Who: Jeff Jackson, President and CEO, Hoosier Gasket CorporationSealing Systems and Solutions, Indianapolis, Indiana
Site History: Founded in 1962 as gasket die-cutting shop in 12,000-square-foot facility in southeast Indianapolis; doubled its footprint in relocation the following year. Expanded again in 1979, adding 5,000 square feet to accommodate new screen-printing technology. In 1991, moved into 51,000-square-foot plant on the city’s east side. Continuing to add manufacturing processes, including edge bonding and rubber injection molding, the company again expanded in 2007 into its current building, a new, 130,000-square-foot corporate office facility and manufacturing plant in Keystone Industrial Park.
Why Indiana?: “The company was formed by three investors, including my father. And my father was born in Indiana.”
Reason for Location: “In 2006, we outgrew our facility and were being entertained by South Carolina, where we vacationed, to relocate. They offered tax relief and incentives. At that time, the city of Indianapolis stepped up and offered us abatements and interim tax relief. We decided to build in Indianapolis.”
Who: Joseph Cecere, President and Chief Creative Officer, Little Graphic DesignGraphic Design, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Site History: Founded in Minneapolis warehouse district in 1979, subleasing about 1,000 square feet. Relocated crosstown the following year, tripling their space. Subsequently moved downtown, taking about 8,000 square feet. In 1999, expanded again into 12,000-square-foot office space. In 2005, moved into current office location, about 18,000 square feet.
Why Minnesota?: Founder “Monica Little, who was then a recent Minneapolis College of Art & Design grad, saw the local advertising industry expanding, but there wasn’t much in the way of design services.”
Reason for Location: “Minneapolis is a hotbed of creativity. We have Fortune 100 clients down the block. We have longstanding relationships with local companies like Target and Wells Fargo and new clients, such as Minnesota Life, Ecolab and Timberwolf.”
Who: Charles Sukup, President, Sukup Manufacturing Co.Producer of Grain Drying and Handline Equipment, Sheffield, Iowa
Site History: Founded in 1963 in a welding shop in Sheffield; then, expanded into a new facility nearby. Last year, they opened two additional facilities in Sheffield: a 45,000-square-foot office building and a 100,000-squarefoot material-handling center.
Why Iowa?: “[The] major advantage of being in Iowa is we have a very well-managed state and a governor who is cognizant of what it takes for a company to be successful and grow.”
Reason for Location: “We are in beautiful agricultural country, close to our market and close to our biggest competitors. We’re a third-generation family business that’s bloomed where we have been planted.”
Who: Michael Krasman, CEO, UrbanBoundSoftware Development, Chicago, Illinois
Site History: Founded in 2011, UrbanBound shares about 9,000 square feet in Chicago’s River North neighborhood with Hireology, a sister company.
Why Illinois?: “There is a huge advantage to being an entrepreneur in the Midwest. In the last 10 years, both the state and the city have really focused on building a technology community here through public-private partnerships, grants and the Invest Illinois Venture Fund. And since my business partner Jeff Ellman and I both grew up in Detroit, we’re not far from home.”
Reason for Location: “Chicago is a world-class city and River North is a happening neighborhood, drawing entrepreneurs, technology people and creatives. There’s a buzz to this neighborhood, a constant energy. I love it.”
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
