Bellevue Chamber of Commerce

Presenting Sponsor

Corporate Sponsors
City of Bellevue
The Bravern
Comcast Business Class
Microsoft
Moss Adams
MulvannyG2 Architecture
Puget Sound Energy
Reprographics Northwest

Associate Sponsors
Barclay Dean
Bellevue College
Cascadia Discovery Institute
Wallace Properties

Eastside Leadership Conference: Unlocking the Possibilities
Solving the big issues and success in the marketplace hinges on having a competitive business environment. That was the key theme of the Bellevue Chamber’s June 25 Eastside Leadership Conference. It was an action-packed day exceeding expectations with a stellar line-up of speakers that challenged attendees to push for what’s necessary to keep the Eastside at the top of the list of the best performing metropolitan economies in the United States.

10 Characteristics of America’s Strongest Economies
Our morning keynote, Bill Fruth, President of POLICOM in Florida, is an economist that got our region’s name in the news as the strongest local economy in the nation. He has analyzed over 600 local economies across the nation and delivered economic presentations in 34 states. The study measured 23 different economic factors over a twenty-year period to create the rankings. “The top rated areas have had rapid, consistent growth in both size and quality for an extended period of time,” said Fruth. “The rankings do not reflect the latest ‘hotspot’ or boom town, but the areas which have the best economic foundation. While most communities have slowed or declined during this recession, the strongest areas have been able to weather the storm.”

He explained why our region has the top economy in the country – it outperforms other areas in the 10 Characteristics of America’s Strongest Economies (click here to download Bill Fruth’s powerpoint presentation):

1. Diversified economy – Multiple primary industries
2. Geographic Location
3. Geographic Economic Assets
4. Cost Reduction Programs
5. Multiple Transportation Systems
6. University – Higher Education
7. Aggressive, well financed economic development organization.
8. Available trained or trainable workforce
9. Abundant supply of improved, approved industrial real estate.
10. Community wants it to happen – a spirit of “get it done”

Click here to download a copy of his PowerPoint presentation.

The Talent & Technology Behind Puget Sound Companies Solving Big Issues
While our area may be weathering the storm better than others, a panel of leaders demonstrated that their success hinges on creating an even more competitive marketplace. The panelists represented companies that are working to solve big issues in health care, clean technology, and structural design. They highlighted some of the ways they are looking at doing business in their industries differently.

Modumetal, Inc. CEO Christina Lomasney, described how her team is realizing the Company’s vision of revolutionizing the way major industries approach the design of metals and composites for structural, high temperature and corrosion resistant applications. Modumetal is redefining nano-scale material production to enable the large-scale deployment of these materials in a growing number of engineering and consumer applications. Click here to download a copy of her PowerPoint presentation.

David Allen, Principal and Executive Vice President of McKinstry, Inc. told the story of the company’s transformation from a little plumbing business in downtown Bellevue 51 years ago to a leader in green technology and their newest venture – a clean tech incubator.

Dr. Shawn Iadonato, Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer and Chairman of the Board of Kineta, Inc., is a co-inventor of more than 35 patents and patent applications. He spoke about Kineta’s work to solve Multiple Sclerosis and the need for more tech transfer to help spin off concepts into emerging companies.

Spiration Inc. President and CEO Richard Shea made a special announcement that the company was acquired by Olympus Corporation the day before. They hold the only patent in America on a medical device used to treat patients with emphysema and other breathing problems. Click here to download a copy of his PowerPoint presentation.

Eric Dobmeier, Chief Business Officer of Seattle Genetics, Inc is focused on developing innovative antibody-based therapies that improve clinical outcomes for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases. Dobmeier expressed the importance of competitiveness and the need to keep innovative companies in the region. Click here to download a copy of his PowerPoint presentation.

Ultimately this panel of leaders shared that the smart minds behind business innovation in our region require a business friendly environment, a transportation infrastructure that effectively moves people and products, and a quality of life that continues to attract talented people to work in their companies.

Managing the Future & Technology Solutions for Business
Ask why to make sure the right problem is being solved. That is one key to managing the future according to Sesh Velamoor, Trustee and Directory of Programs, Foundation For the Future. Velamoor organizes and moderates think tanks to discuss issues pertaining to the long-term future of humanity, including global education. He suggested the field of Biomimicry as a marketplace trend of the future. Click here to download a copy of his PowerPoint presentation.

Another trend is cloud computing. Sue DeFlorio, Chief Operating Officer of FiberCloud explained this evolution in information technology offers more options for small businesses to repurpose their IT needs. The cloud offers online access to enterprise software solutions, such as CRM, without needing the infrastructure or personnel to manage on-site. Click here to download a copy of her PowerPoint presentation.

Leveraging Social Media to Drive Business to Your Door
Businesses want to be followed closely. Consumers want to get great offers that match their interests. Perry Evans, CEO of Closely, and founder of MapQuest, launched Closely on these premises. The Bellevue Chamber of Commerce announced a partnership with Closely to help members leverage social media to drive business to their doors. A web-based platform will automatically publish company promotions to the web via Facebook, Twitter, Google, and to the company’s own website. The program will also help get companies set up on Facebook and Twitter. Click here to download a copy of his PowerPoint presentation.