During their most recent class day, Leadership San Antonio (LSA) Class 37 explored the reasons that make San Antonio one of the nation’s best performing cities in terms of economic development. The day included meetings centered on revitalizing our city center in downtown, job creation in key industries like cybersecurity and healthcare, enrichment of the arts, and SA2020.
The day began with a welcome by HVHC Inc. CEO David Holmberg, who recounted his company’s story of consolidation and rebranding. HVHC’s decision to move their headquarters from the northside to downtown is counted as one of the major economic drivers for downtown renewal.
The class was also joined by Pat DiGiovanni, Deputy City Manager, who pointed out that the city’s biggest challenges for economic development are workforce development, recruitment and retention, and the redevelopment and revitalization of our center city. Elisa Chan, City Councilwoman District 9, also spoke to the group about job creation in the growing areas of healthcare, cybersecurity, and aerospace as an essential factors for economic development of San Antonio.
The class walked to the Hotel Valencia for a panel discussion moderated by Steve Spriester, Main Anchor KSAT 12. The panel consisted of Frances Schultschik, President of the Schultschik Marketing Group; Bruce Bugg, Chairman & CEO of San Antonio Capital & Trust Company; James Turcotte, Vice President of Property & Facilities for Whataburger; and Trish DeBerry, President of The DeBerry Group. The panelists reiterated earlier speaker comments on the need for downtown revitalization and also cited the installation of direct flights and the development of the Tobin Center for Performing Arts as major economic growth factors.
Next, the class visited Geekdom to hear from Director Nick Longo, who explained their mission as a collaborative workspace where entrepreneurs, technologists, developers, and creatives help each other build businesses together. Chef Johnny Hernandez, from La Gloria & True Flavors Catering, shared his failures and accomplishments in developing his own small business in San Antonio; True Flavors also catered lunch for the group.
The class then returned to the Hotel Valencia for a briefing on the state of economic development in San Antonio with Mario Hernandez, President of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation. Following the briefing, the class had a chance to explore different facets of economic development mapped out in the Mayor’s SA2020 initiative though an interactive exercise with Molly Cox, Principal at The Molly Cox Nonprofit Fancy Pants.
The day came to a close with a motivational presentation by SA2020 CEO Darryl Byrd, regarding LSA’s involvement in the future of San Antonio and a reception catered by the Hotel Valencia.
The 54 members of LSA Class 37 are grouped into committees responsible for developing agendas for each of the seven class days. The agenda for Economic Development Day was developed by class members:
LSA is a joint partnership of The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Applications for LSA Class 38 for 2013 are now available. Click here for more information or email Michelle Whitlow, Director of Leadership San Antonio, at LSA@sachamber.org.