‘One Step Beyond’ to economic development

The upcoming 14th annual New Hampshire Economic Development Summit, it will have a simple message, said Roy Duddy, the state Division of Economic Development’s interim director: – explore your creativity and be prepared to take “one step beyond.”

“In today’s challenging economy, we all need to re-examine the way we’ve traditionally done business and employ more creative and innovative strategies,” said Duddy. “There has never been a better time to take chances and to pursue new ideas that might stimulate activity and lead to business growth.”

Fittingly enough, “One Step Beyond” is the theme of this year’s summit, which will take from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Radisson Hotel Nashua.

Presented by Duddy’s agency in cooperation with Public Service of New Hampshire and media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review, the summit will feature two keynote speakers — Tom Ticknor of Ticknor & Associates who will discuss “Building a Brand – Positioning Your Community for Success” and Tom Hayes, master salesman and life motivator, who will tell how he grew his Fuji Medical Systems sales territory from $200,000 to over $50 million a year by building and motivating a top sales team. Selected by Showtime Networks as a “Funniest Person” award winner, Hayes lives by the motto, “If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.”

Workshops at the Summit will include “Granite Greatness – Tales of New Hampshire Entrepreneurship,” featuring Laura Boucher (Hunter IdeaNeT – creator of the Snow Sleeve snow removal device), Michael McGloin (The Mountain – creator of the popular “Three Wolf Moon” T-shirt) and Nancy Brown (Three Acre Kitchen – creator of balsamic-based specialty foods).

Also, “New Mediums, New Messages – How Social Media is Transforming Communication,” will feature Epiphanies Inc. owner Allen Voivod and “Mission Transmission – The Hydro Quebec Project” will feature PSNH Economic and Community Development Manager Pat McDermott and Allison McLean, PSNH’s municipal relations and external affairs specialist.

McDermott said the summit “provides economic development practitioners and business owners with the latest information they need to keep New Hampshire’s economy moving forward. New Hampshire continues to outpace its New England neighbors in terms of business growth and we welcome the opportunity to highlight some of our emerging companies at this showcase event.”

For the second consecutive year, Scott Spradling of The Spradling Group will serve as guest emcee of the event, which also will feature presentation of the Commissioner’s Awards for Economic Development Excellence.

Admission is free but is limited to the first 200 people. To register, contact Leslie Sherman at lsherman@dred.state.nh.us.