“The Site Selectors Guild’s primary mission is to present relevant content while providing countless opportunities to establish new relationships”
We’re thrilled to share highlights from our incredible 2024 Fall Forum held in the vibrant city of Detroit, Michigan. Thanks to our gracious host sponsor, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the support of our Guild Partners and sponsors, this year’s event was a resounding success. The forum brought together 222 attendees from 29 domestic and international guild members, creating a diverse and dynamic atmosphere for learning and networking.
Our packed agenda featured 10 educational breakout sessions covering increasingly relevant topics like migration and placemaking, AI in site selection, marketing best practices, and the value of site readiness. We were also treated to three inspiring Guild Talks: Rajeev Thakur discussed housing as a force of economic development, Mark Williams shared insights on what site selection clients really want, and Courtney Dunbar explored proactive versus reactive economic development approaches.
The event was graced by special guests who added tremendous value to our discussions. Governor Whitmer encouraged continued investment in Michigan, while Lt. Governor Gilchrist’s enthusiasm for state initiatives was truly contagious. We were also honored to have award-winning journalist Scott Cohn, special correspondent for CNBC, who shared perspectives on America’s Top States for Doing Business.
Our program included a thought-provoking plenary session on navigating the increasing challenges of geo-political risk in FDI, expertly led by Dennis Meseroll and Andy Shapiro. We explored the future of EV projects in a general session and benefited from an insightful case study presented by Jeanette Goldsmith with her client, Eastman Chemical.
The Site Selectors Guild’s primary mission is to present relevant content while providing countless opportunities to establish new relationships and enhance existing ones. We sincerely hope that those who attended found great value in the event. If you missed the Fall Forum, we encourage you to plan for our next gathering – it’s an experience you won’t want to miss! We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Fall Forum Planning Committee – Larry Moretti, Kim Williams-Davis, Bob Hess, Alexandra Segers, Natalie Lynch, Dennis Donovan – and our Board of Directors for their invaluable help and support in making this event a great success.
Sincerely,
Leslie Wagner
2024 Fall Forum Committee Chair