The Economic Summit later this month will mark 30 years in Steamboat Springs, as students, community members, businesses and elected officials come together to gain crucial insights into the regional and national economy.

“Thirty years is pretty impressive for events like this, and it is just a testament to our community’s desire and interests for economic insights and education and year-over-year wanting to participate in these important conversations about the future of our valley and what it looks like,” said John Bristol, executive director of Routt County Economic Development Partnership. “It’s exciting to keep that legacy going.”

The Steamboat Springs Chamber, Routt County Economic Development Partnership and Colorado Mountain College are hosting the event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 23 at the Colorado Mountain College Steamboat Springs campus.
“Colorado Mountain College’s Steamboat campus has been a long-standing and proud sponsor of the annual Economic Summit,” said JC Norling, vice president and campus dean. “Part of our mission is to provide relevant career and technical education certifications that serve the community and industry needs, and this event helps us to connect students and community members to resources that help achieve that.”

This year, the Summit will feature keynote speaker Nathan Perry, who has conducted several regional economic studies in Colorado, and will offer economic insight, backed up with the numbers.
“Sometimes the numbers are a little bit dry for folks, but he brings humor to it,” Bristol said. “His style of presentation can really liven up the conversation. He comes from Colorado Mesa University, so he certainly has a West Slope perspective, and is really tuned in to industries across the West from tourism, to hospitality, to oil and gas and agriculture.”

The day will also include panels on real estate and banking led by Michael LaMotte, with a panel that includes Todd Carr, Mathew Mendisco, Jason Peasley and Chris Sias.

There will be a legislative update led by Rachel Beck, the executive director for the Colorado Competitive Council, and a session by Jeff Engell from the Colorado State University extension office covering the intersection of agriculture and the economy.

“That will be really interesting,” Bristol said. “We’re always trying to figure out how we can weave in the conversation around agriculture because it’s important here in the valley, and so he’s going to speak to that for us.”

Tickets for the event are $85 for Steamboat Chamber members and $115 for non-members when purchased before Wednesday, with prices increasing on Thursday. The event is supported by Colorado Mountain College, the city of Steamboat Springs, Mountain Valley Bank, UCHealth and other local sponsors.

“Routt County Economic Development Partnership is proud to partner with the Steamboat Springs Chamber and CMC to deliver the premiere economic event of Northwest Colorado,” Bristol said. “We’re looking forward to this year’s sessions, which will drive key conversations to shape our region’s future.”