Root County Economic Summit talks about banking, green businesses and more

For the past 29 years, the Root County Economic Summit has provided a forum for community members to listen to industry leaders, learn about trends and strategies, and focus on opportunities and issues facing local and regional economies.

“This event has a long history,” said John Bristol, executive director of the Routt County Economic Development Partnership. “It’s a premier event for civic, private business and any community leaders to come together to really see and learn about the economy and what’s happening and where we’re going. It’s a great place to do that. “

Bristol This year’s summit, which kicks off on May 12 at Colorado Mountain College, will focus on issues of concern to community leaders and businesses from Craig to Clark and Steamboat to South Root. Bristol said this year’s event will have several highlights, including panels on green business, banking and lending, and legal reform from Jennifer Cassell, a public affairs partner at Bowditch & Cassell.

This year’s keynote speakers, Katie Brown and Julie Germond from Steamboat Resort, will present “Leading Through Change: Lessons from Steamboat Resort.” The two will talk about Steamboat resort leadership through changes as the ski area undergoes a $220 million base area redevelopment and mountain improvement project.

The Routt County Economic Development Partnership and Steamboat Chamber, as well as Colorado Mountain College and several other sponsors, teamed up to bring the economic summit to town.

“We’re really lucky to have CMC host it there again this year,” Bristol said. “The college has been and continues to be a really strong partner, and it’s going to be a great event.”

Before the conference opens, talks are planned with registration, coffee and networking, and economic reform by Greg Totten, an economist with the Colorado State Office of Demography.

“The Economic Summit always brings the latest information on the economy at the local, regional and even national level. Greg Totten is an economist at the State Demographer’s Office, and he’s joining us on economic reform,” Bristol said. “We always have top economists who talk for half an hour to 45 minutes on the data, and there are frames like that on the day.”

Bristol at 9:15 a.m. A panel moderated by Paul Bonney, director of energy and transportation for the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council, and Ashley Dean, manager of collaborative initiatives with the Sustainability Council, to discuss green business and the potential changes Root County’s Climate Action Plan can make to local businesses.

Adona Allen from Alpine Bank joins Adam Wilson from Vectra Bank and Cole Hewitt from Yampa Valley Bank to moderate a discussion about what is happening in the banking industry due to the collapse of Silicon Valley and signature banks.

“With everything that’s happened in the banking sector in the last month and a half, it’s going to be a very interesting conversation — and to have it around here,” Bristol said. It will be a conversation where many people will be excited to listen and hear what local bankers have to say.

Other openings include Child Care Workforce Solutions, led by City of Steamboat Springs Recreation Manager Alexis Wolff, and Megan Franz, Program Leader at First Impressions.

Tickets are still available for the 2023 Root County Economic Summit.. Chamber member rates are $80 and $100 through May 4. On May 5, tickets will increase from $10 to $90 for members and $110 for non-members.

“It’s really exciting that people have that space to have those conversations,” Bristol said. “I think ultimately, and I’ve seen this in my mind here for years, this event will constantly drive conversations. For the next several months, you’ll go to meetings or other things and people will mention the economic summit… I think it’s good to give that platform to inform and influence.

John F. Russell is a business reporter at Steamboat Pilot & Today. To reach him, call 970-871-4209, email jrussell@SteamboatPilot.com or follow him on Twitter @Framp1966.