Business Digest Radio

Steve Eisenhart-Sr. Vice-President Strategic & International Affairs

Colorado Springs is once again on the international stage hosting more than 12,000 space industry experts and leaders from 40 nations around the world both in-person and via online access.
The 39th Space Symposium will begin April 8-11 at the Broadmoor Resort and Cheyenne Mountain Resort with guests staying in 31 hotels within the city.
SVP for Strategic and International Affairs, Mr. Steve Eisenhart joins us to unpack the significance and depth of the content and relationships to be experienced by military and government attendees. 
Exhibits: 241 standalone exhibits across 153,000 sq. ft. using two exhibit halls.
International Space Agencies: 15+ heads of agencies participating
Track sessions: 4 concurrent sessions: 1) Space Law; 2) Space Science; 3) Space Investment; 4) Industry Game Changers
For those in the community who love all-things space, registration is now open for a special evening: Yuri's Night - Friday, April 7 from 5:30p to 9:00p! 
https://spacefoundation.org or https://www.spacesymposium.org/ 

Economic Development Officer, Jessie Kimber - City of Colorado Springs

The City of Colorado Springs experienced more "wins" in the economic development realm in 2023, than in the previous three years combined.
Recent successes in recruitment of key industry participants such as Entegris, Invictus, Microchip Technology, Meyer Burger Solar, and more are part of a new, engaging spirit of collaboration in the region among key stakeholders who want to keep the opportunities coming for those who live, work and play in the region and those following these great employers. 
Former Naval Commander, Jessica (Jessie) Kimber is one of those key stakeholders working in partnership with the elected officials and governing bodies, utilities, land developers, educators, private industry, and a very proactive Economic Development Corporation to continue to grow the region, "smartly" and an ecosystem of industry participants that has put COS on the short list of industry leaders around the nation - the world. 
Listen in while Jessie unpacks the first year of her tenure as the City's Economic Development Officer and how things are shaping up for the months and year to come. 
https://coloradosprings.gov/ 

Paul Myers-Bennett, Vice President Marketing & Events, SO CO BBB

Paul Myers-Bennett joins us on the Business Digest Weekly on AM1460/101.1FM to discuss Small Business Week (April 29-May 3, 2024), and the the BBB's renown accreditation programs available to businesses who want to convey their commitment to excellence in customer service, experience and support. One of the most active and forward-thinking BBBs in the nation, the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado serves 25 counties and thousands of businesses in the region. 
BBB of Southern Colorado serves 25 counties throughout Southern Colorado and sets standards for marketplace trust – to create a community of dependable businesses and charities – by encouraging and supporting best practices, educating consumers and businesses, celebrating business role models, and calling out and addressing substandard marketplace behavior.

Dr. William Craighead, Program Director, UCCS Economic Forum

Dr. William (Bill) Craighead reviews how the southern Colorado economic region has managed through the last several quarters, including the avoidance of a true recession. 
Dr. Craighead addresses consumer confidence, affordable housing, inflation, infrastructure tax, employer performance and more in this quarterly update. 
Click here to learn more about UCCS Economic Forum and how you can keep up with economic activity and performance and get the Economic Forum newsletter. 

Gretchen Bliss, Director of Cybersecurity Programs at UCCS & Terri Johnson, Cyber Security Management

Gretchen Bliss has an extensive background in cybersecurity, with over 25 years of experience. Before joining UCCS, Gretchen spent five years with PPCC leading Cybersecurity efforts. Her previous work experience includes 25 years as the NORAD Deputy Senior Analyst and Chief of Plans, supporting the government’s efforts in understanding the evolution of cyber since the early 1990s on cyber, information operations and warfare, and computer network defense/attack. 
Terri Johnson, is an Instructor of Cyber Security Management in the College of Business at UCCS. Ms. Johnson's students learn the various ways cyber comes in contact with specific areas of business, and how to defend inbound attacks in real time.
Learn more about all of the multidisciplinary aspects of UCCS's Cybersecurity program here: https://cybersecurity.uccs.edu/ 

Doug Price, President & CEO, VisitCOS - Tourism Update for COS

Tourism is a tremendous contributor to the City of Colorado Springs economy: one-of-a-kind attractions and destinations, top-rated cuisine, entertainment and events, hotel stays and utilization of our community assets like Colorado Springs Airport and more.Doug Price, President & CEO of Visit Colorado Springs joins Business Digest Weekly today at 3PM MST on 1011 FM The Answer to break down the numbers and how a strong and thriving tourism industry helps to support residents and our infrastructure.Sponsored by: Notes Live, Inc. & Boot Barn Hall- Colorado Springs

Marisa Wigglesworth - CEO, United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum

This energetic and highly experienced museum executive walks us through the first six months of her tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum located in beautiful downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado. 
Her story appears in the So. Colorado Business Digest where she explains how she and her team are working to place USOPM on the stage starting with community. 
Marisa Wigglesworth  | Chief Executive Officer 
Marisa Wigglesworth [pronounced Ma-ree-sa] is a distinguished leader in the museum and attraction industry, known for her extensive expertise in philanthropy, strategic planning, project management, and operations. As the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum, she brings a profound commitment to promoting and advancing the Olympic and Paralympic values, while celebrating the exceptional achievements of Team USA athletes. Wigglesworth previously served as CEO of the Buffalo Museum of Science, where she provided strategic and operational leadership and oversaw the 264-acre Tifft Nature Preserve. Prior to that, she held key positions at prestigious institutions such as the National Aquarium in Baltimore and The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, showcasing her accomplishments and leadership in the museum field. Wigglesworth holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a master’s degree from New York University.
 

CMG's own John Lerohl discusses his pioneering role in Silicon Valley's Landfill Diversion efforts

Many of you know Colorado Media Group's John Lerohl as an ultra friendly fella who leads our partnerships. What you may not know is the significance of John's former work life where he spent 30-years. Prior to joining NORTH by CMG and now the #BusinessDigest, John was a pioneer in the components scrap industry in Silicon Valley.
 
John's organization led the charge in helping giants like Apple, FedEx, Sun, Walmart and other tech companies to avoid significant financial penalties from the EPA and created the realm of "landfill avoidance". This work has protected our landfills and streams from countless tons of cadmium, lead, and arsenic, and precious metals from the components in our modern tech.
 
Pretty cool, huh? Yeah, we think so too. FRI, 3PM on 1011 FM The Answer

Tatiana Bailey, Ph.D., Founder, Data-Driven Economic Strategies

Dr. Tatiana Bailey (Ph.D.), joins host Dirk Hobbs to discuss her Economic and Workforce Progress Report for next 2022-23. 
Dr. Bailey addresses a number of the key economic indicators and how we can best put those indicators into perspective to help us make more informed, educated decisions: Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP), Jobs:Population Growth balance (@4.0% unemployment), diversification of regional industries, S. Colorado's tight labor market, and why employers are struggling to find the right employees, and much more! 
Dr. Bailey is the former Executive Director at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Economic Forum, now heads up her own independent firm Data-Driven Economic Strategies. You can visit her business page website at: https://ddestrategies.org.

Dave & Busters Entertainment, Inc. COS

In Autumn 2023, Dave & Busters Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLAY) began local recruitment for more than 100 positions for the grand opening of their Colorado Springs location. 
The store has been open for a few months, and business is steadily increasing after a lucrative grand opening month (DEC '23).
Just miles from the entertainment group's other facility "Main Event", Dave & Busters is set to expand operations overseas throughout 2024. 
Hear more about local perspectives on opening up shop in Colorado Springs, and the forecast for the rest of 2024.  
https://www.daveandbusters.com/us/en/about/locations/colorado-springs