Site Selectors conference delivers knowledge, networking

HEDC’s leader returned from the Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference informed and updated on one of economic development’s most important facets.

Hancock Economic Development Council Executive Director Randy Sorrell attended the conference April 3-5, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. Hundreds were in attendance, hailing from across the world in fields like local and state economic development, utilities, and railroads.

The conference featured sessions on multiple topics, including:

• Evolving dynamics of energy sector, critical trends, challenges and opportunities facing site selectors and economic developers
• Strategic implications of a second-place finish in a major site selection project
• Navigating diverse cultural landscapes crucial for investment attraction
• Enhancing effectiveness and impact of economic development organization presentations
• The future of batteries
• The future of megaprojects
• How economic development organizations can approach talent, site and energy shortages
• Recommended traits for next generation economic development leadership

The conference also offered plenty of networking opportunities, as relationships are at the foundation of economic development.

Sorrell noted childcare and geopolitical risk dominated many of the discussions among attendees. While economic development organizations have little control over the latter, the former has a critical impact on workforce and is front of mind for HEDC as it works with the Community Foundation of Hancock County and other partners on this important issue.