U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development to address the Tri-State Development Summit

Hundreds of leaders from the tri-state region of northeast Missouri, southeast Iowa and western Illinois, are scheduled to attend the Tri-State Development Summit “Stronger Together,” to be held on Friday, November 18 at Iowa Wesleyan University – 601 N. Main St. Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Registration is still open, and all are welcome to attend.

With economic development at the forefront of conversation, the Summit has invited Jay Williams, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development to be the keynote speaker during the morning session.

As the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), Williams is charged with leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the global economy.

Prior to joining the Department of Commerce, Jay served as the executive director of the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers. In this capacity, he worked directly with state and local stakeholders in areas affected by the changing American automotive industry to deliver federal support to ensure they returned to better economic condition.

State updates will also be given by Chris Koster, Missouri Attorney General and candidate for Governor, as well as Jim Schultz, co-founder and CEO of Intersect Illinois and former director of the Illinois Department of Commerce.

In addition, Randall S. Blankenhorn, Patrick McKenna and Paul Trombino, the three directors of transportation for Illinois, Missouri and Iowa respectively, will join guests to talk about what the future of transportation looks like for the region, and in their states. Directors will cover topics from new technologies, to how we transform how we design and build our transportation infrastructure.

New this year, guests will be able to experience transportation technology in action with a 2015 Tesla on display. Demonstration rides in the vehicle featuring the autopilot function will be available to guests of the Summit. Space is limited for the demonstration rides, and summit attendees must contact info@tristateofmind.com to reserve a timeslot.

“What an exciting time in transportation with the advent of driverless vehicles,” states Patrick Poepping, Tri-State Summit committee member. “How this, and other technological advances, effects the three DOTs in the tri-state area should make for some very interesting reports at this year’s Tri-State Development Summit in Mount Pleasant. I look forward to hearing from all three of our top transportation officials on how their departments are preparing for & implementing to these fast pace changes in the transportation field.”

Tickets for the summit are $40 and include: a morning session, networking lunch with awards and recognition, and an afternoon session.