The Lone Star State’s 21st century economic trajectory has been fueled by such factors as export productivity, tax advantages to employers and its former governor’s economic proselytizing. To many in the business community, Rick Perry is—despite being hauled up on abuse-of-power charges in his last days in office—a Texas icon.
“I’ve worked with six Texas governors and Rick Perry has done more economic development than the prior five combined,” rhapsodizes Austin-based economic development consultant Angelos Angelou. For all of Perry’s CEO-whispering and free hand with incentive disbursements—historically he spent more than half the state’s budget on grants and subsidies, tallying over $19 billion a year as recently as 2013—the economic boom in Texas is not primarily a tale of cash-back deals. Economically, Texas in 2015 is much as it was in 1915—a state whose fortunes are very much tied to energy.
The No. 1 producer of oil and gas in the nation, Texas reversed a decade-long slide of oil-related revenues in 2010, just as Perry took office and shale fracking took off. The mining doubleplay has solidified Texas’s position as top U.S. fuel producer, accounting for oil and well over one quarter of its natural gas.
Jobs in this sector outpaced the rest of the state’s employment growth by a factor of five. These are high-paying jobs, too. Sector revenues, combined with high property taxes, helped fund the state’s aggressive soliciting of out-of-state employers, effectively diversifying the economy. Angelou shrugs off the suggestion that the wave of relocating employers—locals call the influx “The Texodus”—reflects pay for play. “It’s not about incentives anymore,” he insists. “Companies go where they can attract talent.”
While execs pay special attention to relocation pitches coming from states that eschew taxes, most recognize that there is no free lunch. High property taxes and the state’s gross receipts tax claw back potential savings.
Where Texas stands out may well be the efficiency with which local recruitment efforts synchronize with state outreach initiatives. While Governor Perry made his well-publicized rounds of Fortune-500 chiefs, most small and midsized companies played small ball, connecting with small-town government officials and their economic development field reps.
When their corporate searches drilled down to the last round, the governor’s office weighed in with matching offers, tapping such sources as the now-legendary Texas Enterprise Fund. Usually, the combined offers prevailed.
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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.
