Regional talent strategy update part of Nov 13 Workforce Solutions Summit

Drew Conrad to deliver keynote on progress made, next steps for Momentum West Talent Initiative​

Drew Conrad, Institute for Decision Making

​​Organizers of the 2nd Annual Workforce Solutions Summit have announced that Drew Conrad, one of the authors of Momentum West's Talent Retention & Attraction Strategic Action Plan, will deliver one of the event's keynote addresses. Conrad's remarks will focus on progress made in the past three years since release of the plan, and next steps towards measurable solutions to the region's workforce challenges.  The Action Plan was developed to identify the critical workforce issues for Momentum West's 10-county region in West Central Wisconsin, and recommend achievable steps to address them.

Conrad is Director of the Institute for Decision Making, based at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.  He has over 26 years of experience in facilitating strategic planning and regional economic research in communities and local and regional economic development organizations.  He designs, delivers and provides follow-up support for economic development services including strategic and short-term planning, community assessments, cluster analysis and target industry analysis and other applied research projects.  

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Authors of the Action Plan identified eight key goals for the region, centering on strategies to expand the talent pool and improve the labor market: 

In his remarks at the Workforce Solutions Summit, Conrad will provide updated regional data, discuss progress made on the goals, and identify next steps critical to ensuring the region is competitive in solving its workforce challenges. In addition to the keynote scheduled during the morning session, there will also be a break out workshop during the afternoon, "Updating and accomplishing our regional strategy," which will delve deeper into implementing those measures. It will also feature a case study of an active, collaborative health care initiative in the region that is aligned with talent strategy.

Drew Conrad's keynote remarks are presented thanks to Xcel Energy. 

Summit keynotes will also be delivered by Ted Abernathy of Economic Leadership LLC, “The Trends Transforming Our Workforce Future,” Jim Morgan, MRA, "The new realities of attraction and retention - We can't do things the old way anymore," and Wes Escondo,  "Employee Retention: Work, Play and Stay in the Chippewa Valley."​

Click here for full details on the Nov 13 Workforce Solutions Summit, including registration information.

Full event sponsors include the Marshfield Clinic, Momentum West, MRA, the Pablo Center at the Confluence, Prevea, Royal Credit Union, Xcel Enegy, and the Chamber's Employers Workforce Initiative.

Posted by Scott Rogers, Governmental Affairs & Workforce Director
rogers@eauclairechamber.org

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