Strategy, development focus of 6th annual summit

That was the advice of business trainer and consultant Ellen Rohr of Bare Bones Biz at the sixth annual summit of the Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership.

More than 100 city and county officials, businesspeople and educators attended the summit, held April 27 in Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World’s White River Room. The theme was Building on Our Success.

Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership, a division of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, comprises 67 communities and 23 chambers of commerce in a 10-county area – Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney and Webster.

In her presentation, “Entrepreneurs in the Ozarks,” Rohr said that everyone brings his own strength to a company and to a community.

“I encourage you to help each other,” Rohr said. “If you let it be known how you can serve, that’s what matters. You may not make a sale today, but let it be known, ‘Here’s what I know. Here’s what I need.’ Ask someone for help and tell them you can help them in return in some way.”

Rohr, who is based in Rogersville, said her mission is to promote worldwide business literacy. She is the author of three business books, including “Where Did the Money Go? Accounting Basics for the Business Owner Who Hates Numbers.” She speaks at conferences across the United States and in February was featured at Office Depot’s fifth annual Success Strategies for Businesswomen conference in Florida.

Also speaking at the chamber’s regional summit were Brad Segal, president of Progressive Urban Management Associates, Denver, and Tim Root, territory business manager of Buxton Co. in Windsor, Colo.

Segal, the former senior director of the Downtown Denver Partnership, provides management, marketing and economic development services to advance downtown and community development. His presentation, “Market-Based Planning,” taught leaders to develop economic strategies.

Root, who helps municipalities in Missouri, Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska recruit retailers and restaurants as part of their economic development programs, discussed trends in retail development in his presentation, “Retail Development.”