Chamber preps 19th community leadership visit

Last edited 3:27 p.m., May 24, 2012

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is preparing for its 19th annual leadership visit, this time to Fort Collins, Colo.

About 30 people representing a cross-section of Springfield-area organizations in the public and private sectors have signed up for the trip to Fort Collins, which has a population near that of Springfield, said Sandy Howard, chamber vice president of public affairs.

"We see them as a peer community," Howard said of Fort Collins. "Like Springfield, they have a strong entrepreneurial sector that has really driven their economic growth.

"In particular, they have had success in growing their economic base in the research and innovation sectors."

Howard said the trip would bring insight on Fort Collins' transition into the "knowledge-based economy," which she described as comprising jobs requiring advanced skill sets.

"I think it's identifying a way to be prepared for what the new economy looks like," she said. "It's being able to be prepared for the jobs of tomorrow, which don't necessarily look like the jobs that we've had for many years."

Howard said the visit also would educate chamber and community leaders about Fort Collins-based Colorado State University's partnerships with the private sector, which she said has had a significant impact on the region's economy.

"With the focus of higher ed institutions in our community, we hope to build on that success here as well," Howard said.

Chamber leadership visits have led to multiple initiatives being adopted locally. For example, the chamber's visit to Lexington, Ky., led to the development of the Community Focus Report, and a trip to Des Moines, Iowa, helped to push the name change to the Springfield-Branson National Airport, according to the chamber's Web site.

Last year, about 54 people visited Tupelo, Miss., for the chamber's 18th annual leadership visit, Howard said.

The registration deadline for the Fort Collins trip - which costs $1,895 per person - is May 31. Howard said the chamber is shooting for about 50 attendees. Those interested in registering can call (417) 862-5567.