Our economic world is changing. Global competition and technological advances are changing the way we do business. For the unprepared, the change can be crippling. But if we understand and anticipate the change, our future offers unparalleled opportunity. Never before has it been possible to respond so quickly to capitalize on new ideas or new products. Please join me for our 5th Annual State of the Region Conference. The conference will host leading experts on regional economic development. Our keynote speaker, Michael Gallis, is perhaps the world's leading authority on large scale regional development strategy. Kip Bergstrom, Executive Director of Rhode Island Economic Policy Council, will show how Rhode Island has created their networks of capability. Russell Gwatney, President of Gwatney Companies and Chairman, St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank, Memphis Branch, will discuss the dynamic turnaround of the Memphis region.