Featuring Keynote Presentation by Debi Durham, Iowa Economic Development Authority

(Quad Cities) - February 11, 2014 - The Scott County Board of Supervisors, with support from the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, will host an economic development summit on Thursday, February 13 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Isle Conference Center, Bettendorf. The half-day event will include a luncheon with keynote speaker Debi Durham, Director, Iowa Economic Development Director.

"In order to take advantage of the opportunity to have Director Durham come and speak to us about the economic development efforts of the State of Iowa, the Scott County Board of Supervisors has invited professionals from other regional partnerships to tell their stories of successes and pitfalls to avoid."

"The Board of Supervisors has also invited academics and professional practitioners from around Iowa that have experience with small town and rural development, to give the leaders in the smaller towns of Scott County, a chance to learn about programs and policies that have helped such communities thrive here in Iowa," says Scott County Supervisor Carol Earnhardt.

The summit will include two concurrent tracks. Coopatition: Building Trust and Encouraging Partnership will focus on best practices to encourage regional growth and cooperation. Panelists include Ernie Goss, PhD - Creighton University Economist, Jeff Rossate - Deloitte Consulting, Mark Norman, Senior Director of Business Attraction - Greater Omaha Regional Economic Development Partnership, and Larry Burkhardt, Executive Vice President - Fox Cities Regional Partnership.

The second track, The Next Generation of Economic Development, is meant for leaders within the region's rural communities. Speakers will discuss how to assemble the resources necessary to transform a community, the role of historic preservation, and how to cultivate and grow entrepreneurs. Panelists include David Swenson - Iowa State University Economist, Ed Raber, Director - Washington Economic Development Group, Dan Beenken, Director - UNI Small Business Development Center and Advance Iowa, and Sheila Hlas, Director and Bill Daily, Bell Plaine City Administrator and Board Member - Belle Plaine Community Development Corporation.

"This is a great opportunity for our region's economic development leaders to gain insight and best practices from industry professionals, and to advance the dialogue about regional growth in the Quad Cities," says Paul Rumler, Chief Economic Development Officer, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce.

If you go:

Scott County Economic Development Summit

Thursday, February 13

9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Isle Conference Center, Isle of Capri Hotel

1800 Isle Parkways, Bettendorf

Cost: $15, includes lunch

Register at QuadCitiesChamber.com or by calling 563.823.2676.