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November 22, 2011 ULI St. Louis Presents “Emerging Trends Outlook 2012” On December 7th: The RCGA and St. Louis Commerce Magazine are once again pleased to co-sponsor the Urban Land Institute St. Louis District Council (ULI St. Louis) with other civic partners as ULI presents its annual real estate trends and forecast program, entitled “Emerging Trends Outlook 2012” on Wednesday morning, Dec. 7th from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Eric P. Newman Education Center, 320 S. Euclid Ave. The program will begin with a presentation by leading commercial real estate industry expert Jonathan Miller on the Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2012 report—a publication from PricewaterhouseCoopers and ULI—as well as a session on the outlook for St. Louis area real estate, including a panel of leading area real estate investors and experts.
Miller lectures frequently on trends in real estate, including the future of America’s major 24-hour urban centers and sprawling suburbs. He also is author of Infrastructure 2011: A Strategic Priority, an influential new ULI report that challenges the United States to treat infrastructure like the investment that it is, by developing a targeted, long-term, and integrated infrastructure strategy. Panelists to date are:
All attendees receive a copy of the Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2012 report. Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2012 Emerging Trends in Real Estate is a trends and forecast publication with a 32-year history, and is the most highly-regarded and widely-read forecast report in the real estate industry. Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2012, undertaken jointly by PwC and ULI, provides an outlook on U.S. investment and development trends, real estate finance and capital markets, property sectors, metropolitan areas, and other real estate issues. The report draws on formal and informal surveys of real estate executives, investors, developers, and market experts around the U.S., including survey responses from over 500 real estate executives and personal interviews with over 125 industry leaders. For more information on the program and to register online, please go to www.StLouis.uli.org Deadline to register is Monday, November 28th. “Hold The Date” For 175th RCGA Annual Meeting & Dinner, Thursday, January 26th: We are looking forward to the 175th Annual Dinner and Meeting of the RCGA on Thursday evening, January 26th at the Chase Park Plaza. Continuing our tradition at this event, we will present the RCGA Right Arm of St. Louis Award recognizing the civic contributions by an outstanding regional leader; the award recipient will be announced in the coming weeks. Invitations to the Annual Dinner and Meeting will be sent to the entire RCGA membership next month, but in the meantime, please mark your calendars for Thursday evening, January 26th. Leadership Circle members are encouraged to purchase your table today by calling Mary Barbeau at the RCGA at 314.444.1103, or email her at mbarbeau@stlrcga.org November 21, 2011 “They’re Baaaaack” --- That Is The Annual So-Called Crime Rankings by CQ Press, Due To Be Published Tomorrow: CQ Press is expected to release its annual so-called city crime rankings tomorrow. Once again, the FBI, Mayor Francis Slay's office, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the American Society of Criminology, the Metropolitan Police Department of St. Louis, the National Criminal Justice Journalists (a national professional association of over 200 crime reporters), and the RCGA are once again debunking and roundly panning this sham report, which turns out to be nothing more than a scheme by the publisher to market and sell their $70 per copy book of repackaged FBI data each year. Washington, D.C.-based CQ Press manipulates the FBI's public data each year to publish rankings of communities. In this regard, the FBI, national criminal justice journalists, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and national criminologists such as Dr. Richard Rosenfeld of the University of Missouri at St. Louis note this annual misuse of FBI crime data is at the expense of the reputations and economies of this nation’s cities, stemming from the fact that their publicity focuses on ranking of cities rather than metro areas. “One of the main reasons the rankings are bogus is that there’s no standard definition of a city,” Rosenfeld notes. “Some cities are geographically small and don’t include within their boundaries as many middle-class areas as geographically larger cities. The City of St. Louis, for example, is 62 square miles. Phoenix is 515.” Most of St. Louis’ suburban communities fall outside the city, whereas in Phoenix, many of their suburban communities are inside the city limits of Phoenix which is nearly 9 times the geographic area of the City of St. Louis. “Again CQ Press will defy the FBI’s own warnings against using its data to rank U.S. cities by crime rate, and again this year mayors across the country are compelled to point out the damage that these inappropriate rankings can inflict on our cities,” notes Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker, who chairs the U.S. Conference of Mayors Criminal and Social Justice Committee. “Everyone with the slightest knowledge of this issue knows the rankings are not credible, but the publication persists with them, presumably because rankings are popular and sell books. Unfortunately, they also do real harm to the cities that come out on the losing end.” “We’re encouraged that the nation’s news media have become more skeptical about the CQ rankings, and that in recent years have either ignored them altogether or consider them bogus and damaging,” Parker continued. For example, I had a call last week from a reporter for a national publication in which she “wanted to get your perspective of those bogus annual crime rankings.” The publication about which we are concerned is an annual ranking of U.S. cities by “highest crime rate” and “lowest crime rate,” compiled by SAGE Publications, an independent international publisher, which is owned by CQ Press. The rankings were initially compiled by Morgan Quitno Press, whose editor, Scott Morgan, once acknowledged he would be ”stunned if there is a criminologist out there who will support this.” The rankings are pitted with a variety of flaws, including:
The annual rankings are derived from the FBI's annual Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) statistics. The UCR program, which dates from the 1930s, gathers crime statistics from thousands of U.S. communities for the purpose of helping individual communities benchmark and track their own crime trends and to detect national patterns. Four years ago, the FBI began posting a disclaimer about the CQ Press rankings on its website where it posts the UCR figures: http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2006/about/variables_affecting_crime.html. The disclaimer notes:
In 2007 the Conference of Mayors year passed a resolution criticizing these rankings. It is available at http://usmayors.org/resolutions/75th_conference/csj_05.asp. The resolution states that the Conference is committed to working with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice to “Educate reporters, elected officials, and citizens on what the data means and doesn‘t mean.” Since the City of St. Louis is geographically only 62 square miles (versus the metro area of 8,261 square miles), given the fundamental flaws in the CQ Press’ methodology, St. Louis City will almost always by definition show up high in this ranking. The St. Louis region, however, is routinely in the middle of the pack, at 153rd of the 335 metro areas last year. As a result, St. Louis leaders began to fight back on this annual “assault on St. Louis’ good name” by joining with the FBI, criminologists, criminal justice journalists, and the Conference of Mayors to point out the flaws in the CQ Press rankings. To the point, since the publicity that CQ Press generates each year on their rankings appears largely be to sell their expensive book to libraries throughout the country, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch published an editorial in November 2008 warning librarians not to waste their money to buy this report, noting that, “all the data in the CQ Press book are government statistics available online for free, and the way the book uses these numbers renders them worthless.” We agree. November 15, 2011 Partnership, SLDC, & RCGA To Showcase “T-REx Entrepreneurial Incubator & Pitchfest” And Aspiring Entrepreneurs In Reception This Wednesday, Nov. 16thAt Railway Exchange Building: To see some of the best IT startups “pitch” their businesses, please join us this Wednesday evening, Nov. 16th from 5 to 7 p.m., at T-REx (TEC @ the Railroad Exchange Building), 611 Olive St., 12th floor to showcase this new entrepreneurial incubator and its participating entrepreneurs. The T-REx members, 13 new entrepreneurial IT businesses, will make their elevator pitches as part of the program.
T-REx, where you go “to build something gigantic”, is a civic entrepreneurial initiative jointly launched earlier this year by the three not-for-profit economic development organizations: the Partnership for Downtown St. Louis; the St. Louis Development Corporation; and the RCGA, in partnership with ITEN. An anchor tenant has been the TechStars-styled Capital Innovator accelerator headed by Managing Partner Judy Sindecuse, offering entrepreneurs the unique opportunity to receive both funding and mentoring services for their potential high-growth technology start-up venture while also providing numerous support services and resources so that the entrepreneur can focus on the core business rather than worrying about administrative functions. The physical shared space, in the Railway Exchange Building offers low-cost, flexible-lease space with 10MB internet connection oriented to the nascent IT startup entrepreneur. T-REx had its preview night on August 10th, the same day that Capital Innovators and their civic partners held their Selection Day to choose its top five investment candidates from a pool of 15 semi-finalists. The 15 semi-finalists for Startup St. Louis were winnowed down from a surprisingly large pool of over 160 entrepreneurs who applied in July. Each of the entrepreneurs receives $50,000 of start-up funding to carry forward with their projects. We’ve had a great first class. Our partners at Capital Innovators indicate that they have 165 applications for the next five slots. To register for the T-REx reception this Wednesday, please click on help@downtowntrex.com. Today marks the beginning of Global Entrepreneurship Week http://www.unleashingideas.org and part of the activities being held this week include the Missouri Venture Forum’s Outlook for Capital 2012 (http://www.missouriventureforum.org/) this Thursday, 4 p.m. to 7 PM. November 14, 2011 Greater St. Louis Top 50 Awards Gala Salutes Area Business/Civic Leaders This Evening: The RCGA and RubinBrown LLP will present the 2011 Ameren Corporate Citizenship Award to Nestlé Purina PetCare Co. President & CEO Pat McGinnis, and the 2011 Spirit of St. Louis Technology Award to AT&T Missouri President John Sondag, this evening at the 16th annual Greater St. Louis Top 50 Awards Gala & Dinner at the Chase Park Plaza. Some 700 guests are registered for this event.
The annual special edition of St. Louis Commerce Magazine, now on newsstands throughout the region, announces all of the 2011 Greater St. Louis Top 50 award recipients, based on firms and organizations receiving nomination. Growth in the number of employees; revenue growth; acquisitions and expansion of facilities; and their overall contributions to the St. Louis regional economy were the criteria used to select the 50 St. Louis-based companies from the 84 nominated firms. Please click on this link to access the entire slate of 2011 Greater St. Louis Top 50 St. Louis Commerce online: www.stlcommercemagazine.com In addition to Greater St. Louis Top 50 title sponsor, RubinBrown, corporate and media sponsors of the Top 50 Awards program are: Ameren; Edward Jones; M&I, a part of BMO Financial Group; Thompson Coburn LLP; KMOX NewsRadio 1120; the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; STLtoday.com; and St. Louis Commerce Magazine. Speaking of Commerce, this issue also presents the 2011 Construction Roundup and State of the Industry Report, as well as the winners of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Construction Keystone Awards; the annual AGC dinner saluting these winners was held on Thursday evening, Nov. 3rd. With each issue of Commerce, we spotlight key area leaders who continue to move the region forward. Given the spectacular MLB Playoffs and World Series events, this month’s “Day in the Work Life” story is particularly timely, featuring Cardinals President & CEO Bill DeWitt III, coming off the Cardinals’ 11th World Series Championship. Our “Business Portrait” features TheBANK of Edwardsville CEO Tom Holloway. We also spotlight Roman Kulich, President of Coventry Health Care. November 9, 2011 RCGA Co-Sponsoring Saint Louis University’s “Challenges And Opportunities Growing Globally,” Conference On Friday, Nov. 18th: RCGA continues its partnership with The Boeing Institute of International Business at Saint Louis University's John Cook School of Business, in this case as it hosts the “Challenges And Opportunities Growing Globally,” conference, on Friday, November 18th, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Busch Student Center, 20 N. Grand Blvd.
To register for “Challenges And Opportunities Growing Globally,” please e-mail the Boeing Institute of International Business at biib@slu.eduu or call 314.977.3898. November 8, 2011 St. Louis Commerce Magazine --- Now On Area Newsstands And In The Mail --- Salutes 2011 Greater St. Louis Top 50 Award Winners: The annual special edition of St. Louis Commerce Magazine, now on newsstands throughout the region and in the mail, announces the 2011 Greater St. Louis Top 50 award recipients. The Gala Dinner to Salute the Top 50 will be held next Monday, November 14th at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel. Over 700 guests are anticipated for the event. Ticket and table information may be obtained from Colin Stahlhut at the RCGA at (314) 444-1145, cstahlhut@stlrcga.org.
AT & T Missouri President John Sondag and Nestle Purina PetCare Co. President & CEO Patrick McGinnis are pictured on the cover of this issue as the winners, respectively, of the 2011 Spirit of St. Louis Technology Award, and the 2011 Ameren Corporate Citizenship Award on behalf of their companies. Growth in the number of employees; revenue growth; acquisitions and expansion of facilities; and their overall contributions to the St. Louis regional economy were the criteria used to select the 50 St. Louis-based companies and organizations. This issue of Commerce also presents the 2011 Construction Roundup and State of the Industry Report, as well as the winners of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Construction Keystone Awards. The annual AGC dinner saluting these winners was held this past Thursday evening. Nov. 3rd. With each issue of Commerce, we spotlight key area leaders who continue to move the region forward. Given the spectacular MLB Playoffs and World series events of the past several weeks, this month’s “Day in the Work Life” story is particularly timely, featuring Cardinals President & CEO Bill DeWitt III, coming fresh off the Cardinals’ 11th World Series Championship. Our “Business Portrait” features TheBANK of Edwardsville CEO Tom Holloway. We also spotlight Roman Kulich, President of Coventry Health Care.
Please click here to view this issue – www.stlcommercemagazine.com Speaking of the Cardinals’ World Series Championship – Prior to the start of the World Series, in the event of a Cardinals victory over the Texas Rangers, I wagered a case of Tums (whose global production is made next to Busch Stadium by GlaxoSmithKline) to Dallas Regional Chamber President Jim Oberwetter if the Arlington-based Texas Rangers lost, and a case of Anheuser-Busch products in the event of a Ranger victory. Oberwetter countered with a case of Kimberly-Clark Corp.’s (headquartered in the Dallas area) Kleenex ™ facial tissues for all the tears to arrive if the Cardinals lost to the Rangers and a case-equivalent of 7-Eleven, Inc.’s (headquartered in Dallas) Cardinal Red Slurpee ™ drinks, should the Cardinals win the Series. Our case of Slurpee’s arrived on Friday, and Jim will receive his case of Tums this week. Oberwetter and I are colleagues on the board of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, and both ardent baseball fans. Prior to heading the Dallas Chamber, Jim was U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia under President George W. Bush. He’s also a very good sport, and we both agree that the 2011 World Series was one of the most exciting one ever played. November 7, 2011 RCGA Breakfast With The Gazelles This Thursday, November 10th Features Edward Jones Managing Partner Jim Weddle: The recently-adopted Regional Economic Development Strategy ranks “Financial & Information Services” as one of the 5 most competitive industry clusters for job and investment growth in the bi-state region in the decade ahead. This conclusion was based on a year-long extensive data-driven assessment of Greater St. Louis’ competitive position by Market Street Services from Atlanta in terms of people, place, and prosperity. A key and continuing reason for the St. Louis region’s competiveness in this sector is the ongoing growth and success of Edward Jones as a national industry leader. To learn more about this remarkable financial services success story, join us for this month’s Breakfast with the Gazelles, being held at Edward Jones Headquarters. It’s not too late to register for RCGA Breakfast with the Gazelles featuring Edward Jones Managing Partner Jim Weddle, this Thursday, November 10th, beginning at 7:15 a.m., at Edward Jones headquarters, 12555 Manchester Rd.
Edward Jones is one of the largest financial services firms in the nation for individual investors. Nearly 11,000 branch offices make it the largest in terms of U.S. locations. With more than 12,000 financial advisors, Edward Jones ranks among the five largest U.S. financial services firms. Jim’s topic is "Climate, Culture, and Making A Great Place To Work.” For more information about this and other upcoming RCGA Breakfast with the Gazelles programs, please contact RCGA Vice President for Membership Services Colin Stahlhut today at (314) 444-1145, or e-mail him at cstahlhut@stlrcga.org. November 1, 2011 2012 InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum Open For Entrepreneurs Seeking Investment: Friday, November 18th is the deadline for businesses seeking investors to meet the early application deadline for the 2012 InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum.
InvestMidwest is the annual showcase for the best technology and high-growth companies throughout the Midwest and surrounding states. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply in time for the early November 18th deadline. Companies that apply by then will receive preferential consideration by the selection committees. The final deadline for applications is Friday, January 13th. Now entering its 13th year, InvestMidwest, which will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, April 4th and 5th in St. Louis, continues to attract participation by growing Midwestern entrepreneurial companies seeking investment. The selected companies present to some of the nation’s top venture capitalists and angel investors. Companies that presented at InvestMidwest over its first 12 years have gone on to secure more than $850 million in total investments. InvestMidwest will once again bring together some of the country’s leading venture capitalists, corporate investors and angel investors, who will gather for the presentations. Selection of presenting companies is based on a company’s value proposition, management team, products or services, marketing strategy, market opportunity and financial summary. Those firms selected will receive guidelines and guidance to ensure that their presentations meet the Forum’s professional presentation standards. The conference will showcase 45 companies in three presentation tracks: life sciences, IT/general business and clean energy /sustainability. The main criteria for a company to be considered are: --Project $20M in revenue within five years To apply to present at the 2012 InvestMidwest click here InvestMidwest over the last 12 years has been held in alternative years in St. Louis and in the Kansas City metropolitan area. InvestMidwest 2011 attracted 300 attendees, including over 70 venture capital professionals who heard presentations by 43 growth-oriented companies from nine states with the potential to generate at least $20 million in annual revenue within the next five years. InvestMidwest’s mission is to provide access to equity capital for emerging, privately held companies seeking venture funds in excess of $1 million. InvestMidwest is supported by a diverse group of public and corporate sponsors. The organizational sponsors include the RCGA, Missouri Venture Forum, The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and KCSourceLink. If any RCGA Leadership Circle members have clients or otherwise know of emerging companies interested in presenting their business cases for venture funding, please contact InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum Executive Director Christine Walsh at 314.503.1019.
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