Description

The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce (GEDCC) will host its 19^th  Annual Economic Summit on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 8:30am to 11:30am at the Lakewood Country Club (1912 Abrams Road, Dallas, TX 75214). CC Young is this year’s Presenting Sponsor.

The Chamber’s program will host a panel of presenters to discuss “Building a Better East Dallas.” Featured will be Bryan Trubey of Overland Partners. Brian Luallen, CEO of Fair Park First and Darren L. James, FAIA, President of the Board of Directors for Fair Park First.

Bryan Trubey is a heralded sports stadium architect and Oak Cliff native known for designing some of the world’s most memorable, recognizable, and critically acclaimed sports and entertainment facilities. The former HKS architect known is now working with Overland Partners to redesign Fair Park and uplift its surrounding neighborhoods. Bryan’s projects and contributions to the sports and entertainment industries have garnered national and international media attention including NBC, CBS, ABC, ESPN, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Forbes, and Wired. In 2016, Bryan was named to the 50 Most Influential by Sports Business Journal.

Under the leadership of Brian Luallen, Fair Park First has completed an updated Master Plan for the park and secured the first new tenants to the campus in over 20 years. In his role, Brian leads the delivery of a new 18-acre Signature Community Park inside the Fair Park campus and has secured the funding to create a Fair Park Loop extension to the Santa Fe Trail as part of the city’s network trail plan. Luallen also oversees the $500M campus-wide capital investment and revitalization plan and develops strategies focused on increasing daily use to enhance Fair Park as a year-round destination for parkgoers near and far.

Darren L. James is President of KAI Enterprises, a national design and construction services firm and serves as the inaugural President & Chair of Fair Park First. James was elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows in 2019. As an entrepreneur, architect and servant leader, James has spoken at national conferences and seminars. James was honored when KAI received AIA Dallas’ 2021 Firm of The Year. James was named one of D CEO Magazine’s 2022 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in North Texas for the second consecutive year, was a 2021 Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce Quest for Success recipient, and a 2021 KU Black Alumni Network’s Mike and Joyce Shinn Leaders and Innovators Award. He has also received the 2018 TAAACC William Sidney Pittman Award.

Fair Park First, a 501(c)3 non-profit conservancy organization, was created to oversee the management and stewardship of the park on behalf of the City of Dallas. Since its founding in 2019, the organization has made public engagement and service to the community key to its mission. Fair Park First was named D CEO’s 2021 Non-Profit of the Year.

The 2023 Economic Summit Chair is René Barrera with Ebby Halliday REALTORS. Barrera says: “The East Dallas Chamber of Commerce is once again pleased to bring quality speakers and programs to the community and this year’s line-up is no exception. Join us for a wonderful morning of networking and community engagement.”

Combining the East Dallas community’s dedication to education, growth, the work force and development, this year’s Economic Summit will center around the theme “Building a Better East Dallas.”

The program will also feature East Dallas City Council members Kathy Stewart, District 10; Jesse Moreno, District 2; Paul Ridley, District 14; and perennial favorite featured speaker, Steve Brown, Real Estate Editor of The Dallas Morning News, discussing topics surrounding the economic vitality of the Greater East Dallas community and this year’s theme.  

The Chamber’s annual Economic Report will be distributed to attendees at the event. It provides an economic development update for East Dallas Business members including an overview of major commercial and residential projects, a Quality of Life section highlighting what makes East Dallas a great place to live and for companies to do business (schools, healthcare, culture and recreation); and a directory of Chamber members at time of printing.

Additional Sponsors at print date include:

Comerica – Gold Sponsor

Oncor – Gold Sponsor

Veritex Community Bank – Silver Sponsor

Frost Bank – Bronze Sponsor

Atmos Energy- Bronze Sponsor

Advocate – Media Sponsor

Doors open at 8:30am, and the program begins promptly at 9:00am. The morning will include a seated breakfast, followed by speaker introductions and Q&A sessions. Throughout the summit, participants will hear from event sponsors and have the opportunity to network with East Dallas professionals.

Sponsorship levels ranging from $1,500, $2,500, and $5,000 and Host Tables $500.

To secure sponsorships online, visit http://www.eastdallaschamber.com, call 214-649-1773, or e-mail president@eastdallaschamber.com.

Advance sales of individual tickets are $65 and can be purchased online at www.eastdallaschamber.com or by calling 214-649-1773. Checks should be mailed to GEDCC at 9543 Losa Drive, Suite 118 – Dallas, TX 75218.