The Redwood Coast is a remarkable place to call home. Spanning the northernmost edges of the California Coastline, Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties are known for stunning natural beauty, temperate climates, and charming communities.
Our region has always shared a lot in common, including economic opportunities as well as challenges. The economic outlook right now includes development in the Harbor that is opening the region to emerging industries. New airline flights in Del Norte and Humboldt, combined with the availability of remote work, are offering people a quality of life that is attracting them to the area. The new HSU Polytechnic has the potential to produce a skilled workforce for the whole region.
At the same time, we are all reeling from the widespread ripple effects of the past year and a half. A once-in-a-century pandemic has impacted nearly every aspect of our lives. The ongoing injustice towards our BIPOC community members must be addressed at a local and systemic level. And the increasing threat of drought and wildfires further highlights our need for collaborative problem solving and innovation.
Future Forward is a two-day virtual economic summit designed to foster innovative thinking throughout our region. Our goal is to identify shared economic opportunities and strengthen collaboration amongst our businesses, economic development professionals, and emerging leaders. This conference will center on three themes:
-
Industries Bringing New Opportunities: Sharing best practices and innovation to foster growth for our area’s leading industries, including tourism, agriculture, arts & culture, manufacturing, and cannabis.
-
Infrastructure for Sustainable Economies: Conversations about building and improving the key infrastructure needed in our area, such as transportation, childcare, housing, broadband, healthcare, and green energy.
-
Improving Quality of Life for All: Dialog about how to provide equitable access for all people who call the Redwood Coast “home”, with elements that research shows improve our quality of life, including community development, education pathways, advocacy, and investment for BIPOC communities, and mental health support.
Our interactive virtual platform will offer various ways to network and engage with other attendees, as well as a virtual vendor booth component. In addition to the virtual presentations, participants will receive a conference package, including conference swag and a detailed program overview with highlights from our community.
Our region is as resilient as the Redwoods we’re famous for. And as we focus on revitalizing an economy that is more inclusive, equitable, and resilient, we know that collaboration and innovation will be integral to moving towards a future that works for everyone.
Be a part of the conversation and register here.
Details
Where do I sign up?
How much are the tickets?
General Admission - $75
What will this conference be about?
Friday will center on 90-minute interactive breakout sessions on key regional focus areas. While this inaugural conference is completely virtual, there will be an emphasis on networking, collaboration, and strengthening ties across our tri-county area.
A sample of Friday’s Sessions:
Session 1A: Quality over Quantity: Creating a Robust Cannabis Market
8:30 am - 10:00 am
A panel discussion around our regional cannabis products; market assessment using geographical indications; and developing robust cooperative models to improve marketing power while protecting branding. Participants will gain a deeper understanding in the discussion of how working together can create power; the steps we can take to protect craft legacy cannabis; and how focus on quality over quantity can be a boost in today’s market.
Session 1C: Carbon Negative by 2030?! What does this mean? How will we get there? What’s your role?
8:30 am - 10:00 am
The Redwood Coast is poised to lead in renewable energy, shrinking our carbon footprint and improving resilience at the same time. There are many initiatives under way you need to know about. Join for intelligent leads to start or grow a business in the clean energy and broader green marketplace. Identify what your municipality or organization could do to adopt visionary, practical renewable energy strategies and policies. Find funding to support them, and improve equitable outcomes. Energy, Economy, Climate, Equity: join us!
Session 1D: Housing - How to Actually Get it Built
8:30 am - 10:00 am
We have different housing needs throughout the Redwood Coast Region, with one shared refrain: there isn’t enough. Join us for a lively panel discussion on overcoming housing production challenges, and come away with tools to take back to your community to actually get housing built.
Session 2C: Airports Create Opportunity
10:15 am - 11:45 am
Aviation can be a major driver of economic growth. The entire Redwood Coast is experiencing amazing growth in air service. This session will look at changes in the aviation industry, the opportunities this creates for our region, and identify specific actions that can be taken to maximize the economic benefits of robust aviation systems. This Session is Lead by: Cody Roggatz, Director of Aviation Gregg Foster, Fly Humboldt Adam Goldstein, Flight Penguin
Session 2D: Thriving Minority Businesses On The Redwood Coast
10:15 am - 11:45 am
Join in a dialogue about the experience of being an entrepreneur in the rural Redwood Coast. What are the resources to help your business thrive? What more is needed? If you identify in whole or in part as a person of color, woman, differently abled this session is for your voice and perspectives. If you are a supporter, funder, or policymaker committed to equity of access and opportunity for minority entrepreneurs, this is your chance to learn more.
Session 3B: Exploring the Blue Ocean Economy
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
The blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs all while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems. This workshop will discuss how our local tourism, aquaculture, and fisheries rely on our ocean to provide livelihoods and nourishment to our community, while research and engineering industries create paths towards environmental sustainability that have an important economic impact locally and far beyond the Redwood Coast.
Session 3D: Child Care: Not Just a Parent Problem
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
COVID 19 has brought to light the very fragile thread that ties our parents to the workforce. Employers don’t have time to wait for the state and federal government to create the infrastructure for systematic change. This workshop will look at some best practices at the employee and local government level to alleviate some of the pressure for parents and providers.
