Series of luncheons to focus on issues affecting Owensboro region’s economy

First event Feb. 21 at Commerce Center

OWENSBORO, Ky. (Feb. 1, 2013) — A series of Economic Development Showcase luncheons will focus on timely topics impacting the economy of the Owensboro region, the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. (EDC) announced this week.

The first Showcase event of 2013, sponsored by EM Ford & Money Concepts, will feature Dean Dennis, general manager of the Owensboro Convention Center, discussing the importance of the new facility on the Owensboro economy. The luncheon is set for Feb. 21 at noon on the third floor of the Commerce Center. Box lunches will be served.

The EDC will begin coordinating the Showcases, which began last year as Business and Industry Showcase by the Region of Opportunity Team from the We the People. Ed Allen, chair of the We the People committee, said the transfer of the program to the EDC is a natural progression of involving a wider public.

“The Business and Industry Showcases attracted a large crowd at each of the five sessions last year,” Allen said.

The Economic Development Showcase is a direct outgrowth of the public process used by the We the People group, which made many contributions to the community over the past several years, said EDC Board Chair Fed May.

The sessions will offer comprehensive insight into the strategies and ideas of modern economic development, as well as a peek inside several local businesses. Participants will get a behind-the-scenes view of the economic development process, dialogue with leaders from local businesses about the regional economy.

In addition to the February session, other Economic Development Showcase luncheons will be March 21, May 9, June 11, Aug. 15 and Nov. 14.  All programs will begin at noon and last approximately an hour, with a box lunch provided at no cost to attendees. Sessions will be conducted on the third floor training room of the Commerce Center, 200 East Third Street in downtown Owensboro.

To make reservations for the Feb. 21 event, contact Jessica Boarman at the EDC at (270) 926-4339 or email at [email protected].