ICOSA: Business Around the Globe

     Thomas L. Friedman penned "The World is Flat" in 2005, highlighting the globalization and, just as importantly, structural shifts corporations needed to undergo to take advantage of myriad opportunities. With 80% of the world's purchasing power and 95% of the world's population base lying outside our nation's border, this further spotlights the increasing shift of how, and with whom, companies do business. Innovation and entrepreneurship continue to at a pass never before seen in our planet's history and technologies allow us to communicate and travel to every corner of our flat world.

     The Colorado Business Roundtable is  excited to share some of the stories in our "Business Around the Globe" issue. It starts with our cover article, which truly thrusts Colorado onto the international stage Denver International Airport. DIA is celebrating its 20th year in operation and has done more for our international standing than any other signal factor. At 53 square miles, it is the largest airport in the United States by total land area, and runway 16R/34L is the longest public use runway in the U.S. at 16,000 feet. International flights are now commonplace and countries and elected officials continually look for additional international flights.
 

Please continue to the online magazine in order to read the rest of the Letter from the Colorado Business Roundtable.

ICOSA: Workforce Development

As business leaders representing every sector of the economy, Business Roundtable members understand that America needs a world-class, skilled workforce to lead in global innovation, ensure future economic growth, and drive job creation. We are committed to ensuring all students and workers are prepared to work and ready to succeed. A skilled, prepared workforce is the cornerstone of economic competitiveness. Yet, by many measures, the United States is failing to develop the talent that U.S. businesses need to compete in the modern global economy. Find out what some of our COBRT partners are doing to accelerate growth within industry sectors across our state and the nation.

ICOSA: Innovation and Technology Issue

New innovation and technology are the cornerstones for building a more sustainable future. Through the creation of new products and new ideas, individuals, businesses and organizations can start to adapt and change to the growing global economy. This issue showcases stories from different groups that are growing and expanding because of new technology and innovative thinking, spreading through-out their industries.

ICOSA: The Future of Commodities

Commodities as they are traditionally known, consist of things like agricultural products and fossil fuel resources, but what if we widened that lens and thought about commodities differently? This issue delves into not only commodities as we know them but also commodities like time and people. We're interested in what drives the direction of all types of markets and how our view of them has evolved and changed over time.

ICOSA: Economic Development

Economic growth seems effortless during prosperous times. Business earnings jump, equity investments grow and spending increases. Sustained economic growth means being able to maintain these indicators over time. What is it that sustains these organizations over time and what helps them make it in good times and in bad?

ICOSA: Energy

Energy is the lifeblood to both developed and emergent economies. At its best, energy has helped to accelerate growth and provide jobs. At its worst, it has been the underpinning of conflict and a disproportionate amount of despair. Depending on your socioeconomic status, energy can be either your friend or your foe.

While energy can be an economic stimulant we also have to be aware of its availability and how to consume it responsibly. It is characteristic of humans to ignore solutions from the past, to instead plow on, overcoming barriers rather than ignoring them. Because energy is so important, we at the COBRT wanted to illuminate what is going on in and around this sector.

Biennial of the Americas 2013

Immersing itself in an international festival of ideas, art and culture for the 2013 edition of the Biennial of the Americas, Colorado once again demonstrated its commitment to inspiring thought-provoking solutions. From July 16-19, 2013 thousands of Colorado residents and international guests participated in more than 23 events throughout Denver.

With the support of more than 80 sponsors, 19 thought partners and 21 cultural partner organizations, visitors had the opportunity to explore provocative art and architectural exhibits, attend stimulating parties and engage in incredible symposia and peer-to-peer workshops capturing the richness of the Americas.

Draft Urbanism transformed downtown Denver with four large-scale architectural installations and eye-catching urban signage. The First Draft exhibition at the McNichols Civic Center Building featured the work of 22 Colorado artists and drew more than 500 local and international guests on its opening night. The Biennial’s cultural partner organizations, including its lead partner the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, presented film and documentary screenings, public events, parties, performances and exhibitions showcasing Denver’s vibrant and thriving cultural scene.

Beyond the art and cultural programming, the Biennial’s symposia and peer-to-peer workshops convened leaders in business, government, philanthropy and the arts to examine critical issues around the theme Unleashing Human Potential: Reinventing Communities, Business, and Education. Four evenings of thought-provoking discussions between 256 renowned experts led by media icons including Tina Brown, Arianna Huffington, Don Tapscott and Patricia Janiot provided a platform for innovative ideas to be sparked, discussed and acted upon with the aim of enhancing the quality of life in the Americas and beyond.

Thank you to everyone who made this incredible celebration a success. We look forward to building on this year’s discussions in the 2015 Biennial of the Americas and hope you’ll join us.

Sincerely,

John W. Hickenlooper

Governor