Governmental Research Association's Annual Conference 2024

This year's annual meeting and conference will be hosted by EdNC in Asheville in the mountains of western North Carolina. We promise great food and fellowship, interesting conversations and connections, and beautiful views and vistas.

Conference panels will include housing, early education, rural economic prosperity, and the role of community colleges in workforce development.

Upskilling on revenue models, SEO + distribution, DEI, board structure/governance, and impact will be provided.

The conference includes a field trip to Haywood County to learn more about the ongoing impact of both 100-year flooding as well as the closure of a 100-year-old papermill, the state's largest layoff in 2023.

Highlights will include talking about climate with researchers from NOAA, a reception at the Governor's Western residence, and a keynote from Laura Ullrich, a senior regional economist at the Charlotte branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

Stay longer and enjoy Asheville's amazing food, music, and outdoor recreation!

Please note that the ticket price does not include lodging. Please book lodging using the accommodation link below.

Date: July 21st - July 24th, 2024

Location: The Collider,1 Haywood St 4th floor, Asheville, NC 28801

Accommodation: The AC Hotel, 10 Broadway Street Asheville, North Carolina 28801

Room block will be held until June 1st! Book Now!

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AGENDA:

Sunday, July 21 | Check in at AC Hotels

5-7 pm | GRA President Shawn Teigan | Welcome at Green Man Brewery

Monday, July 22 | Meetings will be held at the Collider

8-9 am | Breakfast | Eric Lupher, Presidents Meeting | Justine Oliva, Researchers Meeting | Eric Kneeland, Operations Meeting

9 am | Mebane Rash, EdNC | Jack Cecil, Biltmore Farms, Chair of Dogwood Health Trust | Challenges and opportunities for Asheville and the region, lessons learned in leadership

9:30-10:30 am | Jeff Hornstein, Economy League of Greater Philadelphia | Panel on Housing

10:30-11:30 am | Doug Howgate, Massachusetts Taxpayers Association | GRA Spotlight

• Katie Dukes, EdNC | Panel on Early Education

11:30am-1pm | Lunch | 10-minutes lighting upskilling

• Aligning outputs, outcomes, and KPIs for impact
• Unlocking potential: The role of coaching
• Revenue models
• SEO + Distribution
• Board governance
• On recommendations

1-2 pm | NOAA | What is NOAA + data, national climate assessment + key findings, research institute's hot topics, resources including regional climate service directors and centers as well as state climate summary, urban heat island mapping with 20 minutes of Q&A

2-2:20 pm | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging | Tara Kenchen

2:20-2:40 pm | National League of Cities

2:40-3:00pm | GASB | Stephen Stuart

3-4pm | GRA President Shawn Teigan | Annual Meeting

BREAK

5 pm | School bus, 10 minute ride

5:30-7:30 pm | Governor’s Residence with Jeff Hornstein, GRA President

Tuesday, July 23 | Field Trip to Haywood County

9 am | School bus stop for local breakfast

10:30ish | Arrive Haywood Community College

10:30-11:30 am | Emily Thomas, EdNC | Panel on the Role of Community Colleges in Workforce Development

11:30am-Noon | Visit Regional Center for the Advancement of Children at Haywood Community College

Noon | Drive to Canton, Bus Tour around Pactiv-Evergreen Site, largest NC layoff in 2024

12:30 pm | Lunch at Southern Porch with Mayor Zeb Smathers

• Keynote on Economic Prosperity in Communities with Pew Charitable Trusts
• Speaker on 2024 Elections

BREAK | 3:15-6:15 pm | Workshop the GRA anthology, network with GRA peers, follow up on coaching, or catch up on work

Evening | 6:15pm | School bus ride

6:30-9 pm | Gala and Awards Dinner, A-B Tech Community College, Keynote by Stephanie Norris, Economist, Federal Reserve

• 6:30-7:00 Appetizers and Drinks
• 7:00-8:00 Dinner and Keynote
• 8:00-8:45 Awards
• 8:45-9:00 Closing

Wednesday, July 24 | 8am | GRA Board Meeting and Breakfast