Catalyst University an award winner for Southwest Michigan First

Southwest Michigan First’s Catalyst University is a good idea. So good the regional economic development group received an Excellence in Economic Development Award for it from the International Economic Development Council.

The award came during the annual conference of the International Economic Development Council. Tim Terrentine, Vice President, and Leslie Puckett, Director of Events, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

IEDC chair Dennis Coleman says the organization recognizes Southwest Michigan First “for providing successful strategies to promote new standards in economic development in this period of global recovery.”

Southwest Michigan First’s  program is based on a graduate-level model of ongoing study. The idea is to prepare Southwest Michigan’s next generation of leaders and the community for the region’s future relevance in the global economy, says Ron Kitchens, Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Michigan First.

“We carefully selected global thought leaders for a top-notch program where they could speak to our regional leadership to inspire and challenge them to make a difference in the world,” says Ron Kitchens, Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Michigan First. “Next year’s program promises to deliver even more.”

Catalyst University 2012 will take place Jan. 24-25 in downtown Kalamazoo. Registration and more information can be found here. 

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Ron Kitchens, Southwest Michigan First