Past Events

DATE

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the inaugural State of the Region — a landmark gathering of regional leaders, mayors, and partners united by a shared vision for the MidSouth’s future. Our keynote speakers, Dr. Jim Johnson and Chris Mefford, challenged us to look at the MidSouth through both data and opportunity: who we are today, how we’re changing, and what it will take to grow together.

Speakers Included:

Dr. Jim Johnson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, “Winning the War for Talent”

Presentation Slides Upon Request

Chris Mefford, Community Attributes Inc., “MidSouth Employment Forecast”

Presentation Slides

Anna McQuiston, MidSouth Development District, “Building One Regional Team”

Presentation Slides

Audio Recording

October 25, 2024

Speakers included:

Sly James & Joni Wickham, Wickham James Strategies & Solutions, “What If..”

Video Presentation

Presentation Slides

Dr. Jim Johnson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, “Warning: Gale Force Demographic Wind Gusts Ahead!”

Video Presentation

Presentation Slides

Mary Beth Hudson, “The Transformation of Manufacturing”

Video Presentation

Presentation Slides

Lilian Roth, JobsFirstNYC’s, “Collaborating for Impact: JobsFirstNYC’s Partnership-Driven Approach”

Video Presentation

Presentation Slides

Fireside Chat: “Ag Innovation” with: Tom Womack, AgLaunch & Marcie Lawson, Sikeston Chamber, Economic Development and Tourism

Video Presentation

Presentation Slides

Panel Discussion: “Best Practices of Regionalism” with: Erich Zimmerman, National Association of Regional Councils / Amanda Graor, Mid-America Regional Council in Kansas City / William Murdock, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

Video Presentation

March 29, 2019

Disruptive Demographics, Vulnerable Populations, and City Competiveness with Dr. Jim Johnson

Video Presentation

April 26, 2018

Speakers included:

Ed McMahon, ULI
Video Presentation

Lynn Ross, Spirit for Change Consulting, LLC, “The Power of the Commons”
Video Presentation

John Hope Bryant, Operation HOPE, Inc., “The Memo”
Video Presentation

February 13, 2018

Dr. James Johnson, University of North Carolina, “Six Disruptive Demographics That Will Change America Forever”
Video Presentation

April 27, 2017

Speakers included:

Peter Kageyama, “For Love of the Cities”
Video Presentation

Kevin Woods & Patrick Johnston, “Memphis: A Workforce Under Construction”
Video Presentation

Mayor Joe Riley, Charleston, SC, “Urbanism in the 21st Century”
Video Presentation

Michael Randle, “Manufacturing Rules in the American South”
Video Presentation

Paulo Nunes-Ueno, “Can We Get There? Regional Transportation Coordination”
Video Presentation

Ellen Dunham-Jones, “Retrofitting Suburbia for 21st Century Challenges”
Video Presentation

Mitchell Silver, “The Value of Regional Planning”
Video Presentation

April 28, 2016

Speakers included:

Dr. James Johnson, University of North Carolina, “Disruptive Demographics: Implications for Workforce, Planning & Development in the Mid-South”
Video Presentation

Glen Fenter, “Workforce Development in the Mid-South”
Video Presentation

Emily DeRocco, “Talent Will Be the Memphis Magic!”
Video Presentation

Richard Smith, Why the Mid-South Must Collaborate”
Video Presentation

Matt Chase, “National Trends: Lead or Be Left Behind”
Video Presentation

Michael Banner, “Turn Up the HEET: Housing, Education, Economic Development & Transportation”
Video Presentation

Bridgett Massengill, “Accessing the Assets: Transforming the Transportation Conversation”
Video Presentation

Tom Murphy, “The Power of Regional Collaboration”
Video Presentation