2021 Economic Summit

We welcome you to join us for the 2021 Economic Summit presented by the Tompkins Chamber and Ithaca Area Economic Development.

The Annual Economic Summit provides a snapshot of the local economy, highlighting recent projects and accomplishments of our local business community, and providing perspective from local business leaders about the state of our economy. The event will include thoughtful presentations regarding key local issues and policy affecting the business community, as well as an overview of challenges and opportunities for business and job growth in Tompkins County. 

This year we will focus on significant accomplishments from 2020 as our community navigated the public health and economic crises, our shared goals for a sustainable economic recovery, and offer sessions with presentations from area leaders on workforce conditions and needs, our tourism economy, downtown revitalization, and more.

Special presentations by:

Heather McDaniel, CEcD, AICP, EDFP
President & CEO
Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED)

Jennifer Tavares, CEcD, EDFP
President & CEO
Tompkins Chamber

Keynote Speaker
Dr. Vicki L. Bogan, Associate Professor
Cornell University - SC Johnson School of Business
Geller Family Professor of Applied Economics and Management

Keynote Presentation: Understanding the Racial Wealth Gap:  Why Does Racial Wealth Inequality Exist and Why Does It Persist?
 
Dr. Bogan will discuss the historical context of racial wealth inequality and the continued racial disparities that affect almost every wealth creation opportunity in our society, and will explore specific forms of institutional discrimination that hinder economic advancement and what promising types of community solutions could be put forth to address this critical issue in the U.S. 

Breakout Sessions:
Envisioning Tomorrow's Workforce
Presentation & Panel Facilitation by Natalie Branosky
Workforce Development Board Executive Director

Tourism Recovery: A Look into the Future
Presentation & Panel Facilitation by
Peggy Coleman, VP Tourism & CVB Director, Visit Ithaca; Gary Ferguson, Downtown Ithaca Alliance and Dean Zervos, Owner of Simeons American Bistro

Supporting Ithaca’s Startup Ecosystem
Facilitated by Tom Schryver, Executive Director
Cornell University Center for Regional Economic Advancement (CREA)
Featuring: Tom Knipe, City of Ithaca; Chuck Schwerin, Ithaca Area Economic Development; Ken Rother, REV: Ithaca Startup Works