Vinson Institute Wraps Up Its Facilitation of Statewide Economic Competitiveness Forums
In an effort to maintain and strengthen Georgia's attractiveness to business and industry, the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce held Georgia Competitiveness Initiative forums throughout the state to listen to business leaders. The Vinson Institute was called on to facilitate the forums after Gov. Nathan Deal launched the Initiative in April 2011. The final forum took place in West Point, Georgia, on August 31.
The forums were held weekly beginning on June 23 in 12 regions from Rome to Savannah. Business leaders and other members of the public attended the meetings to give their opinions about how to improve the state's business climate.
A total of over 2,000 people attended the 12 Competitiveness forums across Georgia.
At each regional forum, the Institute facilitated "real-time" surveys during which attendees used remote-controlled input devices to answer questions about how best to improve business climate, education and workforce development, innovation, infrastructure, international opportunity and growth, and government efficiency and effectiveness.
Forum attendees were then encouraged to voice their specific ideas about improving Georgia's business climate both during the meeting and at smaller breakout sessions for more in-depth conversations.
The final report of the Georgia Competitiveness Initiative will be released in the fall, and then a long-term strategy for economic development will be formulated.
Leaders throughout the state seek out the Vinson Institute's government assistance experts to provide practical, objective, and customized assistance, such as specialized meetings facilitation, to help them improve operations and plan effectively for the future.
