Nashville at the Crossroads: Global Growth, Local Challenges, and Future Opportunities
Nashville is experiencing rapid growth, bringing with it both unprecedented opportunities and pressing challenges. On the local front, issues such as workforce readiness, housing affordability, and infrastructure—particularly transportation—remain at the center of public concern. These challenges are compounded by broader economic uncertainty and federal policy disruptions.
At the same time, Nashville is positioned for transformative opportunities. The redevelopment of the East Bank presents one of the city’s most significant growth prospects, while international connections continue to expand. From new international flights and an ambitious tourism push, to showcasing Nashville globally through its music, culinary scene, and cultural assets, the city is actively elevating its international profile.
Middle Tennessee is also witnessing the steady expansion of international companies and an influx of foreign investment, further reinforcing its role as an emerging global hub. Together, these dynamics highlight Nashville’s dual reality: a city balancing the demands of sustainable local growth with the potential of international opportunity.
This talk will explore the critical intersection of these trends, asking what Nashville’s future could look like as it strives to overcome challenges and seize opportunities on both the local and global stage.
Friday, September 19 I 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
* Webinar Event *
Register NowFeatured Speaker: Lori Becker (Market President and Publisher of the Nashville Business Journal)
Lori Becker is a strategic executive leader with a track record of driving growth, innovation and civic impact. As market president and publisher of the Nashville Business Journal, she leads the region’s most influential business media company. Under her leadership, the organization has achieved double-digit profit and top-line revenue growth, launched scalable innovations adopted across 45+ markets, and built nationally recognized teams. She is a trusted advisor to business and civic leaders across industries, recognized for shaping Nashville’s economy through collaborative, high-impact initiatives.
A native of Bowling Green, KY., and graduate of Western Kentucky University, Lori joined NBJ in 2008 after a decade as a reporter with daily newspapers.
Lori is a board member and past chairwoman for the March of Dimes’ Middle Tennessee chapter, an executive board member for Scouting America Middle Tennessee Council and a member of the 2019 class of Leadership Nashville.
She and her husband, Michael, live in Franklin with their two children, ages 13 and 11, and two rescue dogs.
Moderator: Karl Dean
Karl Dean served as the sixth Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County. He was elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. Dean first held public office when he was elected as Nashville’s Public Defender in 1990. He was re-elected in 1994 and 1998. He served as Metro Law Director from 1999 to January 2007, when he resigned to run for the office of mayor. Karl Dean has taught at Vanderbilt Law School, Belmont University, and Boston University.
