Value. (May 2023 Chair's Column)

As I write this column, many of us are preparing to attend our Spring Workshop in Athens. By the time you read this, the Workshop may be over – and, I hope, you will have benefitted from the content and the time spent with your colleagues.

I recall the first GEDA Workshop I attended. It was located at Sea Palms Resort on St. Simons Island – I can’t remember if it was 2011 or 2012 – and was my first big GEDA event.  Although I was brand new to the economic development profession, I knew several GEDA members from my time at Georgia Southern and the technical college system.  I remember enjoying myself, meeting new people, and learning about how to do my job better.

What I didn’t know then, but appreciate now, is how GEDA and organizations like ours can affect lives in such meaningful ways.  I can’t remember any of the sessions from that Spring Workshop, but I remember many of the people I met for the first time, or saw again for the first time in a long time.  I don’t remember the stories that were told by the keynote speaker, but I remember some stories told by my new colleagues – now long-time friends – about crazy projects or fun episodes by the Sea Palms pool.  I don’t remember all the booths of the vendors and sponsors of the event, but I remember shaking hands and having conversations with people who are so integral to the work we do as economic developers and so important to me now.

There is so much value in the things we do that we sometimes take for granted.  I hope for all of us that we don’t overlook the intrinsic value of getting together, in Athens or elsewhere, and learn more about our profession and each other.

I hope everyone has a great summer with family, friends, and fun projects.  We look forward to seeing you in Gainesville in August and, hopefully, sometime before then.

See you all soon.