The Catalyst: Driving Community, Continuity, and Business Transformation

Date: Thursday, September 17
Time: 9:30am
Room: Main Ballroom

Speakers:
James Grieve – Founder and Principal Strategic Advisor, Value Driver Consulting

Description: In a rapidly shifting economic environment, building resilient local business ecosystems requires more than traditional retention strategies—it demands proactive transformation, strategic succession planning, and structural adaptability.  

In this inspiring keynote address, James Grieve—Founder and Principal Strategic Business Advisor at Value Driver Consulting—introduces the core concepts from his new book, The Catalyst: Community, Continuity, and Business Transformation. Drawing on decades of experience advising business leaders and municipal stakeholders, James outlines how economic development leaders can act as true "catalysts" within their regions. Delegates will discover practical frameworks for bridging the gap between strategic vision and ground-level execution, helping local enterprises navigate operational change, ensure long-term business continuity, and build sustainable value that strengthens the entire community.