Governing Leadership Forum: Tennessee 2016

Governing visits Tennessee for the first time to host the Tennessee Governing Leadership Forum on October 6, 2016. The State of Tennessee has made great progress in balancing the state budget and attracting new industry to urban and rural locations. A renaissance led by the creative class is happening in Nashville and Knoxville with thousands of new downtown housing units and unemployment rates at a near all-time low. Investment in infrastructure, from transportation to utilities, is a hot topic for the legislature, local leaders, and the Governor’s office. A focus on government efficiency led by Governor Haslam and his collaborative Cabinet members make investing in this Leadership Forum a great opportunity for every business sector. Education, from the university systems to free community college to testing across the state, will be at the top of many agendas at the state and local levels and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. And, the need to attract and retain a future workforce in government is a focus of much attention for elected officials and state Cabinet resources.

Governing will again invite leaders from state and local government to share their successes and inspire action by each and every attendee. Plenary sessions will include elected officials and senior executives sharing their vision for leadership and the future of the Volunteer State. Concurrent sessions will provide an opportunity for further exploration of the unique challenges in Tennessee and opportunities for innovation solutions.

This Year's Topics may include:

• Leadership: Aspirational and Practical (A View from the Top)
• Financing Critical Infrastructure in a Pay-as-You-Go-State: Long-term Solutions for a Prosperous Tennessee
• The Big Four: Tennessee’s Largest Cities, Their Resurgence and Their Potential
• Education as an Economic Development Tool for the Future
• Hiring and Retaining Great Employees in the Public Sector
• A Customer-Focused Government: High Quality, Low Cost Service
• Health Care in Tennessee: From the House Task Force to Public Health Departments, What’s the Prognosis?
• Government Disrupted: A Digital Public Demands Digital Public Services