Issues Series
The Leadership Development Issues Series is a community leadership development program designed to inform Upstate citizens about a specific issue and to provide them the opportunity to examine all sides of that issue. Citizens can then determine if action is needed, and they have a foundation on which to act.
Topics are selected based upon current issues impacting the community. See below for past series and topics.
Mission: Bring a comprehensive perspective of emerging issues to Upstate leaders for the purpose of exposing, enlightening, educating, stimulating, and providing insight so as to encourage action, response and support for productive leadership.
Past Series:
2009: Upstate Together: Creating Our Place in the New Economic Environment
2008: Reaching for Greatness
2007: Are We a Competitive Force?
2006: Small World, Big Future
2005: Grow by Choice or Chance
Contacts:
Information: Sandi Coan (864-239-3723)
Attendance: TBD
Involvement: Bryan Finch
Sponsorships: Gable Stubbs
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2009: Upstate Together: Creating Our Place in the New Economic Environment
Are you tired of all the negative recessionary news? How has the Upstate's
competitive position been impacted? Will the landscape of the United States
change as we recover from this economic period? What competitive factors should
Upstate leaders be most focused on? Are there ways to enhance the Upstate South
Carolina Region’s economic position long term?
If you answered YES or are intrigued by any of these questions, then you are cordially invited to the 2009 Issues Series Event!
Speakers for this event will include: Carol Coletta, president of CEO for Cities; Dr. Bruce Yandle, professor and dean emeritus – Clemson University College of Business & Behavior Science; Ted Abernathy, president of the Southern Growth Policies Board and other economic development professionals.
Where: Carolina First Center – Greenville, SC
When: November 12, 2009
Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Reception Immediately Following the Program
Planning Committee:
Bryan Finch, Chair
Robert Alexander
Bruce Cannon
Sandi Coan
David Cordeau
Bill Ellis
Allen Hamada
Adam Landrum
Steve Ludke
Jennifer Miller
Judith Prince
Tiffany Santagati
Susan Schwartzkopf-Deane
Russell Stall
Gable Stubbs
Irv Welling
Frank Wingate
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2008: Reaching for Greatness
Guest speaker: Rosabeth Moss Kanter
Issue addressed: What shift is necessary for the Upstate to “leap” forward as a region? Such a leap requires a fundamental shift in the way that we think and interact with one another.
Event Sponsors: USC Upstate, Michelin, The Greenville News, New Carolina, AT&T, Duke Power, Embassy Suites, Greenville Technical College, McNair Law Firm, Palmetto Bank, Spartanburg Community College
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2007: Are We a Competitive Force?
Panel: Randal Kempner and Jim Clinton
Moderator: Hal Johnson
Issue addressed: The need for a world-class sustainable workforce.
Event sponsors: USC Upstate, The Greenville News, AT&T, Duke Energy, New Carolina, Greenville County Workforce Investment Board, Ferebee Lane, American Services, Greenville Area Development Corporation, Greenville Technical College, Greenville Hospital System, Palmetto Bank, Spartanburg Community College, Trehel Corporation
Click here for resources.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2006: Small World, Big Future
Guest speaker: Erik Peterson
Panel: Dr. Andrew Sorensen, Sky Foster, Bern McPheely
Moderator: Honorable William Barnet, III
Issue addressed: Globalization and engaging the world, the Upstate and you in it.
Event sponsors: BellSouth, BMW, Duke Energy, The Greenville News
Click here for resources.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2005: Grow by Choice or Chance
Guest speakers: Gianni Longo, Jamie Greene and Barry Nocks
Panel: Steve Pelissier, Hal Johnson, Eddie Nail, Brad Wyche
Issue addressed: Regionalism
Event sponsors: USC Upstate, BellSouth, The Greenville News, Copia Designs, Upstate Forever, Gallivan White & Boyd, Ogletree Deakins
Click here for resources.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Workforce:
Conference Report: Are We a Competitive Force?
readySC – state workforce training program
Globalization:
Seven Revolutions Initiative
International Center of the Upstate
Regionalism:
Conference Report: Grow by Choice or Change
Upstate Together - regional planning organization
Upstate SC Alliance - regional economic development
Upstate Forever – regional environmental organization
Upstate Reality Check - regional visioning process
I Was Blown Away – regional marketing campaign

