WCU hosts regional leaders summit - Oct. 7th

Early registration ends September 30! Advancing Our Economy: Preserving Our Environment Join regional leaders for dialogue on important issues facing Western North Carolina as it grows its economy. Friday, October 7, 2016  |  10am-4pm  |  WCU Campus Early registration: $29 until September 30 Registration will be $50 after September 30. LEARN MORE REGIONAL GROWTH SECTORS Hear from regional experts on exciting new developments in how WNC is growing its economy while taking the environment into consideration. Tourism: Steve Watson, Chief Financial Officer, The Biltmore Company Manufacturing: Eaton Corp Health: Heather Gates, Director, WNC Health Network Creative Arts: Timm Muth, Project Director, Green Energy Park Education: Lauren Bishop WCU's Chief Sustainability Officer and Lane Perry, WCU's Director of Service Learning  OUTDOOR TOURISM Panel members from both the public and private sectors will discuss the significant issues impacting the growth of outdoor tourism balanced with access to our natural resources and the environment.  Moderated by WCU Professor Steve Morse. Panel David Brown, Executive Director, America Outdoors Association, Knoxville, TN Mark Singleton, Executive Director, American Whitewater, Cullowhee, NC Sutton Bacon,CEO, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Bryson City, NC Dr. Andrew Bobilya, Director of WCU's Parks and Recreation Management Program Mike Wilkins, Head Ranger, Nantahala National Forest, U.S. Forest Service, Franklin, NC FACILITATED BREAKOUT SESSIONS Social Entrepreneurship  Moderated by Dr. Lane Perry, Director of WCU's Center for Service Learning. Creative Placemaking Moderated by George Brown, Dean of WCU's College of Fine and Performing Arts. Getting Around Moderated by Garrett Artz, Executive Director of RiverLink, and Dr. Arthur Salido, WCU Associate Professor of Chemistry. LEARN MORE