by TUCSON ROBERTS,
President,
Tucson Atlantic Consulting
It’s January again and the time we begin to schedule travel, allocate budgets and select the year’s activities, events and conferences that we will attend. As the number of economic developers increase so have the choices of activities. Many of us could become full-time “professional conference attenders” if we did not have jobs to do or bosses and boards to please. Consequently, we learn to be selective attending events with the most “bang for the buck”. Most of these activities are choreographed to educate, inform or help us network. I, as you, have been to countless conferences over the years that have fulfilled this function. These meetings are usually thoughtfully crafted around subject matters determined by a conference committee or a board of directors. You go, you sit, you listen, you eat, and attend a reception or two… well you know the drill! And there is nothing wrong with that – in fact it’s worked well for decades.
Now let me tell you about the Janus Forum where a select group of 35 economic developers assemble, determine their subjects of interest, and discuss them among themselves for 3 days (of course they also eat and attend a couple of great receptions). This practice of “discussing with” each other rather than being “lectured to” creates an entrepreneurial approach to economic development that I have experienced in no other venue. It’s something unique and very special. The individuals that experience this event are invited back and are also responsible for nominating future attendees. The Janus Forum has operated successfully and grown for five years form its mountain home in Lakemont Georgia. However, this year due to its popularity and partnership with Conway Data it will expand to at least two additional locations; one in Northwest Florida and another in New York.
For those who have attended this event you know how special it is. For those of you who have not you have a very special experience ahead.
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