SHREVEPORT–MONROE, La. —The North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP), a regional economic development organization, will host its 2015 NLEP Annual Meeting on February 5, 2015 at the Shreveport Convention Center, 400 Caddo Street, Shreveport, La. starting at 6:30 p.m. The NLEP Annual Meeting will feature keynote speaker, Joe Theismann, an entrepreneur, author and former MVP quarterback for the Washington Redskins. The former NFL quarterback turned businessman and leadership coach will speak about his “Game Plan for Success” by drawing parallels between winning in football and in business. He will focus on how to succeed under pressure – when it’s “4 and 1”- and how to adapt quickly to unexpected situations.

“Economic development is a team sport! Everyone plays a crucial role in moving our economy forward,” said Scott Martinez, NLEP President. “We can’t win as a region without everyone playing as a team.”

The NLEP Annual Meeting is the only regional meeting of business leaders from across 14 North Louisiana Parishes. It’s an opportunity for NLEP to report to its investors, stakeholders and the community about the organization’s activities, successes and upcoming program of work. The event is open to the public: $50 for investors and $75 for non-investors. To RSVP and to purchase tickets, visit nlep.eventbrite.com or call Ashley Busada for more information at 318.677.2508.

The Title Sponsor for the 2015 NLEP Annual Meeting is the City of Shreveport. Our Gold Sponsor is Franks Management Company, and Bronze Sponsors include Capital One, Community Foundation and Progressive Bank.

“We’re very excited about our keynote speaker, Joe Theismann, whose leadership on and off the field should be an example to us all. NLEP recently launched a comprehensive five year strategic plan which will act as North Louisiana’s game plan for economic development success,” said Martinez.

NLEP’s strategic plan outlines new goals. The first goal encompasses our core mission of promoting economic development through a world-class program for fostering business attraction, retention, expansion, and creation. A new secondary goal includes talent recruitment and workforce development in order to create a strong pipeline of talent to support current and future employers. A third goal for NLEP is to act as a unified voice for the region to promote economic development.

Additionally, the strategic plan identifies two broad industry categories which the region should target: advanced manufacturing and professional services and information technology. NLEP will concentrate resources and business development efforts to attract companies in these sectors, since these business targets display strong growth potential and fit North Louisiana’s comparative advantages, talent pool and assets.

“We have a winning game plan now. We have the right people in play. Now it’s time continue the momentum for another successful year!” said Martinez.

ABOUT NORTH LOUISIANA ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP) is a public-private partnership dedicated to the positive and sustainable economic development of the 14 parishes it serves in North Louisiana. The NLEP and its many partners work with both existing and prospective companies to facilitate the attraction and retention of capital investment and meaningful job opportunities in our region.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Title Sponsor:
City of Shreveport


GOLD SPONSOR:
Franks Management Company


BRONZE SPONSORS:
Capital One
Community Foundation
Progressive Bank


Joe Theismann Bio
Entrepreneur, TV personality and past NFL MVP Joe Theismann has worked the last two decades for broadcasting for the NFL Network following two seasons as an NFL analyst for CBS Sports. A 12-year NFL veteran, Theismann played in 163 consecutive games from 1974-1985 and was twice selected to the Pro Bowl.

As the Redskins quarterback, he led his team to a 27-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII. Theismann won the league’s 1983 Most Valuable Player Award for leading the Redskins to an NFL-record 541 points and a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance.

In addition to his NFL and broadcast career, Theismann is a well regarded entrepreneur who has owned and operated Joe Theismann's Restaurants since 1975. He was on and actively involved in the Board of Directors for Johnny Rockets, a popular hamburger chain, for four years.

For his endeavors off the field, Theismann was named the NFL’s “Man of the Year” in 1982 for his community service and dedication to the health and welfare of children.

Theismann is a 1971 graduate of University of Notre Dame, where he received All-American honors; he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

PRESENTATION: “GAME PLAN FOR SUCCESS”
Joe Theismann’s dynamic presentation outlines the game plan that brought him success both on and off the football field. A former NFL MVP quarterback and Super Bowl champion, he reveals his Game Plan for Success by drawing parallels between winning in football and in business. Joe Theismann focuses on how to succeed under pressure -- when it's "4th and 1" -- and how to adapt quickly to unexpected situations-- when you're faced with a "blitz" instead of a "zone." He urges individuals and organizations to set goals and correct errors each step of the way, an approach that builds momentum, which, once on your side, would be hard for even the best "defense" to stop!