Washington state's Employment Security Department (ESD) - Labor Market and Economic Analysis (LMEA) division invites you to attend: 

PLEASE NOTE: 

In light of the evolving COVID-19 developments in Washington state and out of an abundance of caution, the Employment Security Department has made the decision to postpone the 2020 Economic Symposium. The health and safety of our citizens is our top priority. Thank you for your support as we all navigate the current public health situation.  We are currently exploring options to reschedule the event and hope to post a new date soon!

2020 Economic Symposium
April 14, 2020 | 7am – 5:30pm
Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center
2525 N. 20th Ave | Pasco, WA 

ESD is convening statewide and community leaders on April 14, 2020 in Pasco to address key economic and workforce development issues that affect not only the eastern side of the state but all of us statewide. Attendees and presenters will share and discuss "metrics that matter" to “connect the dots” across public-education-private-nonprofit sectors and geographies in Washington state.

Breakout session topics (speakers coming soon):

• Washington statewide and eastern Washington regional economic forecasts
• Rural economic development infrastructure issues: Housing, transportation and broadband
• Innovative urban re-development projects through collaborative partnerships
• Washington state port districts and their role in spurring economic development
• Economic and community benefits of tribes in Washington state
• Economic development and our clean energy future
• Report from the Agricultural and Seasonal Workforce Services Advisory Committee
• Pathways to success: From the fields to professional occupations
• The impact of technology on jobs across all industries (TIDE report: Technology-Induced Displacement of Employees)
• 2019 Workforce Board Employer Survey: Engaging employers to help guide workforce strategies
• Preparing the workforce for the future: K-12 apprenticeship and internship success stories
• Attracting and retaining a pipeline of skilled workers in rural communities
• School-to-work pipeline: Connecting learning opportunities and labor market demands
• Innovative workforce & economic development collaborations: Not the usual suspects
• Eleven Centers of Excellence: Economic development drivers for industry and education across Washington state
• Identifying occupational trends and occupations in demand
• The role of Workforce Development Councils in local communities

Opening Keynote Speakers

What’s on the economic horizon for Washington state in 2020? Get the “metrics that matter” from these Washington state leaders.

COMING SOON!

Who should attend?

• Government and corporate economists
• Government and corporate HR leaders
• Economic and workforce development leaders
• Private sector business leaders
• State, county and city public leaders, elected officials, workforce and economic development leaders
• Port district leaders
• K12 and higher ed leaders, educators and career counselors
• Chamber of Commerce representatives from across the state
• Business, workforce and economic development-focused government agencies and nonprofit organizations
• Business media

Reasons to attend

• Learn about statewide economic trends that will affect your region
• Connect and network with your workforce development and economic development peers from across the state to identify opportunities to work together and share best practices
• Discover data resources and business-friendly programs to assist your local employers