The Coachella Valley Economic Partnership’s 19th Annual Economic Report will feature keynote speaker Nikolas Badminton, a world-renowned futurist. The event will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells.

Badminton is a global futurist speaker and Chief Futurist who has spent 30+ years working with leadership at over 400 leading organizations at the frontline of foresight, strategy and disruption – including NASA, United Nations, Google, Microsoft, Intel, IBM, WM, JPMorgan CHASE, VISA, TD Bank, American Express, BISCI, ISACA, Rolls Royce, Procter & Gamble, US Department of State, UK Home Office and many more.

Facing Our Futures: How foresight, futures design and strategy creates prosperity and growth – is Nikolas’ number one best selling book and has been selected for the Next Big Idea Club and as J.P. Morgan Private Bank’s ‘Next Gen Pick’ for their prestigious 2023 Summer Reading List to guide new leaders to ignite curiosity and embrace futures thinking.

Nikolas’ essential research has been featured by the BBC, VICE, The Atlantic, Fast Company, Business Insider, Forbes, Sunday Telegraph and many others. He appears on SIRIUSXM and CTV regularly, was a key advisor to the ‘Age of AI’ series with Robert Downey Jr., and appears in the Franklin Institute’s series ‘2050.’

This year’s CVEP event theme is Choosing to Change, to highlight the importance of – in Badminton’s words – “exploring desirable futures, anticipate unforeseen risks, and strengthen strategic planning.” Joe Wallace, CVEP President and CEO, said “CVEP is honored to take the opportunity at this morning event to showcase our recent business diversification efforts and to present local economic data that define the present and future of the Coachella Valley. We hope to stimulate the Valley to think from a ‘What if…’ perspective, in the spirit of designing a prosperous future for all.”

This is the premier business event of the year, historically drawing close to 800 of the region’s business, civic, and education leaders. It’s an excellent and rare opportunity to hear from some of the area’s leaders, influencers, and decision-makers.

Hunter|Johnsen is a proud Platinum Sponsor of the event, and assists the CVEP team with marketing, including digital, TV, radio, print, collateral materials, event-day materials, and the 40-page Annual Economic Report.

This year’s event will be held in partnership with California Forward’s 3-day event, the 2023 California Economic Summit: Coachella & Imperial Valleys. A statewide nonprofit organization, California Forward brings together businesses, government, regions and communities to focus on racial and geographic equity, environmental sustainability and economic growth for all. To register, visit cvep.com or contact CVEP at 760-340-1575.