Two Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP) executives shared strategies for economic development success as panelists at the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) 2006 annual conference in September.

RTRP President and CEO Charles A. Hayes and Executive Vice President Ted Abernathy were invited guests on panels at the IEDC conference. IEDC is the world's largest professional organization for economic development practitioners with more than 4,500 members across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other nations.

Hayes joined panelists for Ireland and the Czech Republic to discuss "Recipe for Success: Ireland, the Czech Republic and the Research Triangle Reveal Winning Ingredients." Panelists discussed their successful international attraction programs and strategies that make them successful in expanding investment in their regions.

"For a small organization, like ours, to ensure that our region remains globally competitive requires that we work through a collaboration process," Hayes told conferees. "This method is extremely effective but requires a strong passion to succeed without concern for who gets credit. It takes enlightened leadership."

Abernathy joined panelists from universities to discuss "Connecting Higher Education to Industry and Marketplace Needs." Leveraging university research and collaboration to promote innovation and job creation is at the heart of the Research Triangle Region's competitiveness plan, which is led by RTRP.

Abernathy's panel discussed how institutions of higher learning are serving as key training resources for employers looking for a quality labor force, supporting local industry needs through structured career pathways in high-growth occupations, hiring more faculty members in areas of local economic strength, and developing adult education schools that design new degree programs in consultation with business.

"All three roles of higher education-- teaching, research and service -- are involved," Abernathy told an overflow crowd. "The most competitive regions of the world are the ones where higher education institutions are actively engaged in the region's economic development efforts."

The Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP) is a public/private partnership that promotes economic development for the 13-county region of North Carolina comprising Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake and Warren counties.

RTRP coordinates the regional competitiveness strategy, called Staying on Top: Winning the Job Wars of the Future. It is a five-year, $5 million effort to create 100,000 jobs in the 13-county region and boost employment in every county.