On October 3-4, 2013, the 60th Annual Tennessee Economic and Community Development Governor’s Conference was held at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The conference’s aim was to recognize and acknowledge Tennessee’s past accomplishments related to economic and community development, as well as a view towards future projects and ideas. According to Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty, “Tennessee is experiencing an unprecedented amount of momentum when it comes to job creation, as our reputation for providing the best location for business growth and expansion continues to build globally. The Governor’s Conference gives economic development professionals from around the state a chance to learn from a variety of experts and strengthen their skill set, while hopefully leaving with a renewed sense of purpose for reinvesting in Tennessee’s bright future.”
The two-day conference included various panel sessions that showcased Tennessee’s latest economic developments, such as in automotive manufacturing, entrepreneurship, exporting, incentives, marketing, retail, foreign direct investment, workforce development, certified sites and more.
The Honorable Consul General Cemalettin Aydın and TN Turkish American Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Alp U. Levent joined the conference and met with the Honorable Governor of Tennessee Bill Haslam, several Tennessee Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners, TN Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Metropolitan Government Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County Karl F. Dean, City of Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, TN Comptroller of the Treasury Justin P. Wilson, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce President Ralph Schulz, TN Trade Director Hayley Hovious, Nashville Health Care Council President Caroline Young, Sister Cities of Nashville Board of Directors President Tracy Kane and representatives from Tennessee State University, Belmont University and Lipscomb University.
Featured picture: City of Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero (L) with TN Turkish American Chamber Executive Director Alp U. Levent (R)
