Lake County Partners plans event for 600 business leaders

The Lake County Partners Big Event will take place from 7:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 3, at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in Lincolnshire.

Lake County Partners is an economic development corporation in Lake County, and the organization annually assembles Lake County business leaders to discuss the future of Lake County as a great place to live, work and start, grow or relocate a business.

Keynote speaker Joel Kotkin has been called America's "uber-geographer" by David Books of The New York Times. In Kotkin's latest book, "The Human City: Urbanism for the Rest of Us," he posits that the suburbs are alive and well - and have a bright future. "Economically, the vast majority of our growth remains in the suburbs," Kotkin says. "We hear a lot about Millennials flocking to the city, but they are clearly moving to the suburbs as they get older. Seniors are staying in the suburbs. And the suburbs are where middle class families will go."

Kotkin argues that communities must reflect what the majority of Americans want even if it means lower-density development. "Going forward, the suburbs will most certainly be more diverse and richer culturally with a greater emphasis on developing downtowns and increasing recreation and cultural opportunities," he says.

Steven Vogt, co-chief investment officer of Mesirow Advanced Strategies Inc., Mesirow Financial, will deliver an economic forecast at The Big Event.

"Joel Kotkin and Steven Vogt bring the kind of invaluable, professional insight and context that community leaders expect at The Big Event," said Michael Stevens, Lake County Partners president and CEO. "We are looking forward to building on the success of the 2015 Big Event by providing a high-quality program and a unique opportunity to network with local business and community leaders."

Last year, the event drew more than 500 people. A record, sold-out crowd of 600 is expected this year. Tickets are still available and are $50 each or $1,500 for a sponsored table of ten. Every attendee will receive a free copy of Kotkin's book "The Human City: Urbanism for the Rest of Us" courtesy of United Conveyor Corp.

Presenting Sponsors of The Big Event include Chase, First Midwest Bank, Lake County and Mesirow Financial.

For more information, or to sponsor The Big Event, contact Barbara Prusila at bprusila@lakecountypartners.com. To purchase tickets for the event, go to www.LakeCountyPartners.com.