Leaders to envision future at seminar

Representatives of Carson City, Lyon, Storey and Douglas counties, the Washoe Tribe and local businesses came together Friday to explore the challenges and goals of regional planning through a project called "Futures Game."

The event was led by Australian David Beurle of Innovative Leadership and hosted by the Carson Nugget and the Northern Nevada Development Authority.

Rob Hooper, NNDA executive director, said the daylong event highlighted regional cooperation among municipalities and businesses.

The interactive "Futures Game" exercise had participants making decisions based on complex sets of scenarios for a fictitious community. It emphasized cooperation and problem solving, and encouraged the group to look at community problems in a new way.

"We as a region have the power to craft our own future ... We have to have the positive dialogue about who we want to become, and we have to work together to get there," Hooper said. "We are facing right now a rapidly changing world and if we don't get it right, we as a region are in trouble."

Star Anderson, the general manager of the Carson Nugget, said her staff that attended the seminar enjoyed discussing how local leaders can be more effective in a community.

"As leaders we need to step up to the plate and voice our opinion and help our community to stay viable," Anderson said.

Tyler Rupert, the assistant project manager for the Washoe Tribe, said he found the exercise helpful, adding more communication among leaders is important.

"I would like to see cooperation among all entities, mainly Carson City and Douglas County," said Rupert, noting the dispute over the Topsy Lane shopping center.

Storey County Manager Pat Whitten said 10 members of his staff attended the event.

"It was a great team-building experience for the entire Western Nevada region," Whitten said.