Speakers
General Session Speakers
Closing Keynote Wednesday
Dr. Catherine Ross, Director, Georgia Institute of Technology's Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development
Dr. Catherine Ross is an internationally recognized expert on transportation and urban planning solutions for megaregions and has extensive experience in both the public and private sector. She is the director of Georgia Institute of Technology’s Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development and the Harry West Professor. She also serves as vice president of Euquant, Inc., an Atlanta-based economic and planning consulting firm. In July 2009, Dr. Ross was selected to advise the Obama Administration on the first-ever White House Office of Urban Affairs. She is the editor of MegaRegions: Planning for Global Competitiveness (Island Press, 2009) and the co-author of The Inner City: Urban Poverty and Economic Development in the Next Century (1997). For 20 years, Dr. Ross has conducted research on transportation and urban planning and how to make cities, neighborhoods and regions safer, healthier places for all to live. She speaks regularly to conferences around the world from Beijing to New Orleans and New York.
Opening Presenter Tuesday
Tim Arntzen, Executive Director, Port of Kennewick
Tim Arntzen has served as the Executive Director of the Port of Kennewick since April 2004. He is on the board of the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership and the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau. He is also a committee member for the Tri-City Development Council and a trustee for the Washington Public Ports Association. Mr. Arntzen is active with the Pasco-Kennewick Rotary and is involved with a variety of service organizations. He earned his BS in Geography and his Law Degree from the University of Oregon, and practiced law on the Oregon coast for seven years. Mr. Arntzen moved to the Tri-Cities in 1996 where he owned and operated the successful Columbia River Journeys tour boat company for eleven years, and was honored as Tourism Business of the Year award in 1999.
Lunch Presenter Tuesday
Wes Wood, CEO, Wisdom N’ Treachery
Wes Wood is an Internet marketing specialist with unique social media techniques. He has served as a consultant to many private and public companies. Mr. Wood has successfully marketed several people, products, services and causes. His diverse background includes management, sales and recruiting. Mr. Wood has developed his unique tools and skill sets from direct engagement with companies expanding their reach via Internet marketing.
Breakout Speakers
Listed in alphabetical order.