Theme: Economic Recovery

MEDA 2021 Fall Conference – Speaker RFP

The theme of this year’s conference is Economic Recovery.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted economic activity across the nation and communities are looking to strategize for long-term recovery. This RFP process for the MEDA Fall Conference 2021 aims to identify creative and innovative thought-leaders who can speak to this economic challenge.  The conference topics noted below are intended to provide a framework for idea generation. 

List of Potential Topics:

All submitted proposals will be considered, but MEDA is interested in covering the following topics:

  • Best practices related to economic recovery
  • Ways to Partner (P3, Higher Ed etc.)
  • Creative Plans for Resilience
  • Business Grants and Loans
  • Special Programs for Underrepresented-owned Businesses Facing Various Challenges
  • Training for Workers Displaced by the Pandemic or for Workers Needed by Businesses in Transition
  • Infrastructure, including Broadband, Water, Sewer, etc.
  • Marketing that Helps Communities Communicate that they are “Open for Business”
  • Creative Plans that Build Partnerships and Institutions that Make Local Communities Stronger and More Resilient
  • Pandemic Effects on Retail and eCommerce
  • Remote Work – Its Affect on Housing and Office Space

Conference Details: 

Tuesday, September 14, 2021 from 8 to 1pm on Zoom

COVID-19 Considerations:

MEDA records all presentations that are held on Zoom and makes them available to registered participants if the presenter approves.

Submission Process:

Please complete the online form (below) no later than 5:00 pm on August 6, 2021

Late proposals will not be considered. MEDA does not allow sales-oriented (promotion of products, services, or consultation) as part of the Fall Meeting. If a commercial representative is included on a panel, they are asked to speak broadly about industry best practices with only minimal focus on their particular commercial entity and only as it relates to the topic or project being discussed. MEDA may invite legislators to moderate the panels, particularly when the subject matter extends into state policy or potential legislation.

MEDA’s educational sessions are typically 1 hour to 1.5 hours in length and focus on issues of interest to economic development professionals. It is strongly encouraged that a proposed session meets the conference theme. To ensure that MEDA presents a balanced conference with varying viewpoints, MEDA’s conference sessions typically include 2-3 panels and one keynote speaker.

MEDA’s Program Development Committee may add or substitute speakers to achieve its desired level of viewpoint diversity – MEDA will make final decisions on speakers and invite speakers directly.

Contact Information:

Any questions regarding this process may be directed to Pam Ruff pamr@medamd.com or Sandy Dubay sandy@medamd.com