Economic Development Professionals Are Invited to Attend the Business Retention & Expansion International Conference June 11-13 in Cheyenne

Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI), an economic development organization that educates and shares resources with communities, will hold its 2025 conference from June 11 to 13 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. This is a great opportunity for members of the Wyoming Economic Development Association (WEDA) who hope to bring new businesses to their communities while supporting existing ones.

“Many of the challenges of business attraction and retention aren’t unique to Wyoming,” says Brett Kahler, Executive Director of WEDA. “Communities across the United States struggle with housing, workforce development, and infrastructure. This conference is an opportunity for Wyoming’s economic development teams to discuss opportunities and solutions to make our state stand out.”

It’s not too late to register for the conference and learn from business retention and expansion professionals. This is also an opportunity to network with other WEDA members. 

The BR&E Conference Brings Speakers From Across Wyoming

You might recognize some of the names presenting at BREI’s conference because they are actively involved in Wyoming’s economic development. Each of these presenters has impacted their local communities and wants to share their expertise with others. Here are a few Wyoming-based presenters and what they will cover.

• Kent Noble, Laramie: Following the welcome remarks, Noble will lead a discussion on personal ethics and how trust can shape internal and external BR&E efforts.  
• Renny MacKay, Cheyenne: On the same day, MacKay will lead a discussion on immigration and how it is changing local workforces. 
• Kristin Fong, Billings: Fong is presenting on the importance of childcare and early childhood education access in BR&E. Families go where they have access to quality childcare.

Additionally, there will be a panel discussion on MainStreet and its role in BR&E. State representatives Trey Sherwood and Pam Thayer, along with former state representative Chad Banks, will participate.

There Are Opportunities to Discuss BR&E Nationally 

The BR&E conference is not limited to Wyoming communities. It is a national conference that is attracting speakers from all over the United States. This is a good opportunity to observe national trends and their similarities and differences in Wyoming. Here are a few additional presentations and panels.  

• Chris Davidson, Yorkton, Virginia: This presentation will focus on ordinances around remote workers, 1099 contractors, and gig economy employees. 
• Dr. Brenda Kays and Tim Smith, Longview, Texas: These presenters will share a workforce development program formed through local colleges to meet industry needs. 
• Simon Webb, Kingston, Ontario: Learn how to conduct BR&E surveys and develop analytical techniques to review them. 
• Eric Canada, Wheaton, Illinois: Discover how AI tools can be integrated into CRM systems to support BR&E efforts.

“This conference does a great job of highlighting all aspects of business retention and expansion,” says Kahler. “Whether your community needs to boost its recruitment and lead generation efforts or grow its population, you can learn from these great speakers.”   

Enjoy a WEDA Reception at the Old West Museum

We can’t resist showing off the best of Cheyenne during the BREI conference, which is why WEDA is hosting a mixer at the Old West Museum on the first night of the conference. Enjoy a cash bar and appetizers on June 11th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. This beautiful museum highlights the history and culture of Wyoming. 

Don’t Miss This Opportunity to Learn About BR&E

Every business matters in your community, whether you are building up local entrepreneurs or supporting existing enterprises. The BR&E conference by BREI can provide insights to make your economic development efforts more effective and give your team a roadmap for the future. From AI or local ordinances, anyone can pull valuable takeaways from this conference.

Register today or learn about other conferences and education opportunities supported by WEDA. You don’t have to learn everything by yourself. The right resources and partners can help you grow your economic development skills and know-how.