{"id":846905,"date":"2026-09-14T00:22:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T00:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/846905\/"},"modified":"2026-09-14T00:22:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T00:22:15","slug":"whats-next-for-north-idaho","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/846905\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s next for North Idaho?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year marks five years since I stepped into the role of President and CEO of the Coeur d\u2019Alene Regional Chamber. In some ways, it feels like yesterday. In others, I look back at how much has changed and am incredibly proud of the work we\u2019ve done together.<\/p>\n

Thanks to an outstanding board of directors and an incredible Chamber team, we\u2019ve been on a mission to continually evolve our organization, strengthen the value we provide to our members, and better serve our community.<\/p>\n

A big part of that work has been asking questions. Where are the gaps? What do our businesses and community need? Where can the Chamber bring people together in ways that make a difference?<\/p>\n

Last year, one of those questions led us to young professionals.<\/p>\n

We saw a need to better engage emerging leaders, connect them with experienced executives, and prepare them for greater leadership within their organizations and our community. That led to the pilot of NEXTGEN Coeur d\u2019Alene. This week, we launched our first full-year program, bringing participants and mentors together for a year of leadership development, executive mentorship, relationship building, and community engagement.<\/p>\n

And now, we\u2019re asking another question: What role can the Chamber play in growing North Idaho\u2019s technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem?<\/p>\n

North Idaho is already home to innovative technology companies, talented entrepreneurs, and people building some pretty remarkable things. At the same time, businesses in every industry are trying to understand how technology, particularly artificial intelligence, will change the way they work.<\/p>\n

There is a tremendous opportunity to bring those worlds together.<\/p>\n

How do we better connect and support entrepreneurs? And how do we tap into the knowledge of our technology leaders to help traditional industries \u2014 from healthcare and manufacturing to hospitality, construction, finance, and professional services \u2014 use technology to become stronger, smarter, and more competitive?<\/p>\n

Our first step is coming Wednesday, Oct. 21, when the Coeur d\u2019Alene Regional Chamber partners with the Idaho Technology Council to bring iTECH Summit Inland Northwest to The Coeur d\u2019Alene Resort.<\/p>\n

The morning is designed to bring business leaders, technology professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, investors, and community partners together to learn, connect, and explore what\u2019s possible.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll hear from two keynote speakers sharing perspectives on entrepreneurship, innovation, AI, and the future of business. Two thought-leadership panels will bring business and technology leaders together for a practical conversation about the future of work and how organizations are innovating and adopting AI and technology, and the other featuring incredible AI Innovators in our area.<\/p>\n

Then comes something I\u2019m especially excited about: the IDEA\u00b2 Lightning Pitch Showcase.<\/p>\n

Entrepreneurs will take the stage with one slide and one minute to share one big idea. It will be fast, fun, and an opportunity to put great ideas in front of business leaders, investors, and potential partners. We will have a panel of judges and even the audience will get to cast their vote!<\/p>\n

Throughout the morning, our Innovation Expo will showcase technology, products, services, startups, and some of the innovative work already happening across our region.<\/p>\n

But Oct. 21 is really a starting point.<\/p>\n

We want to bring together people who may not normally find themselves in the same room \u2014 the entrepreneur with a new idea, the technology leader who understands what\u2019s possible, and the established business owner wondering how technology could improve a process they\u2019ve done the same way for years.<\/p>\n

Five years into this role, I remain convinced that one of the most important things a Chamber can do is bring the right people together, listen, learn, and create opportunities for collaboration.<\/p>\n

So, to our business leaders, technology professionals, entrepreneurs, innovators, and those simply curious about what\u2019s next: join us Oct. 21. Register here: https:\/\/bit.ly\/4gKMu0Z<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s learn from one another, build new connections, and help make North Idaho a place where technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship thrive.<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n

Linda Coppess is CEO and president of the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber.<\/p>\n

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