The 2010 Leadership Expedition is your chance to celebrate our region's successes and further examine the possibilities that lie ahead for two of Kentucky's most energized communities. The trip itself, which takes place May 10-12, 2010 in Pittsburgh, will encourage statewide thinking, breakthrough ideas, regional networking and business collaboration.

More than just learning about Pittsburgh, we’ll have the opportunity to learn more about how we can work together with our Louisville counterparts.

TO REGISTER FOR THE 2010 LEADERSHIP EXPEDITION TO PITTSBURGH, VISIT HERE.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA:
There’s a reason that Pittsburgh was named the #1 Most Livable City in America in 2007. Its affordable standard of living, great health care facilities, and cultural amenities have helped it transform into a city of possibilities, with rapidly growing technology, research and robotics industries. It’s been quite a transition since the steel mill days. A global center of innovation, the Pittsburgh region is home to over 100…billion-dollar-plus global corporations spanning advanced manufacturing, information and communications technology, and the life sciences. The region is a national leader in green building, with increasing capacity in energy and the environment. The David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh is the world’s largest LEED Gold Certified green convention center, and the city recently ranked number one in a study of farmers’ markets and community gardens per capita.

CLX STAFF ON PLANNING COMMITTEE: Lynda Bebrowsky, Gina Greathouse, Katie Hardwick, Chad Harpole, Dawn Pope, Bob Quick, Pamela Trautner, Mark Turner, and Tyrone Tyra.

VIEW A PREVIEW VIDEO OF MADISON COURTESY OF THE MADISON CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU BELOW

Commerce Lexington’s Leadership Visit is one of the largest and longest-running inter-city visits among chambers of commerce and economic development groups worldwide. In 2008, the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) cited the CLX visit as a case study in its publication entitled “A Guide to Intercity Visits: Community Development Through Leadership Exchange.”

ABOUT MADISON: The industries of agriculture, biotechnology, and healthcare are key strengths of Madison and its region, continuing to offer the possibility of sustainable growth and contributing to its high quality of life. Agriculture generates $9 billion in economic activity in the region, while over 160 biotechnology companies are located there, and it is home to five local, provider-owned health plans.

The economy also thrives on several important base sectors, including financial services, insurance, education and government. This city was among the best places to live in America when Commerce Lexington representatives visited it back in 1997, and it has continued to strengthen itself through innovative programs, collaborative regional economic development efforts, and a commitment to climate protection.

WHAT WE’LL SEE: Almost immediately upon arriving in Madison on the morning of May 18, participants will be immersed in the Madison experience through a session called “Postcards of Madison.” During this time, people will have the opportunity to choose from five different aspects of the city and hear from Madison community leaders in those areas while touring locations related to the following topics: Arts & Culture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Downtown Development, Recreation, and Green Madison.

The first day’s sessions will feature Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, followed by a panel of speakers that will discuss why they chose to live and work in Madison. Then, during the final session on day one, Rebecca Ryan, author of “Live First, Work Second,” will give her impressions of Lexington and how well it works to attract the next generation. She will present her “Handprint” of Lexington to the group.

Day two will begin with a session on Sustainable Madison, highlighting the many green initiatives embraced throughout Madison. Next will be a session on the university’s support of entrepreneurs and startups and how higher education and business work together to help the economy grow. On the afternoon of day two, participants will have the opportunity to take various elective tours and learn more about Madison. Everything from a downtown walking tour to a bike tour to a green building tour and more will be offered. The evening will feature a reception and dinner at Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts.

The final day of the 2009 Leadership Visit on May 20th will kick off with summary of the previous day’s elective tours. Rebecca Ryan will then return to the stage to provide her “action plan” for Lexington based her “handprint” that she outlined for Lexington two days earlier.

Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry will then address the trip participants, followed by Commerce Lexington Inc. Chairman Woodford Webb, and then Reed Polk will close out the 2009 trip with his always entertaining reflections and observations.

Doug Kinsinger, who heads up the Topeka (KS) Chamber and was the 2008 Chair of ACCE, attended Commerce Lexington's Austin trip and said, "Attracting a group of 275 people is impressive, but even more impressive is that they had the right 275 people." Also quoted in the publication was our very own Eli Mertens, publisher of TravelHost of the Bluegrass, who participated in his first Leadership Visit.

Over the years, Lexington leaders have visited such cities as Baltimore (M.D.), Greenville (So. Car.), Jacksonville (Fla.), Madison (Wis.), Minneapolis (Minn.), Mobile (Ala.), Portland (Ore.), Raleigh (No. Car.), and San Antonio (Texas).

Those participating in the annual Leadership Visits have brought back a plethora of ideas for implementation here in Lexington. A sampling of recent Visits appears below:

• Baltimore, 2003: Purchasing and procurement initiatives and programs through a Minority Business EXPO in collaboration with UK, FCPS, LFUCG and Ky. State University; Development of the EBO (Emerging Business Opportunities) collaboration leading to two half-day workshops at Blue Grass Airport to assist minority business owners in participating in projects related to airport expansion/initiatives.
• Nashville, 2000: Commerce Lexington's Access Loan Program and New Century Lexington's Community Livability Report.
• Portland, 1999: Bluegrass Partnership Initiative
• Mobile, 1998: Formation of AALE (African-American Lexingtonians Emerge)
• Madison, 1997: Coldstream Research Park.
• Richmond, 1996: Commerce Lexington's Business Information Center.
• Greeneville, 1995: Commerce Lexington's Minority Business Development program and Thursday Nite Live Downtown event.
• Austin, 1992: Lexington Community College's Street MBA Program.
• New Orleans, 1988: World Trade Center downtown.
• Tulsa, 1985: Hope Center (also Charlotte, 1993).
• San Antonio, 1983: Formation of Lexington United.
• Scottsdale, 1981: LFUCG's Herbie and Rosie programs.

2010 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 10-12, 2010**
**This is a joint Leadership Visit with Greater Louisville Inc.
2009 Madison, Wisconsin
2008 Austin, Texas
2007 Boulder, Colorado
2006 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
2005 Providence, Rhode Island
2004 Charleston, South Carolina
2003 Baltimore, Maryland/Washington, D.C.
2002 Raleigh, North Carolina
2001 Ann Arbor, Michigan
2000 Nashville, Tennessee
1999 Portland, Oregon
1998 Mobile, Alabama
1997 Madison, Wisconsin
1996 Richmond, Virginia
1995 Greenville, South Carolina
1994 Tampa, Florida
1993 Charlotte, North Carolina
1992 Austin, Texas
1991 Annapolis, Maryland/Washington, D.C.
1990 Boca Raton, Florida
1989 Tucson, Arizona
1988 New Orleans, Louisiana
1987 Charleston, South Carolina
1986 Nashville, Tennessee
1985 Tulsa, Oklahoma
1984 Chapel Hill, North Carolina
1983 San Antonio, Texas
1982 Minneapolis, Minnesota
1981 Scottsdale, Arizona
1980 Orlando, Florida
1979 Savannah, Georgia
1978 Jacksonville, Florida
1977 Tampa, Florida
1976 Houston, Texas
1975 Washington, D.C.
1974 Charleston, South Carolina
1973 Toronto, Canada
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