2014 Upstate Regional Summit

More than 800 leaders from across the ten county Upstate region came together to discuss how to continue growing economic vitality and quality of life across the Upstate during the 2014 Upstate Regional Summit: Re-Checking Our Reality on September 16th at the TD Convention Center,

The Summit included breakout sessions and panels discussing key Upstate issues as well as a keynote address from Glenda Hood, the former Mayor of the City of Orlando.

The Summit also included an overview of where we have been, where we are now and where we are going as a region.

At the Upstate Reality Check event in 2009, participants identified lack of regional collaboration as a barrier to future success for the region. Prior to the 2014 Summit, participants were asked how they thought the Upstate was doing today in fostering cross-sector and cross-jurisdictional collaboration.

More than 94% of survey participants said that the Upstate has improved at regional collaboration since 2009. However, 60% of those respondents said they were still concerned that collaboration could be a barrier to future success if we do not continue developing regional partnerships.

During her address, Hood highlighted other regions across the country that have enhanced their economic vitality by building regional partnerships to address key strategic issues. She commended the Upstate on the efforts that have been done to build collaboration, but encouraged the region to keep working to build partnerships and regional capacity.

Have you taken the post event survey? If you haven’t, we would appreciate your feedback! Click here!

Did you miss the 2014 Upstate Regional Summit? No worries! Check out all of the presentations here.

Download the Honorable Glenda Hood’s presentation here

Where Have We Been, Where Are We Now, Where Are We Going Presentation

Thanks to sponsor AnMed Health and PhotoElectric, the Upstate Regional Summit included the unveiling of a new video including Upstate leaders sharing their insights about the importance of collaboration across the Upstate.

During the Upstate Regional Summit, attendees were asked to share their ideas about “What’s Next Upstate?” as we look towards how to impact key issues across the region.

Broken into the five driver areas, Community Vibrancy, Economic & Entrepreneurial Vitality, Human Potential, Natural Beauty & Resources and Sustainable Growth, ideas provide an insight into what Upstate residents see as key ways to address issues impacting our region both today and as we look towards future growth across the region.

In addition to ideas provided by summit attendees, through a partnership with Imagine That, anyone with an idea, concern or suggestion is asked to share their insight and ideas through WhatsNextUpstate.com.

Ideas will be used by the Ten at the Top Task Forces to identify future opportunities for creating regional collaboration, partnerships and initiatives. Be sure to add yours today!