The inaugural Porter Development Initiative (PDI) Fellows Academy brought together leaders from 6 states from business, higher education, government, economic development, workforce, and nonprofit organizations for a four-day leadership institute at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management.

Using the competitiveness framework developed by Professor Michael E. Porter of Harvard Business School, Fellows examined the economic strengths and challenges facing their regions through original research and data from the U.S. Cluster Mapping Project. Working in regional delegations, participants developed strategic Competitiveness Action Plans designed to strengthen industry clusters, expand innovation, develop talent, and increase long-term regional prosperity.

The Academy concluded with presentations of each region’s action plan and the launch of a statewide Competitiveness Action Network that will continue supporting implementation, collaboration, and shared learning among Tennessee’s regions.

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