Economic Vitality Committee Agenda and Packet 2022 02 18

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Cityof ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE Louisville COLORADO -SINCE 1878 SUBJECT: DISCUSSION/DIRECTION- STRATEGIC PLAN ACTION #2-6: HOST ANNUAL (OR SEMI-ANNUAL) BUSINESS FORUM TO GATHER ALL STAKEHOLDERS, REVIEW CITY PRIORITIES, AND GATHER FEEDBACK DATE: FEBRUARY 18, 2022 PRESENTED BY: AUSTIN BROWN, ECONOMIC VITALITY SPECIALIST SUMMARY: The Economic Vitality Strategic Plan contains Action #2-6: "Host annual (or semi- annual) Business Forum to gather all stakeholders, review City priorities, and gather feedback." This Action was scheduled to start in March 2022. DISCUSSION: The City of Louisville hosted two business forums in 2018 and one in 2019. An annual (or semi-annual) Business Forum is included within the Economic Vitality Strategic Plan. Staff heard from members of the business community that previous iterations of the Business Forum were quite valuable for those who attended. The intended scheduling of this event has been impacted numerous times by the COVID-19 pandemic. After discussion with the EVC, staff is exploring the option of hosting a Business Forum in late March or early April 2022. Staff recommends a morning meeting which will include members of the EVC, members of City Council, and local business leaders. Staff suggests the event will include a half hour of networking, a light breakfast and refreshments, and a short presentation by a subject matter expert on a topic(s) of choice. The last Forum event included a presentation from Dr. Wobbekind of the Leeds School of Business @ CU. So it is possible to recruit an outside speaker in that manner, or look to local business leaders to be more the hosts and participants of the event. Staff is exploring several options to host the Forum at a local business —probably a primary employer in the Colorado Technology Center that has the capacity for a gathering that respects COVID protocols. Staff toured the Allen Company facility, located at 609 South 104t" Street, and has tentatively reserved the space for Wednesday March 30 and Tuesday April 19. The City will provide the food and drinks from local businesses. Staff hopes to stream and/or record the presentation portion so that those who are not able to attend the event in person will still have the ability to participate in the discussion. Staff will communicate with both the Louisville Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Association on topics. These organizations will help announce and promote the event to the business community. Staff is also exploring the option of sending out an a -blast to identify topics of interest within the business community. Businesses attending this year's forum will also be able to communicate their interest in Agenda Packet P. 6