Site Selectors Are People, Too
This show explores the relationship between the professionals who work tirelessly to match corporate investment to communities across North America. Behind every multi-million dollar corporate investment and community revitalization is a high-stress, high-stakes relationship between site selectors and economic developers.
Site Selectors Are People, Too pulls back the curtain on this intricate dance. Join our host, Devin Hillsdon-Smith, as he steps away from the spreadsheets to humanize the profession. Whether diving into actionable strategies for real estate activation, navigating the exhaustion of road-warrior travel, or tackling the mental health realities of a demanding career, this podcast brings candid conversations, expert insights, and a touch of fun to the business of building communities.
Let's get to work—and have some fun!
Listen on:
Episodes
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
In this episode, Devin explores the personal side of site selectors and economic developers, including the pressures each profession faces day in and day out. Yes, those quick RFI turnaround times seem punitive in nature, and man does it suck when you can't get a site selector to pick up the phone, but what's really going on in that person's life? What does it truly take for an economic developer to be successful in their daily tasks and long-term strategies? Let's give each other some grace, folks, we're in a tough profession with some high stakes pressure.
Saturday Apr 13, 2024
Saturday Apr 13, 2024
In this first episode, Devin sets the stage for the rest of the podcast by introducing general concepts and the people behind the profession. Who are site selectors? Who are economic developers? How do they work together to successfully match communities and corporate investment decisions? Dive into the world of economic development and site selection with a candid assessment of the people on the front line.
Friday Apr 12, 2024
Friday Apr 12, 2024
Join Devin Hillsdon-Smith, a seasoned professional with a decade of experience in economic development, as he embarks on a new journey in the world of industrial site selection. In “Site Selectors Are People, Too” Devin flips the script and takes you behind the scenes of corporate investment decisions, exploring the intricate dance between economic developers and site selectors. From the impact of real estate on economic growth to the truth about incentives, this podcast series promises to shed light on the industry’s best-kept secrets. Get ready to humanize the figures beyond the RFI and unravel the mysteries of site selection. Tune in for candid conversations, expert insights, and a touch of fun because, at the end of the day, it’s all about the people who make it happen. It’s time to get to work and have some fun!
Humanizing the Profession
Let's explore economic development and site selection from the most fundamental of perspectives, at the human level. Who are the people behind headline grabbing job creation announcements working tirelessly to find the perfect match between community and company investment? In this podcast, we explore the relationships and personalities beyond the RFI.
Join me, Devin Hillsdon-Smith, as I venture into the world of podcasting for the first time. Prepare for some laughs, lots of mistakes, and no filters.
After all, I'm a site selector, and site selectors are people, too.