Whittaker Report
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Trends in the Beverage Industry
Over the past several years, the beverage industry has seen demand shift away from alcoholic and sugary drinks towards more healthy alternatives. You may have seen a “mocktail” section on a drink menu while dining out, encountered online ads for functional coffee, or...
Recent Podcasts
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 30 - An Interview with Ashley & Eric Canada of Blane Canada AI
Sep 11, 2025 • 00:35:30
Eric has been a pioneer in applying technology to economic development for over 30 years, and together with Ashley—who brings deep expertise in sales and marketing—they’ve transformed Blane Canada into a leader in AI and automation for business development. We’re going to talk about where economic development is headed, how…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 29 An Interview with Dennis Pruitt, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
Apr 29, 2025 • 00:33:16
Dennis Pruitt, SVP, is the Senior Vice President of Economic Development at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. He leads the Chamber’s business recruitment and expansion efforts, economic research, industry sector development, and destination retail initiatives. He also oversees the Greater Oklahoma City Partnership, a 10-county regional economic development alliance. With…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 28 - An Interview with Jen Wakefield, APR, President and CEO at Greater Richmond Partnership
Mar 12, 2025 • 00:27:24
Jennifer Wakefield. Jen is the President and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership, where she’s been driving strategic growth and investment in the region since 2021. With over two decades of experience in economic development, marketing, and strategic planning, she’s led transformative projects in both Richmond and Orlando, boosting business…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 27 - An Interview with Barry Matherly, CEcD
Jan 29, 2025 • 00:20:52
In this episode, we hear from Barry Matherly, CEcD, President and CEO of Hickey Global, a full service economic development consulting firm. With over 28 years in economic development, Barry has been helping communities to prosper by creating opportunities for new investment and job growth. As a certified economic development…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 26 an Interview with Kate Engel, Executive Director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus
Apr 26, 2024 • 00:17:26
In this episode we hear from Kate Engel, Managing Director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus. Kate Engel. Kate is the interim executive director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus Development Corporation owned by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Kate’s primary responsibility is to supervise NICDC staff, direct business operations…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 25 - An Interview with Dr. Donald T. Iannone.
Jan 14, 2024 • 00:35:49
In this episode we hear from Dr. Donald T. Iannone, a poet, author, philosopher, and professor of theology. Don shares with us his view of the future of Economic Development and trends impacting the profession. He discusses the longterm impace of COVID on our mind, body and spirit. Do has…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 24 An Interview with Mark James, CEcD, Utility Practice Lead, Hickey Global
Dec 14, 2023 • 00:37:11
In this episode, Mark James discusses the electric utility industry role in site selection, current trends within the industry, electrical capacity, supply chain issues and the need to dramatically invest in the expansion of the grid. Mark also shares with us the future of economic development as seen from his…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 23 - An Interview with Karl Dye, President/CEO of TRIDEC
Nov 24, 2023 • 00:28:59
In this episode, we have a conversation with Karl Dye, President/CEO of TRIDEC (Tri Cities Development Council) serving Benton and Franklin Counties in Washington State. Karl discusses the opportunities for economic development organizations in decarbonization, climate change, and the electric power shortage. He also describers where he sees the economic…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 22 - An Interview with Lee Crume, President & CEO of BE NKY
Jul 20, 2023 • 00:19:11
Learn about BE NKY, a regional economic development organization and hear from Lee Crume, President & CEO of the organization as he describes the success they are having and his view of the changing nature of economic development.
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 21 - An Interview with Alia Abbas, Founder and President of Alia Consulting
May 20, 2023 • 01:13:15
In Episode 21, Alia Abbas shares with us her experience as a first-time attendee at the Select USA Conference, an investment summit in Washington DC annually. It provides an opportunity for economic development organization to meet with potential international investors considering establishing business operations in the United States. Alia Abbas…
Recent Posts
AI in Economic Development – Issue 3.0
AI Continues to Infiltrate Our Lives Below are three book recommendations about AI. Each of these books offers a unique perspective on the intersection of AI, economics, and society, providing valuable insights for understanding the role of technology in shaping our...
Five Key Business Trends to Watch in 2024
As we approach 2024, several key business trends are emerging, shaped by technological advancements, evolving consumer behavior, and global economic shifts. Here's an in-depth look at five trends that are set to influence the business landscape in 2024: Sustainable...
AI in Economic Development – Issue 2.0
Artificial Intelligence - Promise and Peril As we navigate through 2023, we've become acutely aware of artificial intelligence's dual nature. We marvel at the promise it holds for medical breakthroughs, innovative treatments for chronic diseases, and the prospects of...
Reverse Mentorship
Mentorship can be an essential tool for anyone seeking guidance from someone more experienced in a particular aspect of life, whether personal or professional. While there are numerous techniques to provide direction, mentorship is ultimately based on communication....
The Expanding Role of AI in Economic Development
November began with a well-attended webinar for Business Retention and Expansion International on "Leveraging AI in Economic Development." The 60-minute webinar on November 9th focused on applying artificial intelligence in economic development, especially business...
AI in Economic Development – Issue 1.0
This marks the beginning of a series of articles exploring the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in economic development. My aim is to provide you with regular updates on the latest advancements in the field of AI, particularly as they pertain to economic...
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InnovateAI
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping the economic landscape, creating new opportunities for communities ready to embrace innovation. For our community to thrive economically, integrating AI into local businesses, government operations, educational...
When AI Becomes Smarter Than We Are
What do you do when you realize the chatbot you’ve been using might be smarter than you? That moment hit me today while using Grok3. I asked it to write an article for The Whittaker Report—covering its own development, the Memphis data center where it lives, its...
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