All About Town - Pottstown Investor Conference

Pottstown Investors Conference Back (Virtually), to Focus on Resilience 

The Fourth Annual Pottstown Investors Conference sponsored by Hobart’s Run, The Hill School, Pottstown Area Industrial Development, Inc. (PAID), and The Borough of Pottstown will be presented in a virtual format on Friday, April 16.  The conference kicks off at 8:45 a.m. with on-line sign-in. There is no charge to interested individuals. 

Interested participants should register here. 

The fast-paced event will highlight social justice and equity in business and the resilience of Pottstown entrepreneurs. Participants will hear timely Borough investment opportunity news and hear two nationally noted speakers, Don Chen and Sulaiman Rahman. 

Keynote speaker Don Chen is president and CEO of the prestigious New York City-based Surdna Foundation, an organization focused on social justice. Prior to his appointment at Surdna, Chen was the director of the Cities and States Program at the Ford Foundation, where his work supported urban development initiatives. 

Twila Fisher, director of community and economic development for Hobart’s Run, thanks Hill School Board of Directors member Peter Benedict, Hill ’88, chairman of Surdna’s board, for making this valuable connection.

“Don’s presentation is sure to provide food for thought to investors, potential investors, and other stakeholders as we work together to make Pottstown the strongest, most equitable, and most sustainable community it can be in all respects,” Fisher said.

Sulaiman Rahman is the CEO at DiverseForce, Philadelphia, a human capital solutions firm that specializes in recruitment, retention, and development of top diverse talent in the workplace as well as on governing boards. His remarks and Q&A session will help Pottstown Investors Conference participants address questions about how to attract and sustain more local businesses owned and operated by people of color.

Rahman is the Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of UPPN, an organization dedicated to engaging, empowering, and connecting Philadelphia’s next generation of diverse business and civic leadership through technology-enabled events.  His numerous leadership positions include, among others, membership of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and the Community College of Philadelphia, where he is vice president of the Executive Committee.  

This year’s conference also will feature personal stories of a few Pottstown small business owners who have shown remarkable resilience during the pandemic.

Of course, updates about Pottstown business and real estate opportunities will be shared by Peggy Lee-Clark, executive director of PAID, Inc.

“PAID is proud to be partnering with Hobart’s Run, The Hill School, and The Borough of Pottstown on a program that is relevant to current and future economic development growth in Pottstown,” said Lee-Clark.   “As we prepare to leave one of the most challenging years in our history behind, we must continue to innovate and create equitable opportunities throughout the business community.  This conference is an important piece in that effort.”

Unfortunately, last year’s Investors Conference was cancelled due to the growing Covid pandemic.  The 2019 event greeted nearly 200 registrants.  This year’s team hopes the virtual format will inspire even more businesspeople and potential investors to participate, as well as individuals in government, education, and nonprofit fields with an interest in Pottstown’s ongoing revitalization. 

While in previous years a “Taste of Pottstown” lunch was provided as part of the conference, planners encourage this year’s attendees to “take it downtown” when the conference ends at 12:30 and enjoy in-person or take-out lunch from one of Pottstown’s restaurants.

For questions regarding registration, please contact Hobart’s Run Administrative Manager Stephanie Trauner at stephanie@hobartsrunpottstown.org or 610-705-1018.