The Regional Growth Partnership recently hosted a delegation of prominent site consultants to promote the Toledo/Northwest Ohio region as a top location for business investment.
Nine site consultants from across the country made their way to the Toledo region for a three-day event to learn more about the area’s assets. This event, described in the industry as a “FAM (familiarization) Tour,” marked the ninth time the RGP played host to this annual gathering of consultants.
“Site consultants are key targets because they are often engaged by companies looking to expand operations. It is critical that the RGP identify and build relationships with these decision makers.”
– Dean Monske, President & CEO, RGP
The RGP branded and marketed the event as an opportunity for consultants to gather the critical information they deem important, and have it presented by the people they want to hear from – private sector business.
They came to the region from all across the country, representing such cities as Dallas, Indianapolis, Charlotte, and Chicago. During the visit, they heard executives at some of the region’s largest companies explain why they chose to invest and do business in Northwest Ohio. Some of the corporate presentations included: First Solar, Hart, CSX, BP, North Star Bluescope Steel, and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. There was also a robust panel discussion on workforce development presented by eight regional university and community college presidents.
As has become tradition, a special highlight for some of the consultants was a helicopter tour over select Northwest Ohio construction-ready sites. The event ended with some fun and relaxation at the Lake Erie Islands.
“This was a great opportunity for Northwest Ohio to make a strong, face-to-face sales pitch to key decision-makers who took the time to visit our backyard. The idea that this region was able to attract some of the top national site consultants for several days is pretty impressive.”
– Gary Thompson, Executive Vice President, RGP
Besides the FAM Tour, the RGP employs other strategies in reaching these key consultants, most notably, direct, face-to-face meetings in targeted cities across the country and digital communication educating and promoting the assets and development opportunities in Northwest Ohio.