwards, President and CEO of GSP Airport, Brian White, SC House of Representatives Member and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman and Byron Miller, Vice President, Marketing and Sales Support, for the South Carolina Port Authority.
There will also be a group discussion where the audience and subject experts will discuss some of the specific opportunities that can help the Upstate (and all of South Carolina) overcome current challenges and ensure that the region has the long-term infrastructure needed to remain globally competitive.
The Our Upstate Vision Forum Series began in 2012 with TATT hosting four forums across the Upstate. The series continues in 2013 with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina serving as the Series Premier Sponsor.
There is no cost to attend the forum, but attendees are asked to register in advance at www.tenatthetop.org. Registration deadline is September 4th. For more information contact Ten at the Top at 864.283.2313.
May 29, 2013 | Forum
Upstate, SC – Ten at the Top, an organization created to foster collaboration and partnerships across the Upstate, will focus the second Our Upstate Vision Forum of 2013 on the topic of Natural Resources and the Upstate Economy. The forum, which is free and open to the public, is being held from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2013 in the AT&T Auditorium at CU-ICAR (5 Research Drive Greenville, SC 20607). A networking reception will immediately follow the forum.
The overall theme for the 2013 Forum Series is “Destination 2030: Thinking BIG and BOLD About the Future of the Upstate.” Each forum will focus on a different topic and look at short, middle and long term opportunities that can help ensure that the Upstate in 2030 is universally recognized as a leader in that particular area. During this forum, we will explore the relationship between natural resources and the Upstate Economy.
Speakers will include Deepal Eliatamby, President of Alliance Consulting Engineers, to look at the direct connection between the economy and our natural resources, as well as Myra Reece from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), David Bereskin from Greenville Water and Dr. Barry Nocks from Clemson University to look at the current and future status of our important resources of air, water and land.
There will also be a group discussion where the audience and subject experts will discuss some of the specific challenges and opportunities facing the Upstate as we look toward maintaining our natural resources both for their relationship to quality of life and to economic vitality.
The Our Upstate Vision Forum Series began in 2012 with TATT hosting four forums across the Upstate. The series continues in 2013 with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina serving as the Series Premier Sponsor. The lead sponsor for the Natural Resources and the Upstate Economy Forum is TD Bank.
There is no cost to attend the forum, but attendees are asked to register in advance at www.tenatthetop.org. Registration deadline is June 5th. For more information contact Ten at the Top at 864.283.2313.
Jan 22, 2013 | Forum
Upstate, SC – Ten at the Top, an organization created to foster collaboration and partnerships across the Upstate, will focus the first Our Upstate Vision Forum of 2013 on the topic of Workforce and Skill Development. The forum, which is free and open to the public, is being held from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at BMW Zentrum (1400 Highway 101 South, Greer, SC 29651). A networking reception will immediately follow the forum.
The overall theme for the 2013 Forum Series is “Destination 2030: Thinking BIG and BOLD About the Future of the Upstate.” Each forum will focus on a different topic and look at short, middle and long term opportunities that can help ensure that the Upstate in 2030 is universally recognized as a leader in that particular area. Workforce and Skill Development has been identified by business, education and economic leaders as one of the most critical issues facing the Upstate region, as well as the entire United States, when looking toward future growth and economic success.
Many organizations are currently engaged in Workforce and Skill Development at some level and the January 31st Forum will include an overview of Workforce and Skill Development in the Upstate; who is working on this issue, what is being done about it, and how it is funded.
Josh Copus, with the National Association of Workforce Boards, will share what innovative ideas are working around the country. Copus will analyze what other areas are doing to become “cutting edge” in the Workforce and Skill Development area. He will dig deeper into specific examples of what is being done and how they have been able to succeed. On a larger scale, Copus will explain how these areas have been able to create community buy-in and political will to help them succeed.
Dean Hybl, Executive Director of Ten at the Top, will lead an interactive discussion where the attendees and “BIG and BOLD subject experts” will be encouraged to suggest and brainstorm ideas they believe will help to push the Upstate to the forefront of Workforce and Skill Development. The open discussion will include ideas on how to enhance current efforts as well as to grow middle and long term opportunities that focus on collaboration and maximizing resources across the Upstate.
The Our Upstate Vision Forum Series began in 2012 with four TATT hosting four forums across the Upstate. The Series continues in 2013 with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina serving as the Series Premier Sponsor. The Workforce and Skill Development Forum is being hosted by TATT in partnership with the four Workforce Investment Boards in the region.
There is no cost to attend the forum, but attendees are asked to register in advance at www.tenatthetop.org. Registration deadline is January 30th. For more information contact Ten at the Top at 864.283.2313.
