Training Workshop 1:
Using Local Employment Dynamics for Economic & Workforce Development
Room: Grand Ballroom A/B

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Training Workshop 2:
Conducting Workforce Studies & Using Real-time LMI in Research
Room: Grand Ballroom A/B

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State Economic Researchers' Roundtable
Room: Centennial Ballroom 1

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Regional Economic Researchers' Roundtable
Room: Centennial Ballroom 3

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Cost of Living Index Update and Planning Session
(Invitation Only for COLI Data Collectors)
Room: Centennial Ballroom 2

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C2ER Member Networking

Introduction and Keynote Address
Room: Grand Ballroom
Introduction: John Helms, Chair, C2ER Board
 
Keynote Address: Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett

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Economic Outlook:
Room: Grand Ballroom

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Networking Break

Breakout sessions:
(1) Research Leadership; (2) Research Practice;
(3) LMI Research

1. Research Leadership — Move It or Lose It: Measuring Your Region's Transportation Strengths
   Room: Centennial Ballroom 1

   Moderator:

   Marty Romitti, Director of Economic and Public Policy Research, UMass Donahue Institute

   Panelists:

   Terry Clower, Director, University of North Texas, Center for Economic Development and Research

   Alan Spell, Economic & Workforce Research Manager, Missouri Department of Economic Development

   Billy Leung, Vice President, Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI)

   
   Getting from here to there is a prime concern for most businesses. But what is it that site selectors want to see when gauging the transportation networks of different regions? What makes a region's transportation network "world class"? This session looks at key transportation needs of different industries and the ways researchers can measure and present these assets.
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2. Research Practice — What's the Best Use of $1,000 to Purchase Data/Research?
   Room: Centennial Ballroom 2

   Facilitators:

   James Futrell, VP Market Research, Pittsburgh Regional Alliance

   Eric Simundza, Product Manager, GIS Planning

   
   Research budgets are always tight and it is important to leverage limited resources to their maximum. This interactive session will take a look at some of the best resources available for those on a shoestring budget.
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3. LMI Research — Addressing the Skills Gap: Is the Worker Shortage Real?
   Room: Centennial Ballroom 3

   Moderator:

   Rebecca Rust, Labor Market Statistics Director, Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation

   Speaker:

   Steve Hine, Research Director, Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development

   
   It is commonly accepted that the U.S. suffers from a gap between the skills of its workers and those required for its jobs. But, is that true? This session will explore what we know about skills gaps, what we don't know, how we know, and what more we need to know.
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Dutch Treat Networking Happy Hour

Welcome Back and Plenary Presentation
Room: Grand Ballroom
Organizing for Advocacy: Making the Case for Regional Economic Statistics

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Research Question of the Day: "What is the Best Free Data and Why?"

Breakout sessions:

1. Research Leadership — What Are 20 Indicators Everyone Should Know?
   Room: Centennial Ballroom 1

   Speakers:

   Patrick Jankowski, Vice President, Research, Greater Houston Partnership

   Jenny Hsu, Manager, Research, Greater Houston Partnership

   Sara Rutledge, Senior Analyst, INVESCO Real Estate

   
   Data, data everywhere: The amount of data available, much of it free, can overwhelm even the most diligent of researchers. So, what's really important? What's accessible? Which sources can be used to tell the best story about your region? Join three seasoned researchers in reviewing which indicators they monitor to understand local market and economic trends.
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2. Research Practice — Getting Organized to Optimize Your Data Storage, Web Presence, and "The Cloud"
   Room: Centennial Ballroom 2

   Facilitator:

   Marlena Bandurski, Manager of Economic Research, Greater Des Moines Partnership

   Panelist:

   Lisa Franklin, Manager, Economic Development, KCP&L

   
   Researchers are increasingly managing vast quantities of information while supporting our organizations' presence on the web. In this roundtable discussion, participants will share creative ideas they have implemented or are exploring to tame data access issues and better manage their workload.
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3. LMI Research — Business Relocation and Expansion Decisions: What Data Do Businesses Need, What Data Sources Do They Use?
   Room: Centennial Ballroom 3

   Speakers:

   Meihui Bodane, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, NC Department of Commerce

   Joe Ward, Information Center Manager, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce

   Ann Miller, Director of Marketing and Research, Ada Works

   
   This session will focus on the workforce information businesses need in making location and expansion decisions. How well can we show the availability of the particular kinds of workers new or expanding businesses are looking for? Non-traditional data sources as well as non-traditional uses of regular sources will be reviewed.
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4. Triple Bottom Line Tool - Feedback Session #1 - By Invitation
   Room: W.B. Skirvin Suite

   Facilitator:

   Janet Hammer, PhD, Director, The Initiative on Triple Bottom Line Development, College of Urban and Public Affairs, Portland State University

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Networking Break

Breakout sessions:

1. Research Leadership — Energy and Its Role in Regional and Community Development
   Room: Centennial Ballroom 1

   Moderator:

   Patricia Silverstein, President, Development Research Partners

   Speakers:

   James Roller, Manager of Corporate Development and Government Relations, Chesapeake Energy Corporation

   Jesse Silverstein, Executive Director, Colorado Brownfields Foundation

   
   We all expect the lights to go on when we flip the switch, so we know the importance of energy. But, the energy industry can have larger impacts in our communities, from providing new construction, manufacturing, and research jobs to serving as a catalyst in community (re)development efforts. This session will discuss the many measurable and qualitative benefits of the energy industry in our communities.
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2. Research Practice — What is the Best Free Data?
   Room: Centennial Ballroom 2

   Facilitator:

   Tom Tveidt, Research Economist, SYNEVA Economics

   
   Discovered a new source for free data? What about a seldom used Federal dataset? Found a research use for social media? How about an innovative way to use one of the old standbys? Join us to share your discoveries and learn from others about some of the best free data out there. Participants are guaranteed to learn something new.
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3. LMI Research — National Metrics for ACT Certified Work Ready Communities
   Room: Centennial Ballroom 3

   Moderator:

   Joe Ward, Information Center Manager, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce

   Speakers:

   Erina Green, Data Analyst, ACT, Inc.

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4. Triple Bottom Line Tool - Feedback Session #2 - By Invitation
   Room: W.B. Skirvin Suite

   Facilitator:

   Janet Hammer, PhD, Director, The Initiative on Triple Bottom Line Development, College of Urban and Public Affairs, Portland State University

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Keynote and Recognition Luncheon
Grand Ballroom
Awards Program

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The Decision Makers – Data as a Foundation for Action

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Breakout sessions:

• Track 1 — Career Skills Identification and Forecasting Tools
  Room: Centennial Ballroom 1

  2:00-3:15: Strategic Planning Applications for Labor Market Information

  Presenters:

  Chris Aberle, Customer Service Representative, EMSI (Economic Modeling Specialists Int.)

  Deidre Myers, Director, Research & Economic Analysis, Oklahoma Department of Commerce

  
  Rapid economic change often necessitates revisions to existing long-term plans. Timely and flexible data is a key component of this process. This session will highlight two uses of labor market data for strategic planning in the state of Oklahoma. We will first look at the Department of Commerce's extensive use of EMSI's labor market and input-output data as they developed targeted industry clusters at the state level. We will then turn to the production of timely, geographically precise targeted industry lists for workforce development planning. Methods for reproducing similar analyses will be demonstrated throughout using EMSI's Analyst product.
  Sponsored by EMSI

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• Track 2 — Supporting Business Development Research
  Room: Centennial Ballroom 2

  2:00-3:15: Policy Analysis Tools to Support Business Development

  Presenters:

  Chris Cook, Assistant Economist, REMI (Regional Economic Models, Inc.)

  Alex Forrest, Assistant Planner, REMI (Regional Economic Models, Inc.)

  
  REMI will discuss examples of strategies to incentivize business development of key industries in regions across Oklahoma. We will evaluate the role of land-use regulations, tax-credit programs, and transportation investments in coordination with strategies for urbanization and redevelopment.
  Sponsored by REMI

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• Track 3 — Responding to Data Needs
  Room: Centennial Ballroom 3

  2:00-2:40: Understanding Data Users

  Presenter:

  Gary Crossley, Executive Director, Workforce Information Council, South Carolina

  
  During the past year, the Workforce Information Council, representing BLS and the state Labor Market Information Agencies, have been focused on better understanding data users and identifying approaches to improving the responsiveness of public data to user needs. This session focuses on the findings from that research and the efforts underway to gain additional feedback from labor market data users on their needs.

  2:40-3:15: Innovations in the State and Local Projections Process

  Presenter:

  Alexandra Hall, LMI Director, Colorado Dept. of Labor & Employment

  
  A consortium of state labor market information agencies, the Projections Managing Partnership, has been working to improve the quality and accessibility of state and local employment projections. This session offers an opportunity to learn more about this effort and how users will benefit from recent public investments.

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• Track 4 — Data Innovations
  Room: Crystal Room

  2:00-2:40: Technology Innovations to Support Data Dissemination

  Presenter:

  Tim Duffy, Central Regional Manager, Geographic Solutions

  
  Recent information technology innovations are changing the way data users receive data in more compelling and impactful forms, using infographics, data visualizations, and a variety of related web tools.
  Sponsored by Geographic Solutions.

  2:40-3:15: Business Intelligence to Support Economic and Workforce Development

  Presenter:

  Scott Lea, Account Executive, Infogroup

  
  Business listings are critical as a foundation for market intelligence gathering, but they are only the beginning of the process for understanding company needs. Increasingly, data mining tools are provide unusual insights into company competitive performance.
  Sponsored by InfoGroup.

  Details

Break

Breakout sessions:

• Track 1 — Career Skills Identification and Forecasting Tools
  Room: Centennial Ballroom 1

  3:45-5:00: Identifying Corporate Skill and Certification Requirements

  Presenters:

  Erica Dickinson, Product Specialist, Burning Glass

  Yustina Saleh, Director of Analytics & Strategic Research, Burning Glass

  
  New real-time data tools are available to help economic and workforce developers better understand business demands for skills and industry-recognized certifications.
  Sponsored by Burning Glass

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• Track 2 — Supporting Business Development Research
  Room: Centennial Ballroom 2

  3:45-4:25: Identifying Industry Targets

  Presenters:

  Tim Gray, Government Customer Manager, Dun & Bradstreet

  Chip Rogers, Director, Business Development, Dun & Bradstreet

  
  Business databases and supporting intelligence systems are increasingly important in helping economic and workforce developers to target companies for assistance.
  Sponsored by Dun & Bradstreet

  4:25-5:00: Regional Cluster Mapping Makes Industry Targeting Simple

  Presenter:

  Samantha Zyontz, Research Manager, Institute for Strategy & Competitiveness, Harvard Business School

  
  The Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School has created a mapping tool for quickly summarizing key economic clusters in U.S. Regions.

  Details

• Track 3 — Responding to Data Needs
  Room: Centennial Ballroom 3

  3:45-4:25: Integrated Economic and Demographic Profiles at Your Fingertips

  Presenter:

  Timothy Slaper, Director of Economic Analysis, Indiana Business Research Center

  
  Stats America, created by the Indiana Business and Research Center at Indiana University provides quick access to county and regional demographic/economic profiles.

  4:25-5:00: Tracking Business Dynamics

  Presenter:

  Dave Talan, Branch Chief, Business Employment Dynamics, Bureau of Labor Statistics

  
  BLS is generating data on job losses and gains and is conducting research on employment by type of firm. These data provide new insights into the function of the labor market.
  Sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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• Track 4 — Data Innovations
  Room: Crystal Room

  3:45-4:25: Do You Want An App for That?

  Presenter:

  Clark Smith, LocationOne Information Systems

  
  This session will demonstrate how LocationOne Information System (LOIS), a national economic development property database application, can be applied for demographic analysis and other research, including twelve demographic reports generated by ESRI. Participants need not be a LOIS subscriber to get the app. Presenters will also discuss other ways that your organization can create its own apps.
  Sponsored by LocationOne.

  4:25-5:00: Using the Regional Input-Output Modeling System (RIMS II)

  Presenter:

  Ian Mead, Ph.D., Chief, Regional Product Division, Bureau of Economic Analysis

  
  BEA has focused on improving the information available on RIMS II best practices to help analysts make informed decisions when conducting economic impact studies. This session will highlight case studies developed for the forthcoming RIMS II User's Guide.
  Sponsored by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

  Details

Reception Co-Sponsored by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber & Tulsa Metro Chamber
Oklahoma History Center (bus transportation provided)

Breakfast:
C2ER Membership Business Meeting
Room: Venetian 14th Floor

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Breakout Roundtables: Peer-Led Facilitated Discussion Sessions

1. Research Leadership Exchange — Social Media as a Research Tool
   Room: Centennial Ballroom 1

   Facilitator:

   Deidre Myers, Director, Research & Economic Analysis, Oklahoma Department of Commerce

   
   Communicating with clients and stakeholders is changing dramatically. Furthermore, interacting with your network is also changing. Groups are forming in virtual space that have insights about the industries that you are targeting, that have expertise in market intelligence gathering, and that can be helpful in the day-to-day support of your job. Which ones are the most valuable? How do you narrow your focus? How do you judge what is fact and what is public relations spin? This will be a collaborative conversation in which we learn from one another and share our tips.
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2. Research Practice Exchange — Data on Infrastructure and Energy
   Room: Centennial Ballroom 2

   Facilitator:

   Jennifer Zeller, Director of Research, Georgia Power Company

   
   Many major projects need more improved GIS representations of infrastructure investments, including broadband, airports, and roadways. Many other projects are seeking to better understand the region's energy capacity and cost structure as well as the requirements for renewable resources. During this discussion, participants will consider trends in the requests for information that they receive and share how they are responding to these tough questions. What resources are you able to leverage and what data sources are proving most valuable?
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3. Resource Tool Exchange — Key Workforce Challenges
   Room: Centennial Ballroom 3

   Facilitator:

   Graham Slater, Administrator for Research, Oregon Employment Department

   
   Analysts are constantly bombarded with data and information. How can we turn raw data into focused, relevant decision making tools for policymakers, legislators, business leaders, workforce boards, and other important customers? This session will discuss strategies for creating relevant and interesting information briefs that meet the needs of workforce decision makers.
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Networking Break

Plenary Session:
Regional Socioeconomic Statistics Update
Room: Grand Ballroom

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Conference Adjourns