The date is set (September 21-23), the city has been chosen and the initial planning trip is complete for the 23^rd Annual InterCity Leadership Conference (ICLC). Amy Bryan, Executive Vice President of Community Development and Growth, ventured to Greenville, South Carolina to spend a few days meeting, exploring and planning in preparation for the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 ICLC. 

“We go with an idea of what we want to look at and meet with City officials and community leaders” said Bryan, “but we want to get the most comprehensive view as possible of the city and that doesn’t always happen in official meetings but in off-hand conversations with everyone from the bellman to the barrister.” 

Each year the Chamber takes more than 100 business and community leaders and elected officials to a city to examine its successes and challenges in hopes of applying its lessons to the Columbus region. By design, most of the cities chosen are larger than Columbus allowing leaders to stretch their vision and aspirations beyond the confines of what Columbus is to the possibilities of what Columbus can be.  

This year is a little different. Greenville is larger than Columbus but not as large as the cities typically visited, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a lot going on. A city the size of Greenville provides a look at inspirational programs and projects that Columbus can realistically achieve in a faster time frame than some of the initiatives from the larger cities visited.  

The Chamber chooses six cities based on evaluations, what programs and projects have been looked at in previous years and what triggered the most conversation. Then they use a matrix to make the final decision. Those six cities go on a matrix and some of the items used for evaluation are entrepreneurism, crime index rank, population and economic development. This year in addition to the traditional matrix were five focused areas resulting from Columbus 2025 (formerly the Regional prosperity initiative). 

This year’s trip will be built around those five areas: talented and educated people; targeted economic growth; an enterprising culture, vibrant and connected places and a cohesive image and identity. 

Amy explains it like putting a puzzle together. “The cover of the box shows you what the final product looks like but to find all the pieces that make that picture is the challenge. It take time, many meeting and visits to venues - figuring out what fits together to showcase the city in a way that is appealing, interesting and applicable to what can be implemented in Columbus.” 

This year’s ICLC is already sold out with 135 participants but there is a waiting list. Visit www.columbusgachamber.com to find out more. 

Greenville Today

A lot has happened in Greenville in the 20 plus years since the InterCity Leadership Conference last visited. There population has grown tremendously; they have amassed a multitude of accolades and awards from national publications. Livability recently ranked it one of the Top 10 Best Downtowns in the country, and The New York Times called Greenville “a national model for a pedestrian-friendly city center.” 

Greenville has focused on creating a vibrant downtown that is authentic, sustainable and most importantly, for people. With wide sidewalks, outdoor plazas and streetside dining, downtown Greenville offers a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. Downtown has also become one of the most desirable residential districts in and around Greenville, giving the area an even more well-rounded character.  

Downtown is also a shopper’s paradise, with 100 retailers, including a variety of art galleries and specialty stores – from local designer boutiques to national favorites such as Anthropologie, Orvis and Brooks Brothers. 

With more than 120 independent restaurants in a 10-block stretch, downtown’s lively dining scene has sparked Greenville’s emerging reputation as a foodie’s paradise. Most are locally owned one-of-a-kind eateries, with cuisine for every taste and price range. There are also seven hotels with more under construction.