Peter Kageyama to keynote 4th Nevada Economic Development Conference

Do you love where you live? Would other people love to live there too? Those two questions are at the heart of economic development, according to Peter Kageyama, a keynote speaker at the Fourth Annual Nevada Economic Development Conference Aug. 20-22, 2018 at the Atlantis Casino Resort & Spa in Reno, Nevada. For registration and more information, visit nvedc.com.

“Every place, every city, no matter how big, no matter how small, has people who love it,” Kageyama said. “My job is to help organizations recognize those people because they are exceptional.”

During his keynote at the Nevada Economic Development Conference, Kageyama, an internationally sought-after community development consultant and grassroots engagement strategist, will speak about the positive impacts of more people falling in love with a place.

“People who legitimately love their cities often will do amazing things,” Kageyama said. “When you love something, you’ll go above and beyond for it. You’ll forgive its shortcomings, and you’ll fight for it. People who love their cities will do all of those things.”

Creating a set of conditions where love is more likely to happen is essential for economic development agencies as they consider the idea of placemaking to attract businesses, said Kageyama author of “For the Love of Cities: The Love Affair Between People and Their Places” and the follow up, “Love Where You Live: Creating Emotionally Engaging Places.”

“Economic development has really changed in the last decade,” Kageyama said. “In the past, it’s always been about the deal—the tax incentives, the land, the transportation, the infrastructure needs and costs, the impact. Now, it’s changing; it’s adding quality placemaking.”

Cultivating a culture and community of people who love their city can make the difference when it comes to luring businesses that may be considering multiple locations, Kageyama said.

“You’ve got land, you’ve got a tax incentive, you’ve got a deal forming on the table, but, so does this other city, so does that city,” Kageyama said. “What’s the case that’s going to sway the decision? I think it’s the question of ‘would you like to live there?’”

The idea of placemaking can also be impactful to tourism agencies as well, Kageyama said.

“Tourism is now also recognizing that they’re also in the economic development game and that they’re also part of the placemaking conversation,” Kageyama said.

Placemaking is becoming part of the conversation for these two types of organizations that used to be very outward facing, Kageyama added. These organizations now must start facing inward.

“You make a great place for your locals, by default you’re making a great place for tourists,” Kageyama said. “If you make a great city for your local businesses and your local citizens, then you’re making a great place that other businesses will legitimately go ‘That looks great. How do we get some of that?’”

To learn more about placemaking and emotionally engaging cities, register at www.nvedc.com. This event is recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as a professional development event that counts towards the recertification of Certified Economic Developers (CECDs).

Tracks for the Nevada Economic Development Conference Tuesday, Aug. 21 and Wednesday, Aug. 22, include Agribusiness, Economic Development, Manufacturing, Transportation/Infrastructure and Workforce Development. The $200 cost includes opening sessions, lunch with keynote speakers and Exhibit Hall Reception. A one-day conference pass is $150.

A Pre-Conference Tour and workshop, Connecting Nevada to the Global Economy, on Aug. 20 will visit the SWITCH facility located at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center. Following the tour will be an important look at the status of Nevada’s broadband network and its ability to drive and support economic development for Nevada communities. It is presented by the Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology. There is a separate registration fee of $100 for this portion of the conference which includes lunch and transportation.

About the Connecting Nevada for a Stronger Economy Conference

The Fourth Annual Nevada Economic Development Conference will explore the ideas, programs and business connections that are defining the new Nevada economy from Aug. 20-22, 2018 at the Atlantis Casino & Resort in Reno, NV. The multi-track conference is presented by the Western Nevada Development District. “Connecting Nevada for a Stronger Economy” will provide opportunities for a broad section of professionals to present and share what is happening in a dynamic, changing Nevada economy For more information and registration, log on to www.nvedc.com.