This conference in its 13th year brings together regional businesses from a wide range of industry sectors. Exhibitors will showcase cutting-edge technology, products and innovations. Attendees will have the opportunity to network, attend breakout sessions, hear an economic forecast from a leading regional economist, and more.  

This year’s theme will focus on workforce development and education as the future of economic development. 

TARGET MARKET This important networking event draws over 350 decision makers and community leaders from all sectors of business and industry in the five-county region of Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, Lewis and Pacific Counties and beyond. 

Keynote: Dr. Ali Modarres  https://directory.tacoma.uw.edu/employee/modarres 

This event is put on in partnership with the 5 economic development organizations of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Region: 

EDC Directors Panel: Jennifer Baria, Executive Director, EDC Mason; Lynnette Buffington, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Grays Harbor Inc.; Michael Cade, Executive Director, Thurston EDC; Richard DeBolt, Executive Director, Lewis EDC; Susan Yirku, Executive Director, Pacific County EDC.   

Higher Education Panel: hear from the region’s educational institutions on their strategies, plans and efforts to ensure that our region is meeting the workforce demands of an ever-changing economic employment environment.  

Breakout Sessions (collaborated on with our 5 county partner EDC’s) will include sector topics such as: healthcare, media,/film/marketing, IT/cyber security, craft brewing & distilling, food manufacturing, tourism & hospitality, natural product producers, advanced manufacturing/machining; engineering/construction technology. Each session will also speak to diversity, equity & inclusion along with innovations in COVID adaptions.  

Website Link: https://thurstonedc.com/regional-economic-forecast-innovation-expo/