What does it take for a community to make the right impression during a company site visit?
In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise talks with Nicholette Ross, a principal at Global Location Strategies, about what companies and site selection consultants are really looking for when they visit a community.
Nicolette explains why preparation starts long before the visit, from validating infrastructure and workforce information to making sure local leaders understand the project and can communicate effectively.
The conversation also covers confidentiality, engaging local employers, managing community perceptions, and avoiding mistakes that can unintentionally hurt a project. Sometimes, competence and preparation matter far more than putting on a polished show.
A key takeaway? Be prepared, be honest, understand the project, and have a plan for what happens after the site visit.
Key Takeaways
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Understand what the company is actually looking for.
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Validate baseline information before the visit.
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Make sure community leaders understand the project.
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Protect confidentiality throughout the process.
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Prepare local employers and stakeholders carefully.
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Distinguish between fatal flaws and simple preferences.
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Respond quickly and effectively after the visit.
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Competence and preparation matter more than over-staging.
Key Topics Covered
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What companies look for during site visits
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Pre-visit preparation and project objectives
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Infrastructure and workforce assessment
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Community readiness and stakeholder coordination
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Confidentiality best practices
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Engaging local employers
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Common site visit misconceptions
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Fatal flaws vs. preferences
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Hotel, restaurant, and drive-by tours
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Post-visit responsiveness
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Common mistakes communities make
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Managing presentations, tours, and meetings
Sound Bites
“Be prepared, rehearse, and have a plan.”
“Competence is much more impressive than polish.”
“Sometimes the things you don’t say are just as important as the things you do.”